Installing and Using the Practice Files

The companion CD inside the back cover of this book contains the practice files that you’ll use as you perform the exercises in the book. By using the practice files, you won’t waste time creating objects that aren’t relevant to the exercise. Instead, you can concentrate on learning object-oriented programming with the Managed Extensions for C++. The files and the step-by-step instructions in the lessons also let you learn by doing, which is an easy and effective way to acquire and remember new skills.

Important

Before you break the seal on the companion CD package, be sure that this book matches your version of the software. This book is designed for use with Microsoft Visual Studio .NET for Microsoft Windows operating systems. To find out what software you’re running, you can check the product package or you can start the software and then click About Microsoft Development Environment in the Help menu at the top of the screen.

Installing the Practice Files

Follow these steps to install the practice files on your computer’s hard disk so that you can use them with the exercises in this book.

1. Remove the companion CD from the package inside the back cover of this book, and insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive.

   Note

   On some computers, the starting menu screen might launch automatically when you close the CD-ROM drive. In this case, follow the instructions on the screen, skipping Steps 2 through 4.

2. Click My Computer in the Start menu or double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop.

3. Double-click the icon for your CD-ROM drive.

4. Double-click StartCD.exe. A starting menu screen appears with options that allow you to view, browse, and install the contents of the CD-ROM and to access the Microsoft Press technical support Web site.

5. Click Install Practice Files. Click OK in the initial message box. The set-up program window appears with the recommended options preselected for you. For best results in using the practice files with this book, accept the preselected settings.

6. When the files have been installed, remove the CD from your CD- ROM drive and replace it in the package inside the back cover of the book.

   A folder called Microsoft Visual C++ .NET Step By Step has been created in your My Documents, and the practice files have been placed in that folder.

Uninstalling the Practice Files

Follow these steps to remove the practice files from your computer. These steps are written for the Windows XP Professional operating system. If you are using a different version of Windows, refer to your Windows Help documentation for removing programs.

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. In Control Panel, double-click Add Or Remove Programs.

3. In the Add Or Remove Programs window, click Microsoft Visual C++ .NET Step By Step in the Currently Installed Programs list.

4. Click Change/Remove. The Confirm Uninstall dialog box appears.

5. Click Yes to delete the practice files.

6. Click Close to close the Add Or Remove Programs window.

7. Close Control Panel.