Although not installed by default and not available in all editions (for more information, see Visual C++ Editions.), Visual C++ 2005 includes compilers that let you create applications that can run on a 64-bit Windows operating system.

See Installing Visual Studio 64-bit Components for information on installing the 64-bit compilers.

For information on creating 64-bit applications inside the Visual Studio development environment, see How to: Configure Visual C++ Projects to Target 64-Bit Platforms.

The following list describes the various versions of cl.exe (the Visual C++ compiler):

x86 on x86

Allows you to create output files for x86 machines. This version of cl.exe runs as a 32-bit process, native on an x86 machine and under WOW64 on a 64-bit Widows operating system.

Itanium on x86 (Itanium cross-compiler)

Allows you to create output files for Itanium. This version of cl.exe runs as a 32-bit process, native on an x86 machine and under WOW64 on a 64-bit Widows operating system.

x64 on x86 (x64 cross-compiler)

Allows you to create output files for x64. This version of cl.exe runs as a 32-bit process, native on an x86 machine and under WOW64 on a 64-bit Widows operating system.

Itanium on Itanium

Allows you to create output files for Itanium. This version of cl.exe runs as a native process on an Itanium machine.

x64 on x64

Allows you to create output files for x64. This version of cl.exe runs as a native process on an x64 machine.

When the 64-bit compilers are installed on a 64-bit Windows operating system, you will see command prompts for the various 64-bit native and cross compilers. To access these command prompts, go to Start and then All Programs. From the Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 menu option, select Visual Studio Tools and then a command prompt.