Visual C++

[Neandrake]

I was messing around with Visual C++ yesterday(haven't gotten to it yet today) and I was just screwing around with controls. Is there somewhere where I can learn from the very beginning Visual C++? I couldnt' figure out how to add tabs to the tab control and alot of other stuff.

[HarryW]

Hehe, controls is way beyond the very beginning of C++ (note that Visual C++ is just Microsoft's IDE/compiler, the language is called C++)

You should stick with console apps until you are comfortable with pointers, strings and arrays (and the relationships between them). C++ is the kind of language which you're best off getting a good book on. Beginning Visual C++ 6 by Ivor Horton (published by Wrox Press) is a good introduction, which starts off with console apps and leads into Windows apps. For non-platform specific, general C++ reference, C++: How To Program by Deitel and Deitel is good.

A book I recommend is Teach Yourself Visual C++ in 21 days.

Also, keep in mind that many of the books are written using MFC. Once you get comfortable enough with the C++ language, you can start to code your own Apps which do not use any MFC.

[Vlatko]

Here are some online free books:

Sites:
http://www.cplusplus.com/
http://www.strath.ac.uk/CC/Courses/N...e/ccourse.html
http://www.aul.fiu.edu/tech/visualc.html
http://www.gator.net/~garyg/c/cref.html

Books:
"thinking in c++"
http://www.codecuts.com/codecuts/pdf...l/TIC2Vone.pdf
http://www.codecuts.com/codecuts/pdf...l/TIC2Vtwo.pdf

http://www.itknowledge.com/reference...708/ewtoc.html

http://newdata.box.sk/bx/c/

PS: we do need a FAQ

[sail3005]

2 quick questions:

1) Does the Ivor Horton book explain API, MFC or both?

2) Does the Dietel and Dietel book explain any windows programming? Or is it just general C++?

[substring]

Dietel book, the 3rd and latest version, covers primarily on the language itself. Topics from pointers to arrays to classes to inheritance to STL, but not specifically for Windows programming. However, it is THE BEST BOOK to start on the language. You have to understand totally (not just vaguely) all those concept before you should move on to Windows programming.

By the way, the new Dietel book also includes coverage on UML.

Hope this helps.

[HarryW]

Yeah the Deitel & Deitel book is plai C++, with a very thorough explanation of the language and object orientation. The latest, 3rd edition has some UML too but I don't know what it's like since I have the second edition.

The Ivor Horton book starts off with plain C++, then moves into Windows programming with API, and then the last few chapters are based on MFC. It's apparently not very good at explaining the MFC but that didn't bother me since I don't plan on using MFC any time soon. It's a very good introduction to Windows programming with C++ & API though.

[Technocrat]

Originally posted by HarryW
The Ivor Horton book starts off with plain C++, then moves into Windows programming with API, and then the last few chapters are based on MFC. It's apparently not very good at explaining the MFC but that didn't bother me since I don't plan on using MFC any time soon. It's a very good introduction to Windows programming with C++ & API though.

Harry is right, if you want to learn MFC get a different book. Ivor does a real brief job of it. But its an excellent book on everything else. I highly recommend it.

[sail3005]

Thanks for the info, they both sound like the right books for me, but i think i better start out with the Dietel & Dietel one, because i am more interested in the language itself, and multi platform stuff, rather than windows. However sometime i will move to windows.

Sadly, you'll find that most Visual C++ books deal with MFC rather than standard API.

[parksie]

You pretty much need to learn the language before you can use the API at all...it really drops you in the deep end

For raw technical info you can get Stroustrup's book (is that how you spell it?), but it's a bit heavy in places.

[sail3005]

What is Straustrups book called?

[parksie]

"The C++ Language" I think.

I've one of Stroustroups books, it is called "The C++ Programming Language"

[substring]

Yeah, the Stroustrups book just published the 3rd edition also. It is one of the books that you *must* have for your C++ book library or your library is not complete.

That's the one I have

It's Special Edition. So it has a hardback cover, and weighs a lot.

[sail3005]

so, i gather that the complete C++ library must have:

Ivor Hortons book
Dietel & Dietels book
Stroustrups book

any others?

i better start saving my money...

[HarryW]

Not strictly a C++ book, but widely acclaimed as essential is "Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object Oriented Software", ISBN 0-201-63361-2. It's all about common problems in OO designs, and the best solutions to them. There's a second book I think, but I only have the first one.

[substring]

sail,

...and the C++ Primer book by Lippman and Lajoie.

[sail3005]

man, i just went to the book store to get the book by Dietel and Dietel (3rd edition) and it was $65 (USD)! It was colored and looked very good though.

[HarryW]

Is $65 a lot? How much were you expecting it to be?

Amazon.co.uk has it listed at £27.19, which is 20% off.

Amazon.com has it listed at $70.

I'm not sure what $65 is in UK Pounds Sterling but to me £30 isn't that much for a good book.

[sail3005]

when you don't have a job, $65 is definatly a lot.
I was expecting it to be a lot though, especially after i saw that it was in color and everything.

[substring]

I paid $70 for mine. Actually, if they take off the VC++ CD, it is probably a lot cheaper. I already have Visual Studio and I don't need that CD.... hmm, I wonder if I can sell it back to them... haha, fat chance.

[HarryW]

Maybe, but probably not, since it's only the learning edition, probably only cost a coupla quid (or bucks if you use dollars) to add it.