Visual C++ and MFC Programming 2nd Edition

Visual C++ and MFC Fundamentals Chapter 1: Introduction to Visual C++

When Microsoft Visual C++ 6 gets installed, it asks you whether you want to install the

MSDN library. This is because, besides the CDs that hold Visual C++ or Visual Studio

installation files or the DVD, additional CDs are provided to you just for the help files. In

some cases, the help files are packed in one an additional DVD. If you decide to install

the MSDN library, it would be installed as an independent program but would be

internally linked to Visual Studio. Because this library is particularly huge, you

can/should keep it on the CDs or the DVD and access it only when needed. The help files

that are installed with Visual Studio constitute what is referred to as Online Help.

Microsoft Visual Studio .Net installs its help files along with the programming

environment and creates one to three tabs for them on the Solution Explorer window.

To get help on an MFC class while you are working in the Code Editor, click the class

and press F1, the HTML Help window would display help on the topic. You can also

access the online directly in the HTML Help window or the help tabs of MSVC .Net

Practical Learning: Getting Online Help

1. Open the Exercise application from the exercises that accompany this book


2. In the Class View, double-click CMainFrame to display its header file.


3. In the Code Editor window, click CFrameWnd and press F1


4. Notice that a description of the CFrameWnd class displays


5. On the main menu, click Help -> Index...


6. Type WinMain and press Enter

1.4.2 Other Help Types....................................................................................

Among the C++ programming environments, Microsoft Visual C++ is the most

documented on the internet. The primary place of help is on the MSDN library web site.

Besides the information you receive on the Visual C++ CDs or DVD, this Microsoft web

site is updated regularly.

There many other sites dedicated to Visual C++. We also provide ours and a site that

supports this book.

The other type of help available is through newsgroups, coworkers, or friends.