This section contains conceptual and task-based topics on C++ programming.

A common purpose for Visual C++ is to design programs for Windows. Programming in Windows is a topic that deserves its own consideration. There are many important aspects to remember when coding for windows. For example, there is the difference between managed and native code. The computer processor directly executes native code whereas the CLR is responsible to run managed code.

When you are programming for Windows, you must consider window handles, messages, and exceptions. The process of windows messages and exceptions is how various windows communicate with each other. MFC provides convenient wrappers to make handling windows communication easier.

Many C++ programmers focus on the following areas:

• Windows programming

• Common Object Model (COM)

• Libraries, such as Active Template Library (ATL) or Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC)

• Managed code and .NET programming

This section contains conceptual and task-based topics on C++ programming.