IDE for C++ programming in Windows. Any recommendations?

[ThatsABigOne]

Hello! I am looking for an IDE for C++ programming. With me being tired of using Linux terminal, I want to experiment programming on Windows side. I do not like Visual Studio as I can never the the play button to work. :hmm: And it is a little heavy for my needs. I am looking for something light, and yet include a compiler and a debugger.

Thank you in advance.

 

[slugg]

Visual Studio *is* faily massive. I'll give you that...

But you should consider Visual C++ Express. It's a slimmed down version. It still probably has way more than you need, but it really is the easiest thing to use and is overall awesome. Microsoft's development tools are stellar.

But if you don't want to swat a fly with a baseball bat, I've always enjoyed Code::Blocks (www.codeblocks.org). That's a good happy medium. The great part is that you can easily switch between compilers on each project, even Microsoft's compiler. It's simple, useful, and easy.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Huh, I have never heard of this before. Thanks for recommendations.

 

[think2]

Another useful IDE is Ultimate++
http://www.ultimatepp.org/
Windows or Linux.
It's open source with BSD license, all written in C++. Good forum too.

 

[videogames101]

Dev C++

 

[raf051888]

Netbeans works for C++ also.

 

[LumbergTech]

QT Creator

 

[nickbits]

Figure out visual studio.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I like visual studio. It's worth figuring it out.

 

[Crusty]

I like visual studio. It's worth figuring it out.

Agreed, if you are targeting Microsoft Operating Systems it really is the best thing to use. Even the Express edition makes it easy.

Besides....I'm quite happy now that I found out about VsVim... haha

 

[homercles337]

VS is, hands down, the best IDE for windows. It is so much better than everything else that there is no real comparison. You should learn to use it, you wont regret it.

 

[Fandango21]

I agree with Visual Studio. I'm not an experienced programmer at all but it's got several nice features and I've enjoyed using it so far. I got VS Professional from www.dreamspark.com.

 

[Albatross]

http://www.codeblocks.org/

 

[BrightCandle]

Even eclipse has a set of C++ mods and a package on their site. But Visual Studio is where it is at and the best thing to invest time in learning.

 

[masteryoda34]

I've successfully used the NetBeans C++ plugin on Windows with mingw or cygwin compiler toolchains.