This has been around for quite a long time and boasts a decent sized user base.
I have "tried them all" and I recommend:
If you really want to get your hands dirty (C++), choose
Dark GDK {there is a .NET version but it is a clumsy port IMHO}
My favorite is
DXStudio. I have a
blog with tips/tricks based on my experience.
DXStudio uses ECMA Javascript (before you balk, give it a try!) and has the absolute best support on the planet.