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I'm just starting to learn programming for myself, and wondered what you guys opinions were on the best programming compiler out there, a free one of course. I've started looking at C++, and was wondering which language in scripting is the best for making games. i've heard that most games use lua language because it is easier to fiddle with setting and values.

Look into Microsoft's Visual C++
As for games, you may want to look up XNA game studio, it will allow you to make games for the PC and 360 (costs money to put it on the 360, but PC is free). XNA game studio uses Visual C#, so if you are familiar with C++, this should be easy for you. Good Luck!

Also try .NET versions of programing

thanks guys, i knew of microsoft visual basic but isnt it almost 500mb to download? our total internet downloads per month is 2gb, and we have slow internet, soo anything over 200-300mb is too big. also, the computer i'm using it on doesn't have the internet, which is what visual basic needs to be set up with, doesnt it?

what do you mean by ".NET versions of programming"?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.NET_Framework

If you're doing any sort of programming beyond the most basic stuff, using a .NET compatible compiler is highly recommended. I use Microsoft Visual Studio here at work for C++, C# and VB and wouldn't ever use anything else.