I decided to search for another IDE since Eclipse CDT is horribly slow and has no (functional) code completion in C++ (although it's decent in Java).
C::B is *BY FAR* the most mature IDE that supports gcc on Windows, however there's a couple of problems/issues that I have with it that's hampering me, and possibly others from adopting it. Perhaps these features exist and I just haven't found them yet?
I'm making my decision today about whether I'll stick with C::B or go back to Eclipse. I really want to use C::B over Eclipse becuase its interface is much more responsive and code completion is pretty necessary.
1. When my application crashes in the debugger, the stack tracer ends at the function call to the function that's causing the crash, *NOT* the actual line of code that's causing a crash. This can be observed by calling delete on an object twice in a destructor. The line that deletes the parent object is the final call listed in the stack trace. Eclipse will highlight the 2nd delete call as the line causing the crash.
2. Debugger doesn't work with custom make files. Apparently some changes have been made recently that's causing this, and this may or may not be fixed in the future, but I am listing it here because it is an issue for me.
3. No "outline" view that shows all the current (edit)source file's methods and variables. In Eclipse when you open a source file you can view its "outline." This is just a list of the methods in the source file. You can click on any of the methods to bring you to the first line in it's definition. This saves *A LOT* of time.
4. Key bindings are set in stone. This may or may not be the case, but I can't find how to change key bindings.
5. Find doesn't save last search term or give a "find next" option. Replace is equally feature lacking. The find/replace functionality in Eclipse is basically flawless and would serve as a good model for all IDEs.
edit: I don't mean the "search" function. Searching the whole project is amazing in C::B and sucks in Eclipse.
6. Symbols view doesn't sort anything or allow "nice" searching. I have 3600 classes in my project and nothing's sorted =(. Also an inline search function (line that in OS X or Firefox) with a radio box for "Class" "Method" "Variable" that would quickly filter the symbols view would make editing much more efficient.
Those are the majors issues that are holding me back from adopting C::B. This doesn't mean C::B is bad, the code completion is very very nice. Compiler support is excellent, and the syntax highlighting is top notch. C::B right now is choice 1 or 2 with eclipse CDT. I have tried devC++ and used visual studio and metrowerks for years, and prefer C::B to them.
Some of these features could exist already and I just haven't found them. If that's the case, please correct me.
Thanks a lot for your time.