I'm coming from a Java background and am new to C++. Which free (cost-wise) IDE/plugin combo do you recommend? I run Windows 7 and Linux. I've used Visual Studio for C# and Eclipse for Java.

For C++, I've dabbled in VS and Eclipse CDT. Despite the majority in favor of Visual Studio, I prefer Eclipse for the reasons below. Are my reasons well-founded?

• When organizing source code, I have to create a new subproject in VS. In Eclipse I just create a new src folder, which feels less bulky and more organized.
• Eclipse creates a header file automatically with a class file, both pre-populated with method stubs, VS doesn't.
• Eclipse is portable, i.e. don't need to Windows to run an IDE.

But neither IDE can refactor header files. How am I suppose to undertake a big project? I change class names all the time (OCD).

I use VS but I pretty much don't have much choice. I agree that VS support for C++ is weak and I'm pretty sure you are stuck doing a lot of tedious work when refactoring. What kind of C++ coding are involved with?

You should not be using VS without VAssistX. The search, autocomplete, and refactoring is superior.

Cool, thanks. I am also stuck using VS 2008 now due to the compatibility with the plug ins I need to use. Looks like VAssistX does support VS 2008. I'll see if I can get it as it looks a really nice plug in.

VIM/Emacs are popular editors for working with existing code but I don't think they provide a lot of project management features you are looking for.

For me it isn't project management, it is about defect analysis and removal tools that the plugins provide and the build scripts,

I used devcpp for a while back when I had to deal with C++. It was pretty good, but I also wasn't doing anything too difficult. I don't know if it will do what you want, but it's probably worth checking out.

Thanks it looks interesting.

I don't want to create a whole other thread, but can anyone tell me what a good editor for Ruby is? This is my very first foray into coding of any kind. I'm just learning so I know almost nothing. I downloaded Nitrous, but not exactly sure what it is or how to use it. I also downloaded what I thought was a Ruby editor, but it doesn't load.

I just want to screw around writing simple programs as I learn to code. But even though I can write some very basic programs now (using another training website's editor), I don't even know enough how to do it on my own. I'm hoping I'll learn this as I get further into the my learning courses, but was hoping someone could just explain a little about what first steps I should take. Thanks.

Generally people in the Ruby/Python world use their favorite text editor and the command line. It's fast and effective.The focus is on individual open source tools, not an integrated environment like Windows or Java world.

There is RubyMine which is probably the best.

Thanks for responding muttiah. The problem is, I am so new to this that I didn't even know I could use a text editor like notepad++ to write in. I thought you need some special editor. And don't I still need something to run the program? When I write a simple program using notepad++ and run it from a command prompt, it doesn't quite work. It prints, but doesn't actually run the program like it does when I use codecademy's editor.

Oh well. I guess I'm just going to have to keep learning and play around by trial and error until I become more familiar with what to do. But I do appreciate your response. Thanks.

Hey lestat, having read some of your recent posts in other forums I am familiar with your situation. I don't know anything about Ruby really so I can't help there. Maybe a separate thread would be better for you to get you up to speed faster.

Thanks adios. I just wasn't sure if this is the place to post complete noob questions like the ones I would have. Almost everyone here seems waaaaay beyond what I need to know. But maybe I'll give it a shot. Thanks again.

Lestat, we all have to start somewhere* and there is no shame in creating a new thread about how to get started with Ruby and running the command prompt with it.

I'm not a huge fan of LCTHW, though I'd recommend it way above Codecademy any day of the week. I post it for you because he describes exactly how to set up Ruby in all the OS's: http://ruby.learncodethehardway.org/book/. He suggests using Notepad++, gedit, or Text Wrangler. He warns against advice using emacs or vim, and he is absolutely right here. I'd definitely steer away from an IDE for right now as well.

*Recall we all came here as poker morons and I just started programming 2 1/2 years ago. This forum is an amazing resource and there are posters of all levels here. No one will get mad at you for starting out.

Thanks. I will try posting some questions. I really appreciate that link. It seems to be exactly what I was looking for.

It's interesting to hear you opinion on codecademy. I got the impression I wasn't learning in enough depth. It's basically getting through the lessons, but you can't always understand why you're doing what. Have you heard of The Odin Project? I stumbled across it and am very impressed so far. I think I can pick up a lot from it. Anyway, thanks again for the support and link. I really appreciate it!

In a nutshell, you stated my opinion of Codecademy. I haven't heard of the Odin Project.

bit late, but wanted to +1 this.

Silly question but did you save it as the correct type of file (for example, hello.py for a python script)? Notepad is going to save everything as .txt by default

I'd love to hear what you think the best learning resources are, perhaps in another thread. I see you made some posts in A thread of resources, but they were from 2011 and you seem to have changed your mind about LCTHW since then.

I think any good resource will have a ton of re-enforcing exercises, which LCTHW definitely lacks. I get it from the perspective of copying out code and learning it that way, but the trap is that it could accidentally teach you that code is syntax. The resource itself is fine if you are trying out the basics such as getting the computer set up and tooling to work, but not good if you want to learn to program.