C++ compiler

This is my first post on here, so sorry if this thread has been done already.

I decided a couple days ago that (for now) I want to do computer programming when I go to college in the fall. However, I'm pretty much a n00b to it. I know some basic html, and that's about it. My dad's a programmer though, and said that it's easy, and I'm pretty good with computers, so yeah. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knew of a good, FREE compiler for C++, since I guess I'm going to learn that language first, unless there's one I should get good with first. My dad's buying a book so he can learn too, so I'll have him to help me out.

Bloodshed Dev-C++ which is a GCC-MinGW based IDE is a good one. Visual C++ 2008 Express is free too.

If you only want a compiler and not an IDE there's plenty around. Here's a small list http://www.thefreecountry.com/compilers/cpp.shtml though some of them are plain C compilers and don't support C++.

i like mingw . you just need to enter g++ to compile .
or .

mingw + code blocks ( the IDE)

or visual studio

ask ur dad . he should know about it

MinGW is a good command line compiler and sets you right up for any nix compiling in the future (you just use GCC on linux, unix etc and its exactly the same usage). I never really liked the borland compiler or bloodshed dev-c++. I use Visual Studio (with its own compiler) for most of what I do now though but I don't know how good Visual C++ Express is for unmanaged C++, it seems to be mainly geared towards managed C++.

You can also try Turbo C++ Builder 2006.

Good IDE for starters...

http://cc.codegear.com/free/turbo