Programming

I am using emacs to write c++ code. How to configure it to let the system highlight C++ keywords, variables, etc; and let it automatically indent, just like a common C++ IDE does?

Any suggestions? Thanks!

thereis on need to programm emacs. normaly it detects c-code while loading a file.
You can also choose C-mode manual using meta-x.

Syntax-highlightning is normaly enable but can add several level. (read docs).

If you are not handy with emacs you may try xemacs, that is a bit simpler for beginners.
You can alway use your prefered indent level. like here:

(defun linux-c-mode ()
"C mode with adjusted defaults for use with the Linux kernel."
(interactive)
(c-mode)
(c-set-style "K&R")
(setq tab-width 8)
(setq indent-tabs-mode t)
(setq c-basic-offset 8))