Hey guys, I am new to using linux. I have a basic book on how to use it and im studying that. My question is this: under what is the C++ programming compiler? Is it an IDE? The book mentions that most dist. come with the compiler already but i cant find it. Also, how do i open and use it? Thanks. Travis

gcc - The Gnu Compiler Colection is the compiler.

There are several frotn-end ides you can use with it.

I have looked for the gnu and i cant find it. I did a search. I downloaded all of the things from the disk. But the only thing i have is emacs but i dont know what that heck that is. Could it possibly be under another name?

GCC is a command line utility. If you don't know how to use that, you may be looking for an IDE like KDevelop or Code::Blocks.

You can use GCC at it's easiest like this, from the terminal:
gcc test.c

For C++ programs:
g++ test.cpp

i have the kdevelop but it says its for images. I couldnt find the gcc or the g++. I dont know. Thank you anyway it was a lot of help and worth a try.

The compiler and linker should be part of the core system for any linux distro with respect for itself.
What 'Arek the Absolute' says should work on any linux distro with respect for its users. Thats my oppinion anyway.
If it is not under the core system, maybe you will find it under development tools.

Emacs is a (bogged down) editor only.

On windows, the compiler is often part of the IDE, eg. is downloaded and installed together.
On linux the compiler/linker is usually installed as part of the base system, as command line utilities. The IDE's is usually just a shell around these utilities, and they expect gcc (the compiler) to be present on your system already.

What message do you get if you run this command in a console?
$ which gcc

It says that i dont have it. I have the fedora core but i just went to a book fair and have an older version of red hat cd. I was wondering if i could download the compiler from an older version or not. I dont own the book for the fedora i got it from the library. I could always go and get it again... but id rather not have to. TY!

try installing it with

# up2date -i gcc

or

# yum -y install gcc

while connected to the internet.