what is visual c++? (stupid question)

[Malvolio]

I know this is a *really* stupid question but what the hell is visual
c++? I downloaded it and it doesn't seem to work. It isn't like any c++
compiler I ever saw before and the manual on the Microsoft website did
not improve my comprehension of it at all. How do you compile your
source code with this thing? Is it a compiler at all? Am I crazy?

I know it would probably take too much time to answer my dumb questions
here but if you can point me in the direction of any info, it would be
much appreciated.

I know it might sound like I'm joking here, but I'm serious. I
downloaded this piece of software in the faint hope of reviving some of
my forgotten programming knowledge (took programming courses in
college, haven't done any programming recently, interested in taking it
up as a hobby) but I found I couldn't do anything at all with it! Boy,
do I feel like a fool.

Mark

 

[Bart]

I know this is a *really* stupid question but what the hell is visual
c++?

It's a C++ compiler from Microsoft.

I downloaded it and it doesn't seem to work. It isn't like any c++
compiler I ever saw before and the manual on the Microsoft website did
not improve my comprehension of it at all. How do you compile your
source code with this thing? Is it a compiler at all? Am I crazy?

Well, the IDE may be a little confusing. You basically have to create a
new project and add your source files to the project, then build. You
can still compile using the command-line like any other compiler,
though.

I know it would probably take too much time to answer my dumb questions
here but if you can point me in the direction of any info, it would be
much appreciated.

The problem is not that it takes too much time to answer, but that this
newsgroup is for discussing C++ language issues rather than specific
compilers. You might get better help by asking in one of the
microsoft.public.vc.* newsgroups.

Of course, don't hesitate to ask C++ language questions here.

Regards,
Bart.

 

[David Harmon]

On 26 Oct 2006 22:14:25 -0700 in comp.lang.c++, "Malvolio"

How do you compile your source code with this thing?

Assuming you have created your source file with your favorite
editor,
.. run vcvars32.bat in your command window to set up environment
variables
.. use the cl command to compile. cl /? for a summary of options.
cl /EHsc foo.cpp

It's still not too clear what is supposed to be "visual" about it.

 

[Moonlit]

Hi,

I really recommend spending a little time to get familiar with the GUI, it
just takes maybe a few hours and is really going to pay off when doing
things like debugging.

Just spend some time on one or more Visual C++ tutorials.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms235632.aspx


Regards, Ron AF Greve

http://moonlit.xs4all.nl

 

[Earl Purple]

It's a C++ compiler from Microsoft.


Well, the IDE may be a little confusing. You basically have to create a
new project and add your source files to the project, then build. You
can still compile using the command-line like any other compiler,
though.

Actually the IDE is very nice, especially VC8. It enables you to view
your classes and members and "Intellisense" puts down a drop-down box
so you can see the names of the methods (and works even for overloaded
-> now) which saves you having to look up in a header file. In the
later versions you can also right-click on various identifiers or
headers to see their source.

You can do all this even if you don't intend to use the compiler at
all. You can even use the IDE for a project you are planning to compile
on UNIX.

The compiler itself is very standard compliant. You can compile
standard C++ on it - the only thing you might need to watch out for is
the compiler option to use RTTI - I think by default it is disabled but
they may have fixed that in V8.

The environment also includes a debugger. (You have to have built with
VC first to use it).

There are some complex make options so I think it is possible to use a
gcc compiler to make (but you'd have to create a GNU-style makefile,
because it is not the same as the VC one).

 

[sam]

I know this is a *really* stupid question but what the hell is visual
c++? I downloaded it and it doesn't seem to work. It isn't like any c++
compiler I ever saw before and the manual on the Microsoft website did
not improve my comprehension of it at all. How do you compile your
source code with this thing? Is it a compiler at all? Am I crazy?

I know it would probably take too much time to answer my dumb questions
here but if you can point me in the direction of any info, it would be
much appreciated.

I know it might sound like I'm joking here, but I'm serious. I
downloaded this piece of software in the faint hope of reviving some of
my forgotten programming knowledge (took programming courses in
college, haven't done any programming recently, interested in taking it
up as a hobby) but I found I couldn't do anything at all with it! Boy,
do I feel like a fool.

Mark

Hi,
I am surprised that your are saying that you got vc++
free from website.
How the microsoft will keep this software free for download?
I think you purchased it online?
Ok, that's not the point.
See VC++ is microsoft product.
It has very high level power to develop cutting edge software.
IN the gaming industry also (3d games) VC++ mostly use by game
developers for game programming.

second thing is you can create console applications or
you can use MFC(Microsoft Foundation Classes) predefined classes from
microsmicrosoft to give power and ease in programming(especially Object
Oriented Programming).

Third thing :- First you start from creating console applications or
some c++ onlyonly programs after that you learn some MFC classes and do
some.
exercises in it.

VC++ have components like:-
Activex control, com
also database objects.

So, now you are ready to hack VC++

 

[W Paul Mills]

Hi,
I am surprised that your are saying that you got vc++
free from website.
How the microsoft will keep this software free for download?
I think you purchased it online?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/

For hobbyist, novice, and student.
Actually rather a pain to get set up right, requires manual config to
get it set up, but is (or at least was) documented on web site.