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Actually, no. The real issue is using compiler's front-end from the IDE itself. While it's true that C++ is hugely complex IDE writers shouldn't try to replace compilers (ie. trying as hard as they might they'll never get around C++ templates and their touring-completeness). MS got this right. gcc and every IDE that relies on it (like Xcode) is crippled in this regard.

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GCC is crippled in that regard, but it's a problem with gcc itself. It's written (perhaps deliberately) in a manner which makes it difficult to just use parts of it, e.g. just the back-end for code generation.

For an example of a less accidentally complex way to do what C++ templates do, look at ML's functors.

"C++ templates and their touring [sic] completeness"? I think you may be mistaken, sir.

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