Visual C++ and MFC Programming 2nd Edition

Visual C++ and MFC Fundamentals Chapter 3: Windows Resources

3. After viewing the window, close it and return to MSVC.

3.9.3 Frame Loading........................................................................................

So far, in order to create a window, we learned to use the CFrameWnd::Create()

method. Because that method does not recognize resources, we resolved to use the

AfxRegisterWndClass() function to register the necessary resources before calling the

CFrameWnd::Create() method. The MFC library provides another, simpler, technique

to create a window. This is done using the CFrameWnd::LoadFrame() method.

To create a window with one simple call, first create the necessary resources, namely an

accelerator table, a menu, an icon, a string table (and possible a toolbar). The only rule to

follow is that all of these resources must have the same name. As a habit, the common

name used for resources is IDR_MAINFRAME.

The syntax of the LoadFrame() method is:

BOOL LoadFrame(UINT nIDResource,

DWORD dwDefaultStyle = WS_OVERLAPPEDWINDOW | FWS_ADDTOTITLE,

CWnd* pParentWnd = NULL,

CCreateContext* pContext = NULL );

The only required argument to the LoadFrame() method is the identifier shared by the

resources. Like the Create() method, you can use LoadFrame() to specify the style of

the window. Its characteristics are specified as the dwDefaultStyle argument. If this

window has a parent, you can specify it using the pParentWnd argument.

Practical Learning: Loading a Frame

1. Create a new project named Frame Loader and stored in C:\Programs\MSVC
   Exercises
   Make sure you create it as a Windows Application with an Empty Project


2. Access the application's settings or properties and specify that you want to use MFC
   As A Shared DLL