   What is so special about microsoft visual c++ compared to other IDEs?
  Can anyone tell me the difference between Microsoft visual c++ compared to other free IDEs like devcpp?I used Visual c++ before and it's a little messy to use compared to devcpp that its so easy.Like whene you make a project there are lots of files that you don't need(well as what I think it is).Another thing that I like about devcpp is that it makes the predefined words such as #include, int, char,et al into bold letters and it directs you to the line where there is an syntax error when you compile. unlike visual c++ where you have to find it where the compiler tells you that this or that one has an error.I really don't understand what's the big deal about Microsoft Visual c++.......Can anyone tell me what?Thanks. :D[Edited by - brent_chua on December 6, 2005 9:45:54 AM]
  Many small things really, and tools like Visual Assist makes them even better. I like that I can configure the environment to get rid of all the clutter and use the keyboard to navigate, the Intellisense (at least combined with VA) is far superior to anything else, the compiler itself is much faster than GCC. Oh, and it's largely bug-free.The one big thing is a decent integerated debugger. I haven't found anything resembling a useable debugger anywhere else, at least not for Windows. This is the dealbreaker for me really, otherwise could probably have been happy with Code::Blocks.Quote:Another thing that I like about devcpp is that it makes the predefined words such as #include, int, char,et al into bold letters and it directs you to the line where there is an syntax error when you compile. unlike visual c++ where you have to find it where the compiler tells you that this or that one has an error.Visual C++ has those features too. It doesn't jump to the first error automatically when compiling but that's mostly annoying anyway, try pressing F4 or clicking on an error message instead.   ;  Visual Studio does allow you to jump to the line where a compiler error occurs. Simply double-click (or even single-click? it's so natural I forgot ;) on the relevant line of compiler output. While you're working on your code intellisense is also a big help in boosting productivity and preventing syntax errors.I personally like Visual Studio because it just works. You can download all the SDK's from Microsoft you want and almost all of them integrate seamlessly into the IDE. Now, I'm all for figuring out on how things work onder the hood, how to set up libs/includes and stuff like that, but at the end of the day, you just want to code. In my opinion, Visual Studio provides just that, without all the hassle that is common in a lot of other IDE's.   ;  Biggest 2 differences for me are a working debugger and the backup of VisualAssist.  I don't know about anyone else but the thought of not having VA's ALT-G goto definition/declaration shortcut scares me.VStudio does have a dendancy to hide away configuration and project settings but given that they don't alter much i don't find it to be too much of a pain.  As for the lots fo files problem, if i understand it right all you have to do is create an empty project at the start.FYI, you can usually get beta versions of the next Visual Studio for free.   ;Quote:Original post by doynaxThe one big thing is a decent integerated debugger. I haven't found anything resembling a useable debugger anywhere else, at least not for Windows. This is the dealbreaker for me really, otherwise could probably have been happy with Code::Blocks.WinDBG is practically the same debugger as the one included in Visual Studio. However, using Visual Studio for "normal" debugging still is more comfortable (if nothing else, syntax highlighting does work).   ;  I tried the BETA version and it's really different, it doesn't even have the "windows.h" header (I checked in the include folder). As for your problems with Visual C++, I don't really understand, I have it and all what you said is false. It does have syntax coloration (you can even customize it at your will), IntelliSense... And for the project problem, simply create an empty project and it will not even create any single file, you'll include what you want, how you want it. Dev Cpp is not superior to MSVC++ in any point, except that it's free.   ;Quote:Original post by brent_chuaLike whene you make a project there are lots of files that you don't need(well as what I think it is).;Quote:Original post by brent_chuaCan anyone tell me the difference between Microsoft visual c++ compared to other free IDEs like devcpp?I used Visual c++ before and it's a little messy to use compared to devcpp that its so easy.Thanks. :DNothing is special. It's just really expensive, bloated and filled with a million bugs. It's intellisense is more like idiotsense, it rarely works right and when it does it freezes up your computer for seconds with large projects on very fast, modern PCs with SMP... It doesn't support distributed builds at all, so you have to do your builds on a single computer, taking forever with large projects. It's compiler stinks and has a zillion bugs, it's not conformant standards. It's standard libraries are mostly broken. But only a newb needs an IDE anyways.;Quote:Original post by White ScorpionI tried the BETA version and it's really different, it doesn't even have the "windows.h" header (I checked in the include folder).You have to download the Microsoft Platform SDK and uncomment the settings for the WinAPI and MFC project types. By default they where disabled to make the download size smaller for the people who only want to program using the .NET technologies. There is an article posted on MSDN about doing this:http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualc/usingpsdk/Quote:Original post by White ScorpionCpp is not superior to MSVC++ in any point, except that it's free.I don't think its considered Beta anymore. However, the Express editions are being offered for free if you download it before time is up. Theres are a few articles on MSDN about backing up the disks to CD for furture purposes :-)http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/support/install/Search the forums here for more details. Theres been quite a few posts on the matter.Bill   ;  Two Words: Eclipse Rulez [evil], yes even for C++.I find the IDE of Visual Studio very nasty after using Eclipse. In Eclipse everything is really easy to find in VS you have to load the help files to find the simplest stuff like searching a project tree for a certain string. I don't thing people are correct to compare Dev-CPP to any of the heavier IDEs. Dev-CPP is excellent for what it is, a free, no nonsense, no BS IDE for quick and dirty rolling of applications.Neither GCC or VC++ 2005 can beat ICC yet, then again it largely depends on what benchmark you use.   