VC++ and C++

Is there any difference between the two?
Thanks in advance

[Jimlin41]

VC++ is Microsoft's compiler for the C++ language. It stands for Visual C++ just like how VB stands for Visual Basic. There are other C++ compilers such as Borland's C++Builder. C++ is a programming language.

So I guess that general method of making programs is the same. Am I correct?

[Jimlin41]

I think it's generally the same. There might be some extra functions or tools in addition to the C++ language. I have the Borland compiler so I don't know much about VC++. I heard that it's better than Borland though.

[KenX]

for me, VC++ is better...
GUI applications are easier to make
(I think of it as one of the reason
why the language was prefixed with
"Visual"...)

[Paul282]

I have both VC++ and the borland C++ builder 4, the VC++ is more powerful but you have to know MFC backword in order to get your productivity above zero so I don't use it.

BCB 4.0 is easier to use (a RAD a bit like VB) but not really much more powerful than VB and with shocking DB support.

I always wanted to move to C++ because I like some parts of the language better but after using those compilers and seeing VB NextGen... I'm in VB to stay. The speed differences are minimal really, don't let a C++ programmer tell you otherwise. ANSI C is quite fast though, but good program design is faster.

[Paul282]

for me, VC++ is better...
GUI applications are easier to make
(I think of it as one of the reason
why the language was prefixed with
"Visual"...)

Are you serious ???????? Everyone I talk to says, "Why is the word 'Visual' in VC++ ??"
Try it for yourself, after using VB... you'll hate it.

[Crazy D]

I think the only reason why they called it Visual C++ is because it comes with a nice editor (which supports macro's woohoo!), but it sucks creating a nice interface, most of the stuff has to be done in code instead of Visually creating the whole stuff. Borland's C++ Builder is much better then that.
Although it's called Visual C++ it's actually Visual (?) MFC I think, since you'll write MFC code most of the time.
And what I've heard and seen, Borland is more Ansi compliant then M$ is...

[Paul282]

I agree absolutely

Borland is MUCH easier to use but some of the components are old. It uses VCL instead of activeX (which is supported though) but the RTFBox control is a LOT slower than VBs and almost stalls the system in a resize of a 3 mb document.

VC++ has a few RAD features but on large projects you can pretty much forget them.

The thing I don't like about both of them though is that they force you to write Object Oriented code which sux the big one for quick tools and what not. Sometimes having to write 10 new Classes is an overkill. I like straight C though, but in C for windows programming is just API calls all the way, YUK.

Why do VB programmers have this inferiority complex??? try Borland C++ builder! which is C++ with a RAD, you'll be back I guarentee it, the performance difference is often hard to spot and sometimes not even there.

Get over it guys, VB kicks butt.

[Crazy D]

I agree, most of the times you won't even notice a performance difference, since most of the apps are waiting for user input, so if the user types faster, the app goes faster :-)
But seriously, only a very few ocassion really require some heavy stuff you can do with C++ and not with VB. Especially file i/o and drawing operations.
The only huge advantages with C++ is that you have the option to link static, so for a little tool, for someone of which you're not sure if he/she has the VB runtime stuff, that's a huge advantage. BUT, once the person has the VB runtime, a VB app is smaller then a static linked C++ app...
For me, the only real reason for using C++ is that I like the language...

[Paul282]

I agree with the graphics porcessing but file I/O no way. If you use byte arrays with binary get/put you have heaps of power. I was so happy I wrote an ActiveX control to look after all my data management (I/O) even if your after text strings try this ( I copied it from my control) you pass it a file path and a 'pointer' to an array

Public Property Get TextFromBinary(bBytes() As Byte) As String

If UBound(bBytes) < 1 Then
    TextFromFile = StrConv(bBytes, vbUnicode)
Else
    Err.Raise 2, , "pointer to Empty Byte Array Passed"
    
End If
    
End Property







Public Function LoadFile(ByVal Pathname As String, bBytes() As Byte) As Integer

    On Error GoTo ERROR
    
    txtPath = Pathname
    lgFileLength = FileLen(txtPath)
    dtLastModified = FileDateTime(txtPath)
    
    ReDim bBytes(lgFileLength)
    
    Open txtPath For Binary As 1
        Get #1, 1, bBytes
    Close
    
    bFileLoaded = True
    RaiseEvent CopyComplete
    LoadFile = 1
    
    Exit Function
    
ERROR:
    LoadFile = 0
    
End Function