Thanks for the responses!
If you're just making offline tools and load time doesn't matter use Java or C#. If youre going to be using it in game, suck it up and C++ your way trough it.
Yes, I'm just making offline tools, so as you say, load time isn't too important. I don't like Java much, but I'm interested in the possibility of using C# as a cross-platform language.
Out of raw curiosity, why do you need cross-platform tools?
Mostly because I don't have a PC. Also I just think it's theoretically a bit nicer.
I use C# for that -- the huge standard library does all your directory/text/regex stuff, LuaInterface makes integrating with Lua amazingly simple (I use Lua to describe a lot of my input data), and calling external compilers, etc is easy.
Wow, that stuff looks great; I'm quite intrigued by the idea of using C# now.
However Mono does make it portable if you need that, and the Mono/.NET runtime dependency doesnt bother me because only my devs need it, not my players/customers.
Okay, I'll look into Mono.