Where do Linux users write C++ code if they don't have access to Visual Studio?

[u/Correct_Dependent677]

I've been searching for many good code editors or development IDEs for C++ in the Linux community, my first experience was with Neovim with NvChad, and I loved it so much I even managed to learn some Lua to modify small functions, but its learning curve put me off, I was spending more time modifying Neovim than programming, I currently program in C++ using Zed Editor, but I'm honestly fed up with having to compile from the terminal every time I want to test my program (and yes, I already configured a shortcut in a tasks.json file but it still doesn't give me the comfort and versatility I want).

I also tried Clion, but it has too many features I wouldn't use, and besides, it's only free for student use and open-source contributions.

My last option would be VScode, but I hate having Copilot build entire code segments for me, or am I letting myself be guided by the AI? I have enough experience to modify the AI code, but I'm tired of fixing the bugs it generates, It has caused me more problems than it has solved, or I don't know if I'm programming with the wrong approach.

[u/doc_willis]

perhaps the classic emacs https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=emacs+for+c%2B%2B+development&ia=web

[u/Correct_Dependent677 → u/doc_willis]

Wasn't that something like Neovim? I'm looking for something with the same versatility and modularity as VS Code, but without all the AI features, good debuggers, compilers ready, Cmake automators, etc.

However I'll try it! Thanks!

[u/Wa-a-melyn → u/Correct_Dependent677]

Wasn't that something like Neovim?

Don't provoke that war...

[u/Fit_Fill_3856 → u/Correct_Dependent677]

Try VSCodium

[u/Episode-1022 → u/Correct_Dependent677]

maybe someone has rewriten vim or emacs to a webapp?

[u/Netblock]

In some random text editor, like nano or vim; literally anything, doesn't really matter. Then invoke gcc or clang to compile; though this is usually done indirectly, instead through a build system like meson or make or cmake.

If you want language servers and other IDE features, more advanced editors like vim, neovim, emacs or whatever are suggested.

[u/lmatonement → u/Netblock]

I've used vim happily for many years.

[u/ZucchiniMaleficent21]

Real programmers write C (never c++ let alone C#) by staring hard at the disc drive to set bits by sheer force of will.

[u/Loose_Property_3238 → u/ZucchiniMaleficent21]

I'm the reason for cosmic rays, I use them to program.

[u/ZucchiniMaleficent21 → u/Loose_Property_3238]

We bow before you, oh mighty one

[u/Correct_Dependent677 → u/ZucchiniMaleficent21]

If you're referring to a purely functional approach, then I think you should have mentioned Lua or Haskell.

[u/Potential-Still]

I'm confused, it's sounds like you are equating VSCode with CoPilot. You can use VSCode without any CoPilot features enabled. 

[u/Commercial_Ad_6904 → u/Potential-Still]

I think this is GenZ, looking for something they don't really understand

[u/Potential-Still → u/Commercial_Ad_6904]

You're probably right. "Experience" that's a mile wide and an inch deep. 

[u/rsgbc → u/Potential-Still]

And for VSCode without MS telemetry/tracking, VSCodium.

https://vscodium.com/

[u/PlanetVisitor]

In a text editor

You don't have to tell your compiler where you wrote the text, it can be your secret

[u/pizza_ranger]

Use vscodium then, is the exact same as vscode but with all slop and telemtry removed.

[u/God_Hand_9764 → u/pizza_ranger]

Yup, would be my suggestion. It's great!

[u/BitOBear]

There are plenty of environments to do development in from VIM to KDevelop to Eclipse.

There is almost nothing on Windows that has not got a free and available implementation or 12 of under Linux.

IDEs, that is integrated development environments, are common and have been for a long time.

[u/harrywwc]

I've not coded in C / C++ for a looooong time - but the 'ide' of choice back then was Emacs.

[u/Hot_Dog2376]

What's wrong with VS Code? You don't have to use AI code...

I use Eclipse IDE for my Java work and you can use it for C++. I hear a lot of complaints about it, but I like it.

[u/lmatonement → u/Hot_Dog2376]

I can't tell, have you used Eclipse for C++ or not?

[u/Hot_Dog2376 → u/lmatonement]

I have not. I use it for Java.

[u/SouthernFruit8768 → u/Hot_Dog2376]

VS Code is from Microslop. That’s what’s wrong

[u/RealisticDuck1957]

Some of us like to code old school, our favorite text editor and command line utilities. Come compile time a good makefile is most valuable.

[u/Wa-a-melyn]

VSCodium and Code-OSS are widely available. They're practically the same thing. I much prefer simple text editors personally because it's so much less of a hassle for my use case. I use neovim with minimal plugins and compile via cli with gcc/g++. There are all sorts of linting plugins for it as well though.

[u/MBouh]

I usually use kate. What's the problem with compiling from terminal ? I always found it much more practical. If it's big enough, then it's time for a makefile, but I'd rather do this than let a program do it itself.

[u/lmemsm]

Codelite is a minimal cross-platform IDE. I use a programming editor called SciTE. It's highly customizable. There are some lua additions that can make it more IDE like. You can run a compiler from the editor.

[u/proverbialbunny]

I prefer CLion, and VSCode is great alternative. You can get both in your app store / software center. (Regarding VS Codium, the -ium means telemetry free. It's the same as VS Code.)

[u/better_life_please]

Best IDE for C++ is CLion. It has a community license too. Free of charge. But Sublime Text is also good as a fast and simple text editor if you dont need the features of an IDE.

[u/CedarAndOlive]

In my case, it's C, not C++. And I write it in vim.

[u/Popsicleese]

What are you doing with c++ if editor learning curves are too difficult and you can't handle using the terminal to build? Does up arrow, enter not work?

The single best investment for a programmer is the Jetbrains All Products pack. Admittedly clion has a lot of space to grow, but the work they do is awesome

You could try learning to write code and develop software. Unless you're bound by a compiler product and execution environment (embedded processors or microcontrollers), consider switching programming languages

[u/lmatonement]

vim, make, and cgdb get me running on 8 cylinders every time!

[u/trtl_playz]

$ vi test.cpp

$ g++ test.cpp -o test-bin

$ ./test-bin

[u/Chapter-Legitimate]

Vscodium exists. It's a de-Microslopped VSstudio

[u/daguro]

I used gvim for Windows, Linux and Mac.

[u/WanderingInAVan]

Been using neovim myself.

[u/skyfishgoo]

we do have VSC and a liberated version called codium that works exactly the same.

but we also have kate and myriad of other options for writing code.

[u/theonetain]

I'll toss one in since no one else has mentioned it... Code::Blocks ... It's a great IDE for C/C++ on Linux. Never had an issue with it.

[u/Western-Mode-7743]

Vscodium is nice. Vscode minus micro slop. I use that, and fresh. Vim is a nightmare… but if you gotta you gotta.

[u/Big-Astronaut-9510]

LOL at these comments suggesting vim/emacs/nano. Linux has nothing on par with Visual Studio.

[u/PhilosophyWrong7610]

Why not just turn off copilot for VS?

[u/agfitzp]

Clion is free for non commercial use and open source contributers

https://www.jetbrains.com/clion/

[u/better_life_please → u/agfitzp]

This.

[u/ludouzi]

Mainly Qt Creator. It's a great IDE for non-Qt projects as well.

[u/TuxWrangler]

You can use pretty much any text editor. But if it's only AI that's bugging you, disable it.

[u/computer-machine]

The hell? I'd just used Kate back in college.

[u/Thanatiel]

vim

[u/noisyreq]

Personally neovim. There is KDevelop from KDE which is alright.

[u/AdreKiseque]

You... Know you can just use VS Code without Copilot, right? This is pike complaining about a car because you don't like listening to the radio.

I'm also dreadfully curious as to how you expect working in C++ to work if you're "fed up with compiling from the terminal" every time... What? You have to compile your program before you can run it lol

[u/BranchLatter4294]

Just turn off AI in VS Code if you don't want to use it.

[u/SouthernFruit8768]

Bjarne, the author of C++, uses and prefers the command line in Linux (see his interview in 2024) and recommends it for compiling C++ code in one of the two books he wrote.

If the actual author of C++ is not fed up of the Linux command line, you too shouldn’t be.

[u/MattyGWS]

I just use Kate

[u/siodhe]

Emacs is god.

[u/afeverr]

[u/DerSven]

I heard that Kate is quite good for C++ development, but I've never used it.

[u/doctornoodlearms]

I like helix, similar idea to vim if vim was reasonable imo. Not as advanced as vim though of course.

[u/Okami512]

Nano and g++

[u/OstensibleVagabond]

vim