Introduction

Whether you're a student, a game mod maker, or just someone who is interested in learning to program, Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition is a powerful way to introduce yourself to the C++ programming language. The Express Edition comes complete with the tools that make creating, managing, and maintaining your projects simple and easy. It helps you to become a more effective programmer by allowing you to put projects together quickly, focus only on the important details, and get the hints and help you need when you need them.

Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition is part of the Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 line of products. This powerful series includes Visual Basic, Visual C#, and Visual J#. The Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 line has become the top choice of today's professional programmer, garnering awards from leading industry magazines such as PC Week and PC Magazine. You can find versions of each product being used throughout the software engineering world. By mastering the Express Edition toolset, you give yourself a competitive edge when it comes to learning one of the latest technologies available to the programming industry.

WHY VISUAL C++ 2005 EXPRESS EDITION?

With so many products to choose from, it might be hard to decide which best fits your needs. Each language has its strengths. But if you are looking for the most powerful among them, Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition is it.

The Express Edition allows you to employ the .NET Framework, a new coding technology that is growing in popularity. The .NET Framework facilitates the construction of applications that can be run on Windows, smart devices like the PocketPC, and the Web. With it, you can write code modules in Visual C++ and use them in Visual Basic, Visual C#, or Visual J#. The .NET Framework features many new enhancements to make your programs more robust and secure.

Microsoft has designed this new version of Visual C++ to be the most flexible and extensible of its languages. It is aimed at writing robust Windows and server-side applications. Unlike the other .NET languages, Visual C++ lets you directly access the hardware that your machine is running on, enabling you to maximize its full capabilities.

Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition has many features and capabilities, some of which are tricky to master. For this reason, Microsoft has put a strong effort into making the product easier to use. The core code library has been redesigned, allowing you to build your programs on a stronger foundation that is easier to read and write. Your own code will now be more streamlined thanks to context-sensitive technology that does a better job of understanding what you type. Improvements in online help, project management, and the ever-popular IntelliSense reference technology place a wealth of information at your fingertips.

New features such as WinForms allow you to rapidly create a program graphically. You can drag and drop buttons, menus, and other interface elements onto a page to quickly get a program up and working. Then you can have the editor generate code for you with a few mouse clicks.