Best distro for C/C++ developer
 

Career long visual studio user for C/C++ development. Slickedit is my preferred editor, but have defaulted to VS more and more as it got better.

I'm completely comfortable on a command line, I in fact prefer it to any GUI.

I have some Linux experience, but from well over a decade ago, and have no clue what distributions are better for specific tasks.

I'm also completely unfamiliar with the development tools on Linux.

What distribution would folks recommend for someone like me to start out with?

R

Debian, start with minimal netinstall, add whatever you need.

Id say any distro gcc g++ is included in them all, and you can also install codeblocks or codelite if you want a gui.

What andy78 said. Any distro has the option to install C/C++ compilers like GCC or Clang/LLVM (if they don't come pre-installed already) and any distribution will provide you with a large set of different development tools.
Test a few and see which one you like, then just set it up for your needs. It may help to start with using one of the distro-choosers, like http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/

Slackware comes with several compilers and developmental kits by default including GCC and LLVM/Clang. You'll want to focus on C++11 (C++0x) compliancy, but be ready for C++14. LLVM/Clang 3.4 is going to be your best choice honestly.

Slackware currently only has Clang/LLVM 3.3, but it is very easy to upgrade to 3.4.

Thanks everyone, I'm installing Slackware now. I used it a bit in the late 90s, I think I should find my way around after some initial confusion. :)

I'd honestly say FreeBSD, because it has CLANG as the default compiler and everything built against CLANG. One of CLANG's selling points over gcc is its more clearly written error messages.

That said, CLANG works very well on Slackware, and the process of upgrading CLANG to newer versions is extremely easy on Slackware.