Congratulations! If you've been reading the chapters and doing the exercises and have made it this far, you're well on your way to becoming a proficient Visual C++ programmer. Even if you've mostly been skimming or don't understand all that you've read, you're still on your way to mastering the language. Why? Because you've started!
By taking on the challenge of learning Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition, you have opened the door to a wide world of learning. The material and program examples in this book are just the beginning. I recommend that you continue with your education by experimenting and practicing what you've learned. Challenge yourself to build small programs that allow you to test an area of your understanding thoroughly. By trying new avenues—and even making plenty of mistakes—your understanding of Visual C++ will grow by leaps and bounds.