i just started a class in data structures at my college, i don't have a C++ editor for my PC and i think i would rather use my mandrake box anyways. so what are my options for a c++ editor and compiler for my linux box?
thanks

Any text editor can be used to hack the code. Everyone has their favourite so I'm not going to suggest one or everyone will jump on me. As for a compiler use the Gnu C Compiler, obviously http://gcc.gnu.org/ . Unfortunately it's a bit of a chicken and egg situation with that, before you can compile it from the code you need to already have a working C Compiler. If you don't have one you should install it with .RPM or whatever. If you do compile it yourself, use the option ./configure --enable-languages=c,c++ or it'll take ages (like 40 minutes) if you make bootstrap and build it with all the languages it can compile. Unless you need to compile Fortran and Java or whatever

I am going to say use CoolEdit for coding, but that's just because I love it and also cos the guy who made it is from my university

Seriously though, it IS a very good,fast editor.