Getting Started With C++ and Visual C++ Express Edition

Question

If you're new to the language itself, you should consider getting a good beginner book. There are an infinite number of ways of making life difficult for yourself in a programming language such as C++. Getting a book isn't one of them

Here's a list, loosely ordered by complexity. I don't want to promote any particular sales organizations, so you'll have to look them up yourself:

Recommended Books

Accelerated C++, Andrew Koenig and Barbara E. Moo, ISBN 020170353X
C++ Primer, Stanley Lippman, Josee Lajoie, Barbara E. Moo, ISBN 0201721481
The C++ Standard Library, Nicholas M. Josuttis, ISBN 0201379260
Effective STL, Scott Meyers, ISBN 0201749629
Effective C++, Scott Meyers, ISBN 0201924889
More Effective C++, Scott Meyers, ISBN 020163371X
Exceptional C++, Herb Sutter, ISBN 0201615622
More Exceptional C++, Herb Sutter, ISBN 020170434X
Exceptional C++ Style, Herb Sutter, ISBN 0321113586
The C++ Programming Language, Bjarne Stroustrup, ISBN 0201889544
Modern C++ Design, Andrei Alexandrescu, ISBN 0201704315

If you're familiar with C++, and want to get started using Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition, there are various articles, videos and screencasts available on the MSDN web sites.

Articles

MSDN: Getting Started with Visual C++ Express Edition

Video Guides

Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition Videos
Introduction to Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition
Other Channel9 C++ Videos

When you've gotten friendly with the language, and you are comfortable with the IDE, it's time to start programming something useful. The following list mentions a few web sites which may be of interest to you. I particularly recommend the first two, as they host a great number of articles, tutorials and HOWTOs. If you're looking for anything in particular, such as printing; try those.

There are, of course, quite a few other web sites out there. Your favorite search engine will definitely be your most trusted and helpful companion in learning C++, VC++ Express, or any other programming / technical subject. If you're stuck; do a search. If that proves unfruitful, ask in a forum (such as this).

Helpful Web Sites

CodeProject: Articles and tutorials
CodeGuru: Articles and tutorials
C++ FAQ Lite: Common issues and questions about the C++ language
ProgrammersHeaven: Articles and sample code
C++4u: Articles
The Boost Library: Possibly the best C++ library collection out there
About.com C++: Articles

Answer 1

Thanks for the info




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Answer 2

C++ how to program, Deitel :  is also  good for beginners
We use it at Bilkent University. 

Answer 3

Thank you brother for a list helpful sites.Am not so new to C++ but vrey new to Win32 API programming.
All my attempts in #including "windows.h" header file proved abortive.
I am using Microsoft Visual 2005 C++ compiler and it gives 'cannot open "windows.h"
or "No such file or directory" errors.
Please help guide me with the right things to do with 2005 Express Edition Compiler.

Answer 4

I'm looking to start with VC++ , do you think that a VB background would be sufficient?

I can program PHP as well. It's just that C++ is a lot more in-depth than PHP I think. I've got people making some registry cleaner reviews as well.

Answer 5

Noob incoming! I am new to all of this C++ stuff and I found my way to MSDN, got the visual C++ express edition and am following the beginner guide here, http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/beginner/cc305129.aspx   im at chapter 1 section 7 and I am stuck.. here is my code..

/*
	An interactive program that computes
	the area of a rectangle.
*/

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main();
{
	int length; // this declares a variable
	int width;  // this declares another variable

	cout << "Enter the length: ";
	cin >> length; // input the length

	cout << "Enter the width: ";
	cin >> width; // input the width

	cout << "The area is ";
	cout << length * width; // display the area

	return 0;
}

and I get this error.. i've mingled my way past errors in the previous exercises but I really don't know what I did to do so..
 error C2447: '{' : missing function header (old-style formal list?)




and here is what the guide says to put in it..

/*
	An interactive program that computes
	the area of a rectangle.
*/

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
	int length; // this declares a variable
	int width;  // this declares another variable

	cout << "Enter the length: ";
	cin >> length; // input the length

	cout << "Enter the width: ";
	cin >> width; // input the width

	cout << "The area is ";
	cout << length * width; // display the area

	return 0;
}

and I get 2 errors with this one

fatal error LNK1169: one or more multiply defined symbols found
error LNK2005: _main already defined in VarDemo.obj    which im in manual inpu not VarDemo... (my file names)

GAH I have messed around with it and have gotten the error to just that one and I can't seem to isolate it..

Answer 6

For the first problem, the ';' symbol should NOT be added after main()

For the 2nd problem, i think u should create a new win32 console project before typing the code.

 

Hope it works

Answer 7

visual c++ is pretty easy to use

---

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Answer 8

okay so i'm usin c++ express to make a web browser and i got this in there and it runs but it won't go to any websites, the button just clicks

 

#pragma

 

 

endregion

 

 

private: System::Void buttonGo_Click(System::Object^ sender, System::EventArgs^ e) {;System::Windows::Forms::WebBrowser ^navigate(System::Windows::Forms::TextBox ^);

 

}

};

}

Answer 9

 okay, so the line is
webbrowserviewer.navigate(textboxaddress.text); but when i debug it says
 
1>------ Build started: Project: enternet, Configuration: Debug Win32
 

---

1> enternet.cpp
 
1>c:\users\knight\documents\visual studio 2010\projects\enternet\enternet\Form1.h(129): error C2228: left of '.navigate' must have class/struct/union

I think you want
 
webbrowserviewer->navigate(textboxaddress->Text);
 
Perhaps you do not realize it, but when you do Windows Forms with Visual C++, you are not using standard C++, but rather a different language called C++/CLI.
 
IMHO, trying to learn C++/CLI and Windows GUI programming at the the same time is very difficult. You would be better to either
 
(a) Stick to console programs using standard C++
 
or
 
(b) Do WinForms with C#, which is a much simpler language, with much more documentation.
 

---

David Wilkinson | Visual C++ MVP

Answer 10

I have Deitel & Deitel's book on C and C++, but I can't even get C-code for "Hello World" working. What am I doing wrong, or should I find a different compiler?. I am initially only interested in C programming, but may look into C++, C# and/or BASIC later.

Thx

BTW: our internet connection speed is too slow for any video, so I can only use text instructions...:(

Answer 11

I have Deitel & Deitel's book on C and C++, but I can't even get C-code for "Hello World" working. What am I doing wrong, or should I find a different compiler?. I am initially only interested in C programming, but may look into C++, C# and/or BASIC later.
 
Thx
 
BTW: our internet connection speed is too slow for any video, so I can only use text instructions...:(

You should start a new question rather than adding to this old thread on a different topic.
 

---

David Wilkinson | Visual C++ MVP

Answer 12

Is there anyplace where I can find useful information regarding the libraries and syntax of IOSTREAM, FSTREAM, etc...  in regards to objects such as button and lebels etc...?

Also... (and this is pissing me off... really, really, really, much...) how am i supposed to create a thread so i can simply ask a question?  I was reluctant to try VCPP because it was very user unfriendly but since everyone seems to like microsoft in the business world i decided it would be worth it.  I cant even ask a question...  Can someone please, for the love of god, help me because i can not find any information on the syntax, Visual language/syntax, and the IDE?  I'm about to quit with this nonsense.

Answer 13

Is there anyplace where I can find useful information regarding the libraries and syntax of IOSTREAM, FSTREAM, etc...  in regards to objects such as button and lebels etc...?

You are asking about basic C++ library skills as well as the more advanced subject of WinForms. I suggest starting with the basics first. Here is a list of references to get you started:

Getting Started in C++
Online eBook: Thinking in C++
C++ Language Tutorial
C++ Beginner's Guide
C++: The Complete Reference, 4th Edition
The C++ Programming Language
Code Examples: CodeProject
Code Examples: CodeGuru

Also... (and this is pissing me off... really, really, really, much...) how am i supposed to create a thread so i can simply ask a question?

Scroll back up to the top of this web page and look to the right side. See the big button marked "Ask a question in the Forums"? That should give you a pretty good hint.

  I was reluctant to try VCPP because it was very user unfriendly but since everyone seems to like microsoft in the business world i decided it would be worth it.  I cant even ask a question...  Can someone please, for the love of god, help me because i can not find any information on the syntax, Visual language/syntax, and the IDE?  I'm about to quit with this nonsense.

As soon as you open Visual Studio, there is a page displayed called "Get Started". Don't just gloss over it. It's a great way to get started. In particular, the section on "Creating Applications with Visual Studio" gives a tour of the development environment. I highly recommend spending the time working your way through the exercises.

Answer 14

Thank you.  Also, I do not ahve VS, i have VCPP (Microsoft Visual C++), so your reference may be inaccurate.  I checked the 'get started' page but i could not find any tutorial vids, Language Library Syntax information or any other things of the like.  Thats why im posting in the forums.  I need a resource.

- On another note, i am not new to C++.  I am new to writing GUI.

Answer 15

ok la

Answer 16

Thank you for your helpful info. I'm new to C++ and I'm using Microsoft visual C++ 2010 express but after debugging any program it gives "This project is out of date" error. Help me please . . . 

Answer 17

When you are debugging the program, do you change anything in any source or header file?  If so, then you need to recompile.

Answer 18

I was using Visual C++ 6.0 with MFC.  VC ++ 2010 express does not support that.  I have been wading around in this forum and MSDN and cannot find the standard libraries applicable to the express editions.  e.g., where is std::string defined and where are the operations for the std library documented that are relevant to the express editions.  It would be great if you added that to your getting started post. If they are on MSDN they keep them a secret. Every time I enter MSDN trying to understand they branch off into the standard C++ and start talking about String, or whatever.  How do they expect anyone to understand or learn the express editions is beyond me. If this forum points to the correct libraries please point me to it.

Answer 19

A really good book is: http://www.learncpp.com/cpp-tutorial/01-introduction-to-these-tutorials/.  Also, to be able to do anything in these books you need to download the Visual Express DESKTOP version as the other versions do not work the same.  I know because I made this mistake.  Here is the link: http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/eng/downloads.  Go to Visual Studio Express 2012 and select: Visual Studio Express 2012 for Windows Desktop.  That will work with the book; the others are for specialty programming and you have to know the language already.

---

Abraham Hosch

Answer 20

I was using Visual C++ 6.0 with MFC. VC ++ 2010 express does not support that. I have been wading around in this forum and MSDN and cannot find the standard libraries applicable to the express editions. e.g., where is std::string defined and where are the operations for the std library documented that are relevant to the express editions. It would be great if you added that to your getting started post. If they are on MSDN they keep them a secret. Every time I enter MSDN trying to understand they branch off into the standard C++ and start talking about String, or whatever. How do they expect anyone to understand or learn the express editions is beyond me. If this forum points to the correct libraries please point me to it.

You really do not need to know where the standard libraries are. If your Visual C++ Express is correctly installed and you do, for example
 
#include <string>
 
it should just work.
 
What problems are you having exactly?
 

---

David Wilkinson | Visual C++ MVP

Answer 21

If you're new to the language itself, you should consider getting a good beginner book. There are an infinite number of ways of making life difficult for yourself in a programming language such as C++. Getting a book isn't one of them

Here's a list, loosely ordered by complexity. I don't want to promote any particular sales organizations, so you'll have to look them up yourself:

Recommended Books

Accelerated C++, Andrew Koenig and Barbara E. Moo, ISBN 020170353X
C++ Primer, Stanley Lippman, Josee Lajoie, Barbara E. Moo, ISBN 0201721481
The C++ Standard Library, Nicholas M. Josuttis, ISBN 0201379260
Effective STL, Scott Meyers, ISBN 0201749629
Effective C++, Scott Meyers, ISBN 0201924889
More Effective C++, Scott Meyers, ISBN 020163371X
Exceptional C++, Herb Sutter, ISBN 0201615622
More Exceptional C++, Herb Sutter, ISBN 020170434X
Exceptional C++ Style, Herb Sutter, ISBN 0321113586
The C++ Programming Language, Bjarne Stroustrup, ISBN 0201889544
Modern C++ Design, Andrei Alexandrescu, ISBN 0201704315

If you're familiar with C++, and want to get started using Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition, there are various articles, videos and screencasts available on the MSDN web sites.

Articles

MSDN: Getting Started with Visual C++ Express Edition

Video Guides

Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition Videos
Introduction to Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition
Other Channel9 C++ Videos

When you've gotten friendly with the language, and you are comfortable with the IDE, it's time to start programming something useful. The following list mentions a few web sites which may be of interest to you. I particularly recommend the first two, as they host a great number of articles, tutorials and HOWTOs. If you're looking for anything in particular, such as printing; try those.

There are, of course, quite a few other web sites out there. Your favorite search engine will definitely be your most trusted and helpful companion in learning C++, VC++ Express, or any other programming / technical subject. If you're stuck; do a search. If that proves unfruitful, ask in a forum (such as this).

Helpful Web Sites

CodeProject: Articles and tutorials
CodeGuru: Articles and tutorials
C++ FAQ Lite: Common issues and questions about the C++ language
ProgrammersHeaven: Articles and sample code
C++4u: Articles
The Boost Library: Possibly the best C++ library collection out there
About.com C++: Articles

worth to read.