beginning Visual C++

[RichGL]

I've been learning to program in C++ for a couple of years now and feel comfortable with the idea of tackling the Visual side of C++. (until I've only used console and OpenGL output).

I'm not really interested on learning specific details about how a window is created when I understand that this is all done for you. Rather I want to learn how to create a Windows application using the built in VC++ functionality, so that I can get on with writing some useful software that will help me in my job (and also convert some console programs that I wrote).

This is where I've got stuck, as it seems I've opened a massive can of worms! A week later after messing with some Win32 projects and also MSFC projects I'm hopelessly lost and can't seem to even get a foothold in the direction I want to go.

To give you an idea of what I expected is the way that Visual Basic works. You create a window and some buttons, then apply bits of coding that occurs on different events affecting the buttons (that's a very basic example!). I managed in less than an hour to have a simple VB application running that performed a simple task.

Can VC++ 6 (or 7) be used in this manner? Is there a book anyone can recommend that would guide me in this direction?

Lastly, my apologies for this long post, I don't usually seek advice so soon after attempting to start something but I'm all at sea here! (and sinking).

Thanks,
Rich.

 

[zeitghost]

Well, there's the Petzold book, Programming Windows, now in its fifth edition. (all in C, by the way).

This shows the Win API in all its glory.

Or there's Teach Yourself VC++ Programming in 21 Days, which is a trifle optimistic in my opinion.

I think I'd start with Petzold.

It's hard work, but will repay the effort.

rgds
Zeit.

 

[VincentP]

Having myself some experience programming in C++, I used Sam's Teach Yourself Visual C++ 6 in 21 days to learn the whole "make windows and stuff".

In a nutshell, yes, you can just draw a button and add some code for specific events. But VC++ is more flexible and powerful than VB, IMO, and it is therefore more complex to grasp at first. But if you don't do anything fancy, you will get started in no time!

Good luck,

Vincent