Err, CodeBlocks uses the compiler. CodeBlocks is basically a fancy text editor. You could use Notepad if you really wanted. But the nice thing about CodeBlocks, or other IDEs, is that they usually provide nice syntax highlighting, and have some built in "build" button that will run the compiler on your code. Sure, you could just install the compiler and run it from the command line, but I'd suggest using some kind of IDE. Either CodeBlocks or Visual Studio are your main chioces for an IDE.
Running the compiler from the command line doesn't really free you from setting up the compiler either. It still needs to be installed somewhere, and the libraries and header files have to exist in some folder. Plus you still need to work on your project, and somehow make references back to those libraries and header files.
I can maybe look into this furthur, but I'm pretty busy over the next few days. If someone else who uses CodeBlocks isn't able to help, you'll probably be waiting at least a couple of days before I can give a useful answer.