I have been a Windows C++/.NET developer for a few years, and would like to start C++ programming in Unix environment.
What I think I have to do is to create Virtual Machine, install the version of Unix I would like to programm against, install C++ compiler and the rest of the development environment.
I would also like to be able to login into this Unix virtual machine using some kind of remote desktop access application (I use Remote Desktop Connection on Windows, but I heard that on Unix there is a thing called X-Window which to be used for the same purposes).
Would be gratefull if you could point be to a web site or perhaps outline all the steps I have to perform to get my Unix development environment set and running.
I am planning to do development on Solaris with Sun Studio C++ - but I have been told that these are the commercial products - so if it is true - could you recommend me some opensource counterparts - I guess some version of Linux + gcc C++ compiler would do nicely.
Thank you.