Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition has been targeted toward the first-time programmer. Microsoft realizes that a great many hobbyist and programming enthusiasts have not had access to this tool due to pricing. That's why its main purpose is to provide a simplified and streamlined introduction to Windows application development. It provides complete support for the Microsoft .NET Framework and can be used to create applications for Windows and the Web. Because of the redesigned interface and emphasis on creating a tool that is accessible to a new generation of budding professionals, Visual C++ is relatively easy to get started with and can be used to create world-class desktop applications.
If you have not done so yet, now would be a good time to install Visual C++ 2005 Express. You can download a 30-day trial version by connecting to the Microsoft Web page at http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualc and selecting Download. After you've installed Visual C++, the first time you start it, you see the screen shown in Figure 1.4.
Figure 1.4: Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition showing the Start Page.
As you can see, Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition has a standard Windows menu and a default toolbar at the top of its Integrated Development Environment (IDE). When you first launch the program, you see displayed in the middle of the IDE the Start Page. This page is divided into three sections. The Recent Projects section contains links that can quickly load previous projects you've created. The Getting Started section has links that provide you with the material you need in getting ready to start writing programs. The MSDN: Visual Studio 2005 section keeps you informed of the latest happenings in the community and provides a quick and easy way to access articles and information regarding Visual Studio and Visual C++. And if you have a comment or find an error in Visual C++, the Visual C++ 2005 Express Headlines section allows you to give feedback.
A large community already supports development of Visual C++ applications, including Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition. If you're interested in making games and projects just for fun, Microsoft has created a Web site specifically for you where you can get the latest tips and tricks: http://msdn.microsoft.com/coding4fun/.
Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition has been created to support Windows and Web application development. Microsoft designed it to be the entry point for both new and experienced programmers into accessing the full range of capabilities of Visual Studio. With it, programmers have a fully functional, professional-grade compiler that can create such applications as these:
Windows games, including those using the DirectX graphics library
Windows desktop applications
Report and text file generators
Tools to support game development
File interaction and management systems
Database access and management software
Microsoft has placed a heavy emphasis on creating a simplified development experience. Although you might not immediately understand how to create all of these types of programs, one of the great strengths of the .NET Framework is that it takes care of many of the details for doing so automatically. Working with text and graphics or creating an application that supports printing or networking simply involves writing code that accesses the correct .NET library functionality.
Although you can use Visual C++ to develop applications that run on the Web and serve as the high-end power at the heart of Web server components, it is not a Web development tool per se. ASP.NET forms are not supported. If you want to create responsive, dynamically generated Web content, Microsoft recommends that you use Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition.
Programmers who are familiar with C++ and want to bring existing code into Visual C++ should also know that it does not support MFC and ATL technologies. Microsoft does offer support for these technologies in the Visual C++ Standard and Professional Editions, however.
Finally, if you want to develop native Win32 applications or employ DirectX, you must download a separate Software Development Kit (SDK). After you've installed that, you can link to these libraries and develop native Windows and graphical applications or export existing code.