What is the best C++ Integrated Development Environment for a noobie?

March 3, 2014 10:18 AM

I'm not a complete noob when it comes to programming. I started off in TRS-80 basic and progressed to Pascal, Visual Basic, Matlab, and a bit of assembly language and HDL.

I know in a strictly "textbook" sense what makes an object oriented program (encapsulation, methods, etc.) but have no real experience bending code with OOP and I need some quickly! A job may be materializing for me in which I need to have some smarts in C++ to be competitive.

And so with all that in mind, what is the best C++ IDE for a noobie? What IDE is going to enable me to grasp the concepts, syntax, and usage of C++ as quickly as possible?

If it comes with a compiler then that's a bonus.

If you have a better idea (like a specific on line course perhaps?) than just a popular Amazon.com book on C++ and my own stumbling around in the dark then let's have it.

Thanks in advance!

posted by Lord Fancy Pants to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

The Visual Studio IDE is the most advanced available, but it'll cost ya. There are free versions with limited features/licensing. You'll find that knowing C++ and knowing OOP are only somewhat related.
posted by j_curiouser at 10:58 AM on March 3, 2014

The free version of Visual Studio is definitely good enough for learning. If the job involves Windows C++ programming, it's very likely that the shop uses Visual Studio and it will be helpful for you to know the IDE in addition to C++ itself.
posted by scose at 12:24 PM on March 3, 2014 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Update:

In case you all are wondering, my OS is Windows 8.

Thanks!
posted by Lord Fancy Pants at 1:26 PM on March 3, 2014

Back in 2007-2008 when I was monkeying with C/C++, I liked Code::Blocks for a free IDE. I don't think it's as advanced as Visual Studio. I suppose if you're looking to make a career out of it, or doing it more than just for personal use, the Free Visual Studio version might make more sense (i.e. familiarity with the UI). Since I don't plan on that, I had no problems with Code:Blocks (at least back then).
posted by symbioid at 3:11 PM on March 3, 2014

For the bit of C++ coding I did, I used Visual Studio.
posted by pombe at 3:58 PM on March 3, 2014

Visual Studio. The free version is good enough for your needs.
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:37 PM on March 3, 2014