What programming languages can be used?
What's already been said before. I personally prefer C# myself. I would stay away from C++/CLI if you can purely because it's not the nicest of the .NET languages. Since you can mix managed and unmanaged code into one, you end up with alot of clashes where you have to make it absolutely clear what function you're using (which is isn't great if you're just starting out). I also find it annoying to have to use the "^" handle all of the time (though it's just a substitute for "*" really...), but that's more of a personal dislike.
What combination of OS/Programming Language/IDE is best or recommended?
And personally, SharpDevelop using C# on Windows.
For this OS/Programming Language, what kind of system support to the documentation is available?
Do you mean the MSDN Library? That's the documentation for the .NET Framework Classes. *Edit* There's also the downloadable version of the MSDN Library, but I've never used it myself so I don't know whether it covers everything that the online Library documentation does.
What's already been said before. I personally prefer C# myself. I would stay away from C++/CLI if you can purely because it's not the nicest of the .NET languages. Since you can mix managed and unmanaged code into one, you end up with alot of clashes where you have to make it absolutely clear what function you're using (which is isn't great if you're just starting out). I also find it annoying to have to use the "^" handle all of the time (though it's just a substitute for "*" really...), but that's more of a personal dislike.
What combination of OS/Programming Language/IDE is best or recommended?
And personally, SharpDevelop using C# on Windows.
For this OS/Programming Language, what kind of system support to the documentation is available?
Do you mean the MSDN Library? That's the documentation for the .NET Framework Classes. *Edit* There's also the downloadable version of the MSDN Library, but I've never used it myself so I don't know whether it covers everything that the online Library documentation does.