Beginning Visual C++ 6

What is this book about?

Visual C++ 6.0 was released in 1998 as a component of Visual Studio 6.0. For three years, until the launch of Visual Studio .NET to support the .NET Framework, it was Microsoft''s premier development product. Now five service packs old, version 6.0 remains the environment of choice for many developers who haven''t yet made the move to .NET. If your aim is to learn how to program in C++ on the Windows platform, with all the help offered by the Visual Studio interface, Visual C++ 6.0 remains a sound choice.

What does this book cover?

Beginning Visual C++ 6 can be broken down into four sections. The first is a fast-paced but thorough tutorial to the C++ language, punctuated with interesting and worthwhile example programs. After that, you''ll learn about object orientation with C++, and how this relates to Windows programming - the section ends with the design and implementation of a sizable class-based C++ application.

The third part of the book walks the reader through creating Windows applications using the Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC). This includes the following:

• Outputting to the screen and printer
• Creating menus, toolbars, and dialogs
• Debugging your program
• Responding to a user''s actions

To illustrate the theory, this section also includes the complete implementation of a simple but fully-featured drawing application. The final section comprises a grounding in programmatic database access, an introduction to Microsoft''s Component Object Model (COM), and examples of how to create ActiveX controls using both MFC and the Active Template Library (ATL).

This book was voted Amazon.com''s C++ Book of the Year in 1998. It contains countless examples for you to follow and experiment with, and there are challenging exercises and model solutions in every chapter.

Who is this book for?
This book is for anyone who wants to learn C++ and Windows programming with Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0. Although progress will be easier if you have some experience of a programming discipline, an adept newcomer will also succeed in taming object-oriented programming and writing real Windows applications.

"By using my book with Visual C++ 6.0, you’ll come to understand the fundamentals of the C++ language and learn to program for Microsoft Windows.

First, I’ll teach you C++ from the first principles, using the new standard for the language in graduated examples. Then, using your newfound C++ knowledge, I’ll show you how to build applications using the Microsoft Foundation Classes. You’ll even see how to use the Active Template Library – the newest way to create controls.

It’s a challenge, but you’ll have great fun beating it. This is your first step into the world of real programming."

"I’ve been designing, programming and teaching people for over 30 years. All of the good things I have seen flowed from a deep knowledge of the problem and the tools to deal with it. I want you to succeed at the cutting edge of Windows programming by building on a solid bedrock of C++ understanding. You’ll need the discipline to work through the examples and experiment on your own, and to hang in there with me when things get tough. I’ll help you, but you have to want to climb the mountain, and believe that it’s worth becoming a real programmer."
—Ivor Horton

Who is this book for?

This book is for anyone who wants to learn C++ and Windows programming with Visual C++ 6. Although progress will be easier if you have some experience of a programming discipline, an adept newcomer will also succeed in taming object-oriented programming and writing real Windows applications.

The Wrox Philosophy

Our aim is to make you successful by sharing the knowledge of experienced programmers with you at every stage in your career.

What does this book cover?

• Contains a complete C++ tutorial from the ground up
• Learn how to design and write object-oriented programs
• Using Visual C++’s built-in debugger
• Understand how and why MFC&T works
• Find out how Windows® works and how to make it work for you
• Discover how to make program menus, toolbars and dialogs
• Control your program’s output to the screen and printer
• Create your own ActiveX® controls using MFC&T
• How to connect to and edit a database using ODBC
• Each concept supported by graduated code examples
• Challenging exercises & model solutions in every chapter

Wrox Beginning guides are expertly crafted to make learning fundamental programming techniques easier than you think. Whether you’re taking your first steps in programming or broadening your skills with new techniques, Wrox books guarantee a carefully structured tutorial format that will guide you through all the techniques involved. First, each concept is explained, to give you a solid understanding of the material. We then apply your new understanding to practical and realistic project examples. These projects take you right up to the point where you can develop professional applications to be proud of.

Ivor Horton is the best-selling author of Beginning Visual C++ 4, Beginning Visual C++ 5, Beginning Java, Beginning C and Beginning C++ - The Complete Language. He has been teaching programming to skilled and unskilled students for 25 years and has been chosen by Microsoft to support their developer products.