title: C++ development on linux - where do I start?
body: <p>I decided to leave my windows install behind and am now running Debian as my default OS. I have always coded in Windows and specifically with Visual Studio. I am currently trying to get used to compiling my code under linux.</p>
  
  <p>Although I still have a lot of documentation to read, and don't expect you guys to make it too easy for me, it'd still be nice to get some pointers on where to start. I have some specific questions, but feel free to suggest/recommend anything else regarding the subject.</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>What are recommended guides on creating a make file, how do I compile from this makefile (do I call g++ myself, do I use 'make'?)</li>
  <li>Looking at other linux software, they almost always seem to have a 'configure' file. What exactly does it do? Does it only check if the required libraries are installed or does it more than just checking requirements?</li>
  <li>How do I link libraries, and how does this relate to my makefile or g++ parameters? In windows I would compile the library, include some header files, tell my linker what additional lib file to link, and copy a dll file. How exactly does this process work in linux?</li>
  <li>Recommendations for code editors? I am currently using nano and I've heard of vim and emacs, but don't know what the benefits of them are over eachother. Are there any others, and why would I consider them over any of the previous three? Note: I am not looking for an IDE.</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>Any help, links to guides &amp; documentation (preferably those that are aimed at beginners) are very much appreciated!</p>