What is MFC?

[evil_gamer]

I know MFC = Microsoft Foundation Class, but what exactly is it? Is it the only way to create programs with a GUI, or what?

I tried the MFC wizard in Visual C++ and ended up with a bunch of links and other stuff, Classes, Source Code files, and that was just for a SDI (single Document Interface)!

[Wynd]

MFC is a bunch of classes that simplify Windows programming, but they a) are slow, b) require runtimes, and c) hide from you what's going on. In short, MFC = bad.

[sail3005]

if you are gonna use MFC, you might as well just save time and use VB

[abdul]

Microsoft Fully Crap



(BTW use the above answers)

[Chris]

Originally posted by Wynd
MFC is a bunch of classes that simplify Windows programming, but they a) are slow, b) require runtimes, and c) hide from you what's going on. In short, MFC = bad.

better go for normal C++ and API function call

[Megatron]

MFC enscapulates the Win32 API to simplify it, but the downside is that you have to lug around the MFC DLLs with you.

While MFC is generally considered bad among lesiure programmers due to its inconvience, some of the large companies require you to work with MFC. Because of that, it's a good idea to know a little MFC (even if you don't plan to work with it yourself).

[Vlatko]

I am not a favourite of MFC but sometimes it can be your choice because there are some things that are a real hell with Win32 API. Also a lot of proffesional applications written in C++ use MFC.

[CornedBee]

vc++ for example is MFC.
MFC extremly simplifies the following:
MDI
Saving complicated data structures
and some others

it also seems to make some things harder.
subclassing
multithreading

It's up to you if you want to use MFC. I like it, and I don't think spped is much an issue for normal applications. If you want to distribute over the internet, you should stay with API however, since the MFC dlls are pretty big (although they should be installed together with windows, you can never count on it)