What platform to use for c++?

[Runite]

Hi,

I am going to try and learn c++ over the summer and I was wondering what platform I should use to do the programming on? I saw that there is microsoft visual studio I think but this costs £250, is there any good, free platforms out there?

Runite

[JLBorges]

> I saw that there is microsoft visual studio I think but this costs £250,
> is there any good, free platforms out there?

Visual Studio Express 2013 for Windows Desktop is free; that is all that you need.

http://www.visualstudio.com/downloads/download-visual-studio-vs#d-express-windows-desktop


If you prefer a Linux-like development environment on Windows, there is Cygwin.
http://www.cygwin.com/

[thomasm1a]

As JLBorges said, VS is actually free, at least for students.

Some other options:
CodeBlocks:
http://www.codeblocks.org/
Eclipse:
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/
Netbeans:
https://netbeans.org/

Mac - Xcode
https://developer.apple.com/xcode/