As an ArcGIS C++ API developer, you can choose any development environment as long as you use a supported compiler, as noted on the System Requirements pages. However, if you want to use an integrated development environment (IDE) on Windows, Visual Studio .NET 2008 (9.0) is recommended. If you don't want to use an IDE, you can write your code in any text editor and compile it from the command line. If you choose this option, it is recommended that you use the Windows nmake utility, the Solaris make utility, or the Linux make utility, accessed from the corresponding command prompt. Your choice of development environment depends entirely on your personal preference and the tools available.
You are also able to mix and match by coding in one development environment and compiling in another. For example, you can write code in Visual Studio but compile and build it via a script utilizing the command-line tools. Keep in mind, however, that Motif code will not compile or run on Windows.