C++ All-In-One For Dummies®, 2nd Edition

Chapter 1. Working with the Visual C++ 2008 IDE and Projects

In This Chapter

• Considering the Visual C++ 2008 project types

• Developing a simple application

• Using help to write code faster

• Working with Solution Explorer

• Interacting with the standard toolbars

• Modifying application properties

• Changing the IDE appearance

Microsoft's Visual C++ 2008 is an incredibly full-featured product, and this minibook can't even begin to discuss most of the tasks you can perform using Visual C++. What you'll discover in this minibook, starting with this chapter, are the traditional options that Visual C++ 2008 offers, including Win32 console applications and Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) graphical applications. You won't find any coverage of Microsoft's .NET Framework and managed coding.

Visual C++ 2008 is the Microsoft view of what C++ should offer, which may or may not be the same as your view. Let's just say that Microsoft adds a wealth of features to Visual C++, some of which you'll like and others that you might want to do without. (We know of some developers who go out of their way to overcome the less-liked features in Visual C++ 2008.) For the most part, this minibook goes with the flow and shows you what Visual C++ 2008 has to offer so you can make your own decisions.

The focus of this chapter is the Integrated Development Environment (IDE). As you progress through the chapter, you discover how Visual C++ differs from the CodeBlocks IDE used for the other minibooks. In addition, you'll create ...