I want to start doing more in C++ and I want to start making things with SDL and I would like to know what pros or cons there are with using an IDE or the terminal. I've already tried both xcode and the terminal and I really like the terminal interface. But are there any more pros or cons than the IDE being a bit more user friendly?
generally speaking, the IDE can provide code completion. i havent done much programming in a terminal interface but during the time i have spent there, there wasnt any code completion to help me. that is something i do utilize pretty heavily. particularly when dealing with a new library that i have not used before.
Text Editor with terminal Vi and Emacs both are very good editors that have support or addons for almost every programming language. It is generally lighter weight than an IDE and there are less bells and whistles to distract with. The nice thing is if you change languages and use the editor the hot key/macros stay the same. There is also a bit of an epeen factor of coding in Vi
IDEs are more self contained an normally can run in just one window. Many IDEs that are purpose built for a language (like IDLE) have a bunch of features like auto complete and templates.
Tools make the job easier but don't make you a better craftsman. Try both and see which you are faster in.
It might be worth for you to look into Sublime Text. You can customize it, add plugins and create your own build system. And there is a JetBrains IDE comming out (hopefully soon).
Back in the days, I used to use jEdit for pretty much everything. Its functionality was quite limited back then, so after years of coding with it, I knew every function with its parameters by heart.
Since I'm using an IDE I have to lookup pretty much every function/method :)