Hello,

I am by no means new to programming. I used to do a lot of programming mostly with Java in the past.

I have given up for a while, and now I am looking for a new language to allow me to build applications for Windows. I'd also like some sort of a GUI editor/environment so I can easily design the UI components.

I'd like to go for C++ as it is very popular (I've only done some basic Linux C programming). I can't really afford Microsoft's Visual C package. I was wondering if there is something else out there that will let me do the job. I have seen some freeware packages but I haven't tested them yet.

I prefer something not bloated, preferably conforming to standards, and the UI editor is a very important part for me also.

Thanks for any insight.

As a n00bish wannabe programmer I have also been checking out alot of editors, but I don't know if its the same thing you''re looking for.

Anyway, I found DevC++ to be one of the best freeware IDEs:

Screenshot - Download

If thats not advanced enought you might want to try Borland's C++ editor. I believe its much cheaper than the MS alternative

As a n00bish wannabe programmer I have also been checking out alot of editors, but I don't know if its the same thing you''re looking for.

Anyway, I found DevC++ to be one of the best freeware IDEs:

Screenshot - Download

If thats not advanced enought you might want to try Borland's C++ editor. I believe its much cheaper than the MS alternative 

well i use Visual C++ a lot and yes it is rather experence.. DevC++ is defintely the best option.. its very good.. better than visual C++ in many ways too

Or if you're looking for the very latest FREE C sharp

http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/Default.aspxSharpDevelop Free C++, .NET Compiler

In order to be able to either compile (source code) or run (executable) SharpDevelop, you must have the Microsoft .NET SDK 1.1 installed on that machine

http://www.dotnetgerman.com/links/dl_dotnetsdk.asp