C++ requires the .NET Framework?

[chris128]

Sorry if this has been covered before, I've been searching the net for a while now but cant find a definitive answer.
Basically, I was under the impression that languages such as VB.NET and C#.NEt required the .NET framework be installed on the target systems where as C++ could run natively without anything additional needing installing. However, I opened up C++ Express 2008 and started following some tutorials on how to build windows forms in it but whilst doing this I noticed there are several different types of projects etc and I dont want to use one that requires the .NET framework be installed.

I tried making an empty win32 project but when I add a form it says it will convert it to CLR mode, which im assuming means it will then require the .net framework.
So how should I be going about making a windows form application that DOESNT need anything installing first for it to run?

Thanks

[wossname]

You may have to trawl the endless "settings" screens and turn off everything that is related to "CLR" or "managed code" and so on.

I'm pretty sure I've done this before, I'll have a go later and post again.

[chris128]

Oh right... thanks.
I thought like one of THE main advantages of using C++ was that it all ran natively without the need for anything else like a framework to be installed... guess I thought wrong.

[k1ll3rdr4g0n]

Oh right... thanks.
I thought like one of THE main advantages of using C++ was that it all ran natively without the need for anything else like a framework to be installed... guess I thought wrong.

Thats the concept of standard C++, but Microsoft embedded their own "stuff" into it.
If you want a good IDE, I would use DevCPP or codeblocks. If you want to use Microsoft's 'managed' code (MFC, .Net) use Visual Studio.

[wey97]

You may have to trawl the endless "settings" screens and turn off everything that is related to "CLR" or "managed code" and so on.

I'm pretty sure I've done this before, I'll have a go later and post again.

I've never know a Win32 app to add CLR dependencies. I can create on from Visual Studio right out of the box.

[chemicalNova]

I've never know a Win32 app to add CLR dependencies. I can create on from Visual Studio right out of the box.

Where did you get this version of Visual Studio from? I've never been able to just create stuff straight out of the box.

chem

[Atheist]

It shouldnt add CLR dependencies if you do not specifically tell it to, or am I wrong? If you try to add .NET components (such as a form), to your project, you will be prompted to convert your project to include CLR support, as long as you do not, there shouldnt be any CLR depencies. Atleast I'm pretty sure..

[chris128]

Yeah well like I said, I'd always thought that most C++ apps just run without anything else being installed. I was very surprised to not find tutorials on the internet on how to create a standard windows forms app in C++ that had no CLR dependencies... I thought that would be a very common thing that people wanted to do.

[Atheist]

You mustve had very bad luck in your searches, there are tutorials all over the internet, here's one I found by googling for "Create a main window in c++".
http://www.bluesfear.com/tutorials/C++window_p1.php

[wey97]

Yeah well like I said, I'd always thought that most C++ apps just run without anything else being installed. I was very surprised to not find tutorials on the internet on how to create a standard windows forms app in C++ that had no CLR dependencies... I thought that would be a very common thing that people wanted to do.

The reason you're getting the CLR references is by adding a "form." Forms are out of the .NET namespace System.Windows.Forms. Raw win32 API programming does not involve "forms." You have to either create a window and controls through code or create a dialog in the dialog editor which can possibly serve as your main client window.

As Atheist said, there are plenty of tutorials, this one has been around quite a while.

http://winprog.org/tutorial/

[chris128]

Ohhh right I see. Thats a bit of a pain in the ass then compared to using .NET languages like VB.NET. Seems to me there is a HELL of a lot more work involved in creating a C++ app that uses a GUI then... guess im going to have to stick to VB I keep wanting to learn C++ but then I find things like this out and realise that VB.NET is soo much easier.

EDIT: I just looked at that tutorial: http://www.bluesfear.com/tutorials/C++window_p1.php and **** me thats a lot of work just to get a window to appear :| how on earth do people manage to create the programs that I see and use every day using C++ it must take forever to make even the simplist of programs?

[k1ll3rdr4g0n]

Ohhh right I see. Thats a bit of a pain in the ass then compared to using .NET languages like VB.NET. Seems to me there is a HELL of a lot more work involved in creating a C++ app that uses a GUI then... guess im going to have to stick to VB I keep wanting to learn C++ but then I find things like this out and realise that VB.NET is soo much easier.

EDIT: I just looked at that tutorial: http://www.bluesfear.com/tutorials/C++window_p1.php and **** me thats a lot of work just to get a window to appear :| how on earth do people manage to create the programs that I see and use every day using C++ it must take forever to make even the simplist of programs?

Libraries and frameworks.