What is a good C++ compiler (I don’ t think that is the right word - I mean a program that you can both write code in and then compile with) for Windows XP?
Recent previous thread on the subject
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=319247&highlight=compiler
The term you’re looking for is “integrated development environment”, commonly abbreviated IDE. However, everyone I work with generally refers to it as a compiler.
I would say the Microsoft Visual Studio IDE is generally regarded as the best in the industry. Expensive though if you can’t get it through work/university.
Visual C++ Express is available for free (public beta) at the MSDN web site.