Microsoft® Visual C++® .NET 2003 Kick Start

Chapter 1. C++, Visual C++, and Managed C++: What's the Difference?

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Differences Between Visual C++ and C++

• Managed and Unmanaged Code

• Managed and Unmanaged Data

• Properties

• In Brief

Differences Between Visual C++ and C++

C++ is a language, and Visual C++ is a product. The language itself was developed in the early '80s, and C++ compilers have been for sale since about 1985. Visual C++ made its debut in 1993, and has had many major releases since that time. In the late '90s a standard was developed for the C++ language, and the latest release of Visual C++ (in Visual Studio .NET 2003) includes a top-notch C++ compiler that is 98% compliant to that standard, the most compliant version ever.

The Visual C++ Suite of Tools

Of course, Visual C++ ...