C++ vs. The Arduino Language? What are the advantages of each language when using the Arduino?

I'm thinking this is a good general question, but I'll add a bit about why I'm asking if anyone wants to give me a tip.

I'm experienced in preprocessed languages like JavaScript, PHP, and have fiddled with languages like Java and Visual Basic. In other words I know programming techniques and both classical and prototypal object orientation, but nothing about communicating directly with hardware.

I'm making an octocopter, and am thinking that an object oriented approach will be the easiest. (The software will have very many features...) However I have never written in C++.

Since this is a Q&amp;A site that's supposed to help others, only the general question presented at the beginning is of much importance, but I'd appreciate any comments on my situation.
My personal experience as professor (programming, mechatronics) is that if you have previous programming experience and you are aware of concepts as OOP, it is better to go for C/C++. The arduino language is really great for beginners, but have some limitations (e.g. you must have all your files in the same folder). And it is basically a simplification of C/C++ (you can practically copy&amp;paste arduino code to a C/C++ file, and it will work). Also it makes sense that you can go and use a full well known IDE as eclipse:

http://playground.arduino.cc/Code/Eclipse

Initially it is required a bit more of setup and configuration of your dev environment, but IMHO it is worth it for programmers with experience in any other language.

In any case, it won't harm you to start using the arduino language and the arduino IDE for a few days to get familiar with the arduino hardware and then move to C/C++ with Eclipse for really developing your project.