Nomad, you raise some valid points. But the FACT remains that if a person (especially a beginning student) learns C++ by using the VC++ 6.0 compiler, they will HAVE TO adopt practices which are NOT compliant with the standard, and will NOT compile or execute on other (more compliant) compiler, including VC++ 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0.

My company provides technical screening services to a number of firms. Out standard C++ test contains a number of questions specifically designed to determinine if the application is biased by 6.0 to the detriment of their ability to write compliant code.

Candidates who provide the "correct for 6.0" answers are almost always eliminated from consideration, even if the remainder of their test score is decent.

There is simply NO REASON for someone to be using a product which has been out of mainstream support for over half a decade, especially when (as you pointed out) there are newer products available for FREE!