Who is proficient in C++ here? I tried it before since it is part of our school curriculum. I find the development time much greater than using Visual Basic. There is indeed hard coding here. But it seems that C++ is the industry standard when creating programs and games.

C++ has power. VB might be part of a program at higher tiers, but C++ is very versatile, and scalable as far as the programmer is capable. Compare this to Java, which although you can run full fledged programs with, they start to bog down. If you want to write a cross-platform programming, writing portable C++ code is a lot easier on the processor, than writing some nice Java. Java just can't handle all that (read: Azeureus, Frostwire/Limewire, etc).

You do have to work at C++, you have to put a lot of time into it to get much out. You need a absolutely soundproof rendering system in place (OpenGL will do it). And if you lay your groundwork wrong, expect the scalability of your program to be limited. C++ isn't that forgiving on coding practices, yet it's light enough on the processor that if you have a few little wastes of cycles, it's not going to be the end of things.

I studied C++ in my 10 th grade and during engineering course and honestly i think it sucks . I know I am in minority but i really hate this language may be cuz i scored very poor marks for my practicals..

I like this language very much it makes me deal with things much much better .
understanding this language is not that tough .