I've been working to immerse myself in C++ lately. I've programmed with Java, VB, and VB.NET in the past. I'm curious what compiler(s) people use and/or would suggest to me to use with C++ programming. I used a free version of NetBeans to program in Java, then Visual Studios 6.0 and Visual Studio.NET for each type of VB.
I tried using Visual Studio.NET to write C++ programs but found that it kept wanting to add extra code, and that trying to make a simple console based program was a little annoying. So far in the process of re-orienting myself with the C++ syntax and conventions, I've been using a free version of Dev-C++ (version 4.9.8.0). It works pretty well so far, but all my programs thus far have been console based. I'm about to start going through a book centered around graphics and using tools like DirectX 9 to create 2D and 3D programs in C and DirectX. I'm wondering if Dev-C++ is a good compiler to use, or if I should consider using a different compiler before I get too much farther in?
Also, is there a good source to finding an API for C++? One like the API offered on the Sun Microsystems site for Java? Something that breaks down what all functions/classes are in the STL, and a breakdown of what function each classes have? For example if I'm working with vectors and wanted to know what all functions (i.e. being(), end(), size(), push_back(), etc.) can be used with vectors. Dev-C++, or atleast the version of it I'm using doesn't appear to have one of these built in; I'm guessing Visual Studio probably has something like that built in, but I'm wondering if it's really the most user friendly compiler to use. An autocomplete feature would be nice as well; something that pop's up a little box to show me what functions are available with the given object I'm working with. My current compiler seems to have this feature, but it's intermitent when it works.
Any help or thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for any help anyone can offer.
I tried using Visual Studio.NET to write C++ programs but found that it kept wanting to add extra code, and that trying to make a simple console based program was a little annoying. So far in the process of re-orienting myself with the C++ syntax and conventions, I've been using a free version of Dev-C++ (version 4.9.8.0). It works pretty well so far, but all my programs thus far have been console based. I'm about to start going through a book centered around graphics and using tools like DirectX 9 to create 2D and 3D programs in C and DirectX. I'm wondering if Dev-C++ is a good compiler to use, or if I should consider using a different compiler before I get too much farther in?
Also, is there a good source to finding an API for C++? One like the API offered on the Sun Microsystems site for Java? Something that breaks down what all functions/classes are in the STL, and a breakdown of what function each classes have? For example if I'm working with vectors and wanted to know what all functions (i.e. being(), end(), size(), push_back(), etc.) can be used with vectors. Dev-C++, or atleast the version of it I'm using doesn't appear to have one of these built in; I'm guessing Visual Studio probably has something like that built in, but I'm wondering if it's really the most user friendly compiler to use. An autocomplete feature would be nice as well; something that pop's up a little box to show me what functions are available with the given object I'm working with. My current compiler seems to have this feature, but it's intermitent when it works.
Any help or thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for any help anyone can offer.
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