Windows with C++ - where to start?

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I'm currently using C# for a majority of my projects only because it makes working with Windows as easy as can be. I love C++ and wish I could find a good starting point to learn how to manage the Win32 API. I've considered using C++ with Windows Forms, but my main interest is to get away from the .NET framework and go to native code.

I've looked into Win32 tutorials and they seem to think all you ever want to do is make a single window with no controls on it. I was just wondering what the best way would be for me to transition to C++ in Windows.

Posted 17-Nov-10 3:53am

Mike Bowers

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Aescleal · Answer 1 · 2010-11-17T04:02:00

Two books I'd recommend:

"Programming Windows" 5th edition, by Charles Petzold. This details how Windows programs in C are written. If you're a confident C++ programmer you'll get enough out of this book to work out how to fold the Win32 API into something you like.

"Windows++" by Paul DiLascia. This tells you how to write an application framework for Windows in C++. It's very old so talks about things that aren't important but you'll get a good idea of one way of using C++ with Windows. It's also more examples of how to use stuff from Petzold as well.

Cheers,

Ash

Alain Rist · Answer 2 · 2010-11-17T09:25:00

Hi,
- 1 Start with VS 2010(free evaluation available) or VC2010 Express and ATL from the Windows Driver Kit (WDK) 7.1.0[^].
- 2 Download the current WTL 8.1[^] package, and install it.
- 3 Download the two fundamental articles (dated 06/2000) WTL Makes UI Programming a Joy part 1[^]and WTL Makes UI Programming a Joy part 2[^] and read them.
- 4 Updated samples matching the articles (including a MtPad7 ribbon version of MtPad) are in the <wtl>\samples folder; use them to follow the articles.
- 5 Read and study the great Mike Dunn series of tutorials[^] in CodeProject WTL area[^].

- 6 You are the master of Windows in C++ :)

cheers,
AR

ARopo · Answer 3 · 2010-11-17T04:00:00

Solution 1

If your not using .NET most people use MFC which is basically microsofts helper classes for win32 api since it is built on top of WIN32 api. I don't think this is available in any express editions of Dev studio though. unlike C++.Net.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Foundation_Class_Library

Posted 17-Nov-10 4:00am

ARopo

Updated 17-Nov-10 4:04am

v3

@Intersect☺™ · Answer 4 · 2010-11-17T08:49:00

Humn...I would suggests you to work with MFC & VC++; But as you want to shift from .NET environment (which I dont like too), you can work with Visual Studio 6.0;

MFC is a collection of wrapper class on the top of the Win API. It is very very interesting & has ofcourse immense capability than C++.

You can find lots of study materials on it. Unfortunately if you won't please let me know, I will help you for sure.

Windows with C++ - where to start?

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