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C++/CLI and compiler choice

Does Visual Studio produce only C++/CLI? I was told to avoid C++/CLI and the Microsoft compiler like plague.

I'd like to learn how to program platform independent software, so what 'true C++' compiler would you recommend? (Since from what I've gathered so far it seems that C++/CLI would bind me to Windows with it's dependence on some Windows libraries)

Solution

  • Does Visual Studio produce only C++/CLI?

    No, the Visual C++ compiler supports ISO C++03 (with a handful of conformance issues) and many C++11 features. It also supports C++/CLI and (in the upcoming version) C++/CX, but there is no requirement that you use either of those language extensions.

    I'd like to learn how to program platform independent software, so what 'true C++' compiler would you recommend?

    The best way to ensure that your C++ code is not relying on the features of one particular compiler is to compile it with multiple compilers.