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Visual C++ Guided Tour

Visual Studio 2010

In this guided tour you will learn about the Visual Studio development environment and about the various types of applications that you can create with Visual C++. This includes command-line application, Windows applications, and even a simple game. This guided tour will also teach you how to create reusable libraries of code, and how to ship your code to customers after you have written and tested it.

Because each topic builds on information in the topics before it, we recommend that you complete the guided tour in order. At the bottom of each topic, you will find navigation links to the next topic in the guided tour, and a link to the previous topic if you want to go back and review something.

The guided tour assumes that you understand the fundamentals of the C++ language.

Introducing the Visual Studio IDE (C++)

Describes how to use the Visual Studio IDE to create solutions and projects, to write code efficiently, and to build, debug, test, and deploy applications.

Creating Command-Line Applications (C++)

Introduces C and C++ command-line application, talks about how to create an ANSI conformant C or C++ program, and describes how to compile applications by using the command-line compilers.

Creating Windows Applications (C++)

Describes how to create Windows API (Win32) applications, Windows Forms applications, Windows Forms controls, and even a simple DirectX game.

Creating Reusable Code (C++)

Describes how to create dynamic link libraries (DLLs), static libraries, and managed assemblies so that code can easily be reused by multiple applications.

Where to Go Next (C++)

Contains links to other sections of the documentation where you can learn more about the topics that are introduced in the guided tour.

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Starting out with Visual C++ Express Edition
Visual C++ Express editions (2005, 2008, and 2010) install with just the libraries needed for making command-line applications using the Standard C and Standard C++ libraries.

This is enough to get started with C/C++ programming using freely available on-line and bookstore materials, although there is not much about that level of programming here on MSDN.  Using VC++ Express Edition at this level provides the best match for portable use of other tutorials and training materials and will also be useful if you choose to develop programs for non-Windows platforms.

To use VC++ Express editions as they come, the Guided Tour on the Visual Studio IDE (Mainly focused on VC++ 2010) and the section on Creating Command-Line Applications (C++) are relevant.  You may need to make adjustments between the walkthrough materials and your particular version of VC++ Express Edition, but that should not be too difficult once you learn to understand the variations.

Beside this tour, there are also "How Do I" videos that apply to the beginning level of VC++ Express Edition usage.  See http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualc/bb496952.aspx#gettingstarted and the videos on learning to use Visual C++ Express Edition and Creating a Console Application with Visual C++ Express Edition.

To go farther and create GUI applications with the "native" (that is, windows.h) interfaces, you will need to install a Windows SDK.   Generally, it is advisable to be grounded in the basics of C/C++ as a solid foundation before tackling the native Windows application models and the additional concepts involved, since command-line programming and use of command-line tools remain underpinnings of the more complex technologies.

  If you are impatient to build Windows-specific applications, you might consider getting a faster start by using the Visual C# and Visual Basic Express Editions.  You can also continue your VC++ practice alongside use of those tools.

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