Visual C++ Build without using .NET

Craig321 · 14 Mar 2006 at 04:11

Hello,

I'm wanting to make a C++ application with Visual C++ Express Edition 2005, I read on the MS site that to make a native Windows application (I'm guessing this is an app without .NET framework?) you have to install this: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A55B6B43-E24F-4EA3-A93E-40C0EC4F68E5&displaylang=en

When I install it will I then just see an option to compile the program without .NET or how do I do it?

Thanks
Craig.

Craig321 · 14 Mar 2006 at 15:53

NathanE said:
VC++ Express can compile native code, you just have to choose the right project type.

The Platform SDK is help files and samples for programming with the Win32 API. You don't "need" it although it's the best resource if you are planning to work with that API.

Hmm, which project type would I choose?
When I chose Windows form I compiled it and then put it on my other PC which doesn't have .NET frame and it said the program configuration was incorrect.

happytechie said:
you can write unmanaged C++ as a native windows application using the win32 libraries, or you can write a portable ANSI standard application using a set of standard C++ libraries. The former comes with Visual C++ (or it comes with my enterprise edition version ) For the latter you can still use visual studio but you'll need to find a decent compiler (google for gcc). You can plug a 3rd party compiler / linker into visual studio quite easily if you like that enviroment.

To be honest I'm not totally sure what you'd want a Windows 2003 server SDK for over and above the .net SDk or the standard windows libraries?

HT

Hmm, I was told that I would need the SDK to compile programs without using .NET in VC++ or is there just something special I need to do for it not to use .NET?

Craig.

Craig321 · 14 Mar 2006 at 17:36

Yeah, a console application will run without .NET, but I just do my console applications with Dev-C++.

I'm wanting to make an application (I've been told it's possible) using Visual C++ (so the ability to drag the buttons etc. in) and then compile it so it doesn't require .NET framework.

Thanks
Craig.

Craig321 · 14 Mar 2006 at 20:59

NathanE said:
File->New->Project->Visual C++->Win32.

You then have a choice between making a console application or a regular application.

That doesn't allow me to visually edit the program

Craig321 · 15 Mar 2006 at 02:11

You have to make your dialogs and such in the Resources file (by dragging the components where you want) then you can implement their functionality in your code.

Hmm, I'm really not sure where you mean. I made a new Win32 application and now down the left I have header files, resource files, source files and under the top two have 3 items and in the bottom one have 2 items. I have checked everywhere but van't find anywhere that will allow me to drag in the components I want

Thanks
Craig.

Craig321 · 15 Mar 2006 at 22:21

happytechie said:
I can't think of ANY good resons to write a windows GUI in anything other than .net today. Of course portability / legacy OS support would be nice but I think MS consider anything other than vista to be legacy now.

HT

Only reason why I want to write C++ w/o .NET is so it works on any Windows PC. a lot of people won't install .NET just to look at an application.

Was looking at VS 2003 earlier and it's pretty easy to make a C++ application in there w/o using .NET although for some strange reason you can't edit the main part of the main form!!

happytechie said:
it sounds to me like you want to get hold of an older version of visual studio.. VC++ 6 is the one you are after. This will give you the visual drag and drop of compobnents onto your windows forms. Of course any apps you produce will be windows only so you may as well use .net

HT

The one I was trying to do it with was Visual C++ Express 2005 which didn't want to let me make an application without using .NET. VS 2003 is letting me make an application without using .NET, but some parts are still quite complicated.. like the fact that it's not letting me edit the main part of the main form :eek:

Isn't VC++ 6 really old?

Craig.