Visual C++

**Comreak** · Aug 5th, 2002, 08:10 AM

I've just started working through some simple C++ tutorials that only require one source file. I was wondering if there were some way to open a source file in VC++ without having to save an entire project first. Later on I wouldn't mind saving projects first but right now it's too much of a pain. Thanks in advance.

**Technocrat** · Aug 5th, 2002, 11:05 AM

You can open a .cpp, .c, or .h file with out a project. But you can't compile, or run it with out a project in MSVC.

**Comreak** · Aug 5th, 2002, 11:17 AM

If I were to put all my code into a text file (withen VC++) and save it with the .cpp extention, would I be able to compile that with CV++?

**Technocrat** · Aug 5th, 2002, 11:36 AM

I am not sure what CV++ is but I am going to guess you mean MSVC++. Yes you could, but you need a project to compile.

**Comreak** · Aug 5th, 2002, 11:45 AM

Sorry, I mixed the letters up. Oh well, I guess it doesn't really matter anyway. Either way, thanks for the info.

**Technocrat** · Aug 5th, 2002, 11:49 AM

I am not sure, but I will guess that you might be a VB person. Its kind of like you can look at any modual with out opening a VB project, but if you want to run it you need the VB project open. Same thing in MSVC++.

**Comreak** · Aug 5th, 2002, 12:12 PM

How'd you guess?

I understood what you meant the first time, it's just a little time consuming when I'm learning the basics.

I suppose I could just use a command line compiler for the basics.

**Technocrat** · Aug 5th, 2002, 12:41 PM

Its the way a lot of people start out, myself included. Let me give you a few tips I have learned along the way.

1) Stop thinking in VB terms. Nothing is as easy as it was in VB. You have to do almost everything manually. Sooner you stop thinking in VB the better
2) DO NOT start with windows programs, start with console programs then move up. You need to learn the basics or everything else will be really confusing.
3) When you finally move on to Windows don't use MFC, use API first. Then if you really want to use MFC later you can.
4) Stop thinking in VB!

Good luck to you. Going from VB to C/C++ is a hard road because you get a bit spoiled using VB. Turst me, been there done that.

**Comreak** · Aug 5th, 2002, 12:57 PM

I don't think I need to worry about working on windows programs yet. I bought myself a book that starts out with the basics and slowly moves torwards the more complex stuff. I'm already starting to see some thing I like about c++. Vb just seems a bit too "loose" at times, if you know what I mean.

The real troubles are going to come when I have to learn hex and binary. I'm absolutly terrible when it comes to math.

**Technocrat** · Aug 5th, 2002, 01:05 PM

Good thats the way to do it. Which book do you have?

Yeah Hex can be a bit confusing, sometimes. Binary is really easy if someone can teach it to you well.

**Comreak** · Aug 5th, 2002, 01:11 PM

It's called "Sam's Teach Yourself C++ in 24 Hours". I like the Sam's line of books, they are fairly easy to understand and they start out very simple. The first couple of exercises are all console based and best of all, they don't cater to any specific operating system(ANSI/ISO compliant).

The hard part about binary for me will be doing it in my head.

**parksie** · Aug 5th, 2002, 01:12 PM

Do they use iostream.h or iostream? If it doesn't start with things like containers and algorithms (the building blocks of good C++) then take a look at Thinking in C++ (www.bruceeckel.com). Trust me, I've tried, and using the STL's pattern makes some things a damn sight easier; not just to write, but to *read* as well.

**Technocrat** · Aug 5th, 2002, 01:18 PM

If you do a seach on books you will find a ton of them listed here. That question gets asked at least once a month. I have never read or heard much about that book. I think 24 hours seems like a bit of a stretch.

The book Parksie talks about is pretty good. I really liked Beginning Visuall C++ by Ivor Horton.

Parksie our STL and IOSTREAM pro

is right in learning things like that will make your programming life ALOT easier.

**Comreak** · Aug 5th, 2002, 01:19 PM

They say to use iostream because it's the newer ANSI compliant version. They didn't start with containers or algorithms either. Starting to get interesting.

I don't think they meant it in the literal sense. The book is broken down into 24 chapters. I don't plan on going through each chapter in an hour, lol.

**parksie** · Aug 5th, 2002, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by Technocrat
Parksie our STL and IOSTREAM pro

Damn straight when I can remember the darn manipulators (other than the big wodges of cash

).

The algorithms aren't dead important, but they're good to know and if you program round them you can slot your code into the library more easily.

**Comreak** · Aug 5th, 2002, 01:30 PM

I know this is a bit off-topic but what do you guys think about vb.net?

**Zaei** · Aug 5th, 2002, 01:47 PM

Another off topic, but Im thinking its about time to get another good reference book. What would be a good reference for the STL?

Z.

**Comreak** · Aug 5th, 2002, 01:50 PM

Don't want to sound new or anything , but what's the STL(might as well ask while your asking about a book on it)?

**Zaei** · Aug 5th, 2002, 02:09 PM

Standard Template Library. It includes a whole lot of useful objects, such as the vector, list, queue, stack, to name a few.

Z.

**parksie** · Aug 5th, 2002, 04:23 PM

http://www-h.eng.cam.ac.uk/help/tpl/talks/C++.html

**Zaei** · Aug 5th, 2002, 08:52 PM

Great link, parksie, thanks!

Z.

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