To write and run a C++ program, you must have a translator or compiler that translates C++ code into the machine language of the computer you will use.
There are many different compilers available (not just Microsoft). Some are free.
In addition, some compilers are part of IDE - Integrated Development Environment, while other compilers stand alone and must be used with other tools.
In general, one would like to have at least three tools, and the first two are essential:
Editor To write the code and save it as a file. E.g., the
same function that stand alone editors such as Notepad, Textpad,
Wordpad, Word, Emacs, Vi, etc. provide.
Compiler/Linker After the code has been written with the
editor, it must be translated to machine code (by the compiler)
and linked (by the linker!) with standard library code for
common operations such as input/output to produce an executable
program file.
Debugger This is a tool that is often provided with IDE's
that allow you to step through the execution of a program one
statement at a time and to examine and/or change the values that
are being computed.