Best C++ IDEs & Text Editors (2024)

Nowadays, C++ isone ofthe most popular programming languages due toits cross-platform capabilities and high performance. Businesses often choose this language todevelop system software, computer games and engines for them, aswell asfor scientific research. But inspite ofthis, asignificant reason why many programmers switch toanother language isbecause ofthe complexity ofthe C++ syntax and consequently, the complexity ofcoding. This requires additional control over memory allocation and release, monitoring ofdata types etc.

Toincrease the productivity of C++ specialists there are special services that allow developers tocreate software for business more efficiently and conveniently. Inthis article, wewill consider what integrated development environments (IDEs) are, how they operate, and highlight some ofthe best text editors whose functionality and superiority has been confirmed bymany developers and entrepreneurs.

Check out our previous articles, inwich wediscussed the best IDEs and text editors for React and for Golang.

What Isthe IDE for C++ and How itOperates

Anintegrated development environment isasoftware application that combines the capabilities ofperforming different developer tasks within asingle program and helps specialists towrite code faster and more efficiently.

This software package provides developers with such capabilities ascreating, editing, and testing ofthe code, which significantly optimizes their productivity.

Modern IDEs include:

• text editor,
• compiler (orinterpreter),
• debugger,
• version control system, and some other tools.

What isthe difference between anIDE and atext editor and which isbetter tochoose?

The text editor essentially isaprogram that allows adeveloper tointeract with code primarily astext. Inatext editor the specialist enters symbols and words, forming acertain computer understandable algorithm, and then sends the written code toacompiler.

Inits turn, anintegrated development environment ismore than acode editor. Itis aset oftools useful for developers. Most ofthe experienced ones use IDEs intheir work, because this software application carries out many functions and incorporates the functionality oftext editors.

The capabilities ofintegrated development environments and text editors can beextended with the help ofplug-ins. Using them, the functionality oftext editors can beextended even tosimple IDE versions.

However, there are situations where text editors will besufficient for developers tosuccessfully complete their projects. The examples ofthese cases are:

• when itisnecessary topractice code writing, without testing and debugging,
• when the complexity ofthe project does not oblige the developer touse anIDE,
• when there isnot enough memory onthe computer orthe version ofthe device used bythe developer isold enough for the IDE tobeinstalled and work correctly.

Inall other conditions IDE isauniversal tool for complex and efficient performance ofdevelopers, especially the ones specializing insuch acomplicated programming language as C++.

How tochoose anIDE for C++

Let’s list the main criteria that influence the choice ofIDEs bybusiness people for their development team:

• Programming Language. There are specialized IDEs with certain automation functions for the syntax ofspecific languages, aswell asmulti-language IDEs that support different languages.
• Operating system. Most IDEs have multiple versions for different operating systems, but there are some development environments that work better onLinux and are slower ormore buggy onother operating systems.
• Feature set. The main features that all integrated development environments include are acode editor, abuild automaton, and adebugger. Additional features vary from one toanother case. AnIDE may also include:

1. enhancements tothe code editor user interface,
2. automated feature testing,
3. support for code deployment through plugin integration,
4. refactoring support for code,
5. application packaging support.

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The Best C++ IDEs and editors: List of2024

Let’s consider what integrated development environments are recognized asthe best in2024 for C++ and what functionality they include. Wehave compiled alist ofsuch IDEs based ondata from companies offering expert operating system development and support services, such asStandard C++ Foundation, JetBrains, G2 Crowd, and others.

Visual Studio isawidely recognized integrated development environment from Microsoft that supports the development ofapplications for Windows, web, cloud, and Android.

Visual Studio allows developers tocode efficiently, reorganize work structure, analyze and fix code related issues. This IDE features IntelliSense, which predicts APIs asthey are implemented and performs automatic code completion tospeed upand improve development efficiency.

Visual Studio also has its own compiler and alot ofoptions tocustomize work. Nevertheless, referring tothe disadvantages, experts note the weight ofthe program, high price (however, Visual Studio has free Community and Express versions for individual developers and small teams) and incompatibility with Linux (without the use ofadditional tools (e.g. Wine).

Visual Studio isgreat for beginners tolearn C++ syntax features and ease the development process.

CLion isapowerful and cross-platform IDE for Cand C++ from JetBrains, suitable for C++ coding. This IDE allows tosimplify routine aspects ofdevelopers' work and focus only onthe most important tasks. CLion iscompatible with Linux, Windows, macOS operating systems. The main advantages ofthis IDE include:

• refactoring, which allows developers torename symbols, rank elements, change function signature, etc.,
• search and fix bugs inathreaded mode,
• design visual interfaces toimprove the user experience,
• debug applications with easy-to-use tools.

The functionality ofthis IDE can beextended with plug-ins, both off-the-shelf and developer-created ones.

VIM isafree text editor that helps tosimplify the work with text. Itcannot becalled adevelopment environment inits entirety. But VIM’s capabilities are extended with various plug-ins, making its functionality inmany ways superior tothat ofaconventional editor.

VIM isavailable for many systems and has three modes ofoperation:

• command mode,
• editing mode,
• visual mode.

Itwas voted the most popular editor among Linux Journal readers in2018 and one ofthe best highly specialized development environments in2019.

The interface ofthe editor isnot simple enough, sothe developer needs tospend some time learning commands, hotkeys, etc. toeffectively work with it.

The editor has amodification for use inagraphical window interface— GVim.

Visual Studio Code isawidely used text-based source code editor developed byMicrosoft and suitable for all operating systems: Windows, Linux and macOS.

Visual Studio Сode editor, like Visual Studio, makes itpossible towork with IntelliSense. This isatool that automatically terminates functions when the first letters are typed. Italso provides:

● Debugging — search for and eliminate errors inwritten code.

● Write code conveniently— automatically fill inthe necessary information, highlight syntax elements depending onthe selected language, set the necessary indentation.

● Control code versions.

● Improve code readability and performance through refactoring.

What isthe difference between Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code?

Visual Studio isapowerful integrated development environment. Itisequipped with extensive capabilities for developing and debugging complex applications. Incontrast, Visual Studio Code isalightweight code editor suitable for simple and medium complexity projects that require fast work.

QtCreator isapowerful and fast integrated C++ development environment that offers great features for developers. Itincludes astate-of-the-art C++ code editor, abuilt-in user-friendly and intuitive GUI, form designer, navigation tools and much more. Developers highlight QtCreator’s APIs and libraries asadvantages because oftheir detailed, user-friendly, and well-documented nature.

QtCreator comes with acomplete set ofdeveloper tools designed for creating applications and user interfaces simultaneously and for further deployment tovarious mobileOS and desktop PCs. Itincludes aconvenient code editor with syntax highlighting and autocomplete capabilities, the ability tocreate auser interface, avisual debugging tool and other features.

Conclusion

Looking atthe topic ofthe best IDEs for C++ indetail today, wecan summarize that there are plenty ofintegrated development environments for this programming language. Choosing aspecific IDE for C++ development, like any other developer tool, requires anindividual approach.

Based onthe specific tasks, focus and areas ofspecific business, aswell asthe underlying OS, additional requirements, team composition and other individual development factors, the choice ofthe best C++ programming environment would bedifferent.

Werecommend choosing adevelopment environment from our TOP-10. Let usassure that ifthe business' issue is C++ development, the choice ofthe main tool for the team ismost likely not final. Try different IDEs for C++, follow the updates and choose the best development environment for business.