what is the difference between visual c++, c++/cli and c++

Question

Hi i am getting confused between visual c++ and c++/cli, is visual c++ a programming language or just an IDE? I was told that a program created using Windows Forms is written in Visual C++, is this true? they said this because forms are visual. Or is creating winforms applications basically written in c++/cli? I tried to find this out on google but all i was getting was MS visual is a IDE, which i find strange because i have had books that say visual C++ is a language. please can someone clarify this issue for me.  

Answer 1

C++ is a programming *language* which has been
standardized by ANSI/ISO.

C++/CLI is a programming *language* which has been
standardized by ECMA.

Visual C++ is a Microsoft *product* consisting of
tools used to create programs in C++ or C++/CLI.

Visual C++ can be used to create WinForms applications,
which simplifies the design aspects of creating a GUI.

- Wayne

Answer 2

thanks Wayne

Answer 3

In addition to what Wayne wrote, Windows Forms applications can also be written using C# or VB.NET.  In fact, those languages are used far more often, so much so that Windows Forms is not really considered a C++ technology at all. 

 

Visual C++ (the product) is part of Visual Studio (another product that lets you use C++, C#, VB.NET, and others).

 

-- David

---

Efficiently read and post to forums with newsreaders: http://communitybridge.codeplex.com