Microsoft Visual Studio

[peterr]

Guys if i could ask a simple question as being a simple novice to c++ i would like to ask would the microsoft visual studio hold or be able to deal with the c++ programing language or is it any good for the compiling of it if not what would be the best tools for c++ as i would like to intruduce myself to the language after reading a few books on it and if anyone has good knowledge on what books to be best starting of with (novice) of course the reason being as i have the visual studio and a few small books but they are not in great detail but hope to asatain with the language. and hopefully be able to compile and understand it.......

guys like i said i am a complete novice to it all like i have stated but would hopefully that someone would take a bit of time to awnser my question would be very helpfull...

Thankyou Peter.!!

[Stupebrett]

The first C++ IDE I used was Visual C++ Express Edition. I used it to write my first "Hello, World!" program, and I still use it now. In my opinion it's pretty easy to use, though I've not tried any other IDE's. I also reccomend the book "C++: A Beginner's Guide" by Herbert Schildt if you're completely new to C++.

[Computergeek01]

It's fine for beginners and casually screwing around, but don't plan on using it for your whole life. It's also better to experiment with other IDE's, you'll find that each will have aspects that you like and dislike. Besides how else are you going to find the right tool for you?

[hanst99]

It's fine for beginners and casually screwing around

Uh what? VC++ is definitely not directed at beginners, nor is it made for casually screwing around.

[Computergeek01]

It's a relative statement hanst99 technically C++ isn't made for "beginners" or "screwing around". VC++ does a lot of the more tedious ground work for you, linking to external libraries is one example that jumps to mind.

[hanst99]

VC++ does a lot of the more tedious ground work for you, linking to external libraries

Is there an IDE that is used in real life that does not do this?

[filipe]

I also reccomend the book "C++: A Beginner's Guide" by Herbert Schildt if you're completely new to C++.

I recommend against that book. It was the first book I read on C++, and I survived, but it's not a good book.

[Computergeek01]

@ hanst99: Code::Blocks, my personal recomendation. But then again I'm a Sys Admin not a developer so maybe that's the difference?

[hanst99]

Code::Blocks is definitely a good alternative to Visual C++, especially if you are developing cross platform. However on windows platforms, Visual C++ is definitely the most sophisticated free IDE out there.

[Stupebrett]

I recommend against that book. It was the first book I read on C++, and I survived, but it's not a good book.

It though it was pretty good? The first book I read about C++ was Accelerated C++, but it was kind of hard to read and understand, mainly because the author used a very complex language to describe things. I stopped reading it and read the book from Herbert Schildt instead, and that made everything much clearer. Accelerated C++ is probably a better book, but Herbert Schildt's book is a good starter to get you prepared.

[Moschops]

Herbert Schildt's books have a reputation for being frequently misleading and wrong.

[hanst99]

My recommendation for reading material would be
1) Read the tutorial on this site and
2) once you're done with that, grab the Stroustrup and
3) once you're done with that one (or if you think you know enough), grab specific literature for whatever you want to do next (like GUI applications and stuff)