New IDE for C++ from JetBrains: Feature Overview and First Impressions

New IDE with C++ Support: First Look

The market for C++ development tools has received a significant addition. JetBrains (the creator of the famous PyCharm) has released a new integrated development environment — JetBrains C++ IDE. The project, which was in beta testing for a long time, has finally received a stable release. We decided not to delay getting acquainted and are sharing our first impressions.

What's New?

The main feature of the new product is deep integration with modern C++ tooling. The developers focused on speed and intelligent assistance. Here are the key innovations:

• Lightning-fast code analyzer. The IDE doesn't just highlight syntax — it analyzes data types, templates, and even complex metaprograms as you type. Errors are now caught instantly, rather than after compilation.
• Smart autocompletion. The system suggests not only methods and variables but also entire constructs (for example, for-range loops or RAII patterns). For experienced developers, there is autocompletion based on lambda expression signatures.
• Built-in profiler. No need to launch third-party utilities anymore. You can run the profiler directly in the editor, see "bottlenecks" in the code, and even visualize the call graph.
• Support for CMake and Conan. The IDE is fully integrated with the CMake build system (including syntax highlighting for .cmake files) and the Conan package manager. Connecting libraries becomes a matter of a couple of clicks.
• Next-generation refactoring. Renaming a variable across the entire project? Easy. Extracting a method? Instant. The new refactoring engine correctly handles even code with heavy templates and SFINAE.

First Impressions

Immediately after installation, you can feel that this is not just "another IDE," but a well-thought-out tool. Installation took less than a minute. The first thing that catches your eye is the interface. It is minimalist but informative. All panels can be customized, and the dark theme looks stylish and doesn't tire the eyes.

We tested the IDE on a medium-sized project (~50,000 lines of code using Boost.Asio). The project build went without any issues. Indexing took about 15 seconds — an excellent result. Autocompletion worked correctly even in deeply nested template classes. We were particularly pleased with the debugger integration: breakpoints, variable inspection, and call stack are integrated natively, without unnecessary plugins.

Who is this IDE for?

The tool is aimed at professional developers working with C++11, C++14, C++17, and C++20. It will be useful for creators of high-load servers and game engines, as well as for developers of embedded systems. Moreover, the IDE is completely free for non-commercial use — great news for students and enthusiasts.

Conclusion: JetBrains C++ IDE is a mature, fast, and convenient tool that can compete with Visual Studio and CLion. If you write in C++ and want to increase productivity, we recommend giving it a try. The first look is definitely positive.

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