Visual C++. It has nothing to do with Visual Basic. But yes it belongs to the suite of proprietary software by Microsoft called the Visual Studio. Being a avid programmer myself, I can say with some level of competence that VC++ is one of the best IDEs ever to come out of the Micorsoft pen.
IDE ? Whats that, u may ask? Well, in the programming parlance IDE is an Integrated Development Environment. This simply means that VC++ can be used to write the program, then compile, debug it, and then even run it. It is a complete environment which has a very powerful editor for writing programs in C or C++. The IntelliSense technology is extremely useful when you are working with codes stretching over thousands of lines of code. [I worked on a project when it stretched to nearly 10K LOC!!!] And if it isnt for VC++ such projects will only remain a dream.
VC++ combines in itself the other powerful features as MFC[Microsoft Foundation Classes, a framework to develop GUI-based programs in Windows!]. Windows programming is a cake-walk with MFC & VC++. The IDE also providec support to rapidly prototype any applications targeted for the Windows Platform. Widget based apps can be developed almost instantly!
The integrated support for web-based applications, server side projects, et al can be developed using VC++. Though there are other major IDEs like Code Warrior, KDevelop, etc for programming languages like C & C++ and which are wonderful IDEs in their own right, I will have to say that VC++ provides the biggest bang for your buck! Considering the availability of the Microsoft software and considering that it has the biggest customer base I defintely would say VC++ is one of the best IDEs ever.
But if you are a GPL fan, guess KDevelop works fine for u. And if u r a GPL software guru, emacs is just the right thing. End of Discussion.
And please dont make a flame war of this by raising a discussion on M$ and GNU/Linux.
Btw watchout for the VC 7.0. Its the BEST Beast to come out of MS stables!
Anyways,
Happy New Year and Happy Coding.