VC++ Express Win32 Application without Platform SDK

VC++ Express Win32 Application without Platform SDK

• neRok

  Hi
  
  All previous and new projects seem to be able to use MFC, ATL, CLR or plain Win32 and Win64.
  
  Just change the project settings to suit your choice - right click to properties on the project.
   
  Set the required subsystem on the linker/system options.
  
  You will also have to include some extra static libraries, either manually or automatically as described at http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualc/usingpsdk/
  
  What a great product for free!  Shame about the resource editor though.
  
  Robert
  

• averge joe

  Good morning...
  
  I haven't tried it, but it appears as though Visual C++ Express supports WinForms out of the the box.  It would appear we are being steered to using .NET framework for GUI development - in fact, for all development.  This makes sense from point of view that .NET will become *the* framework for Windows, and Microsoft has to start somewhere.
  
  But I would think to use C++ means to go native.  To use .NET means J#, C# or VB.NET. 
  
  It is too bad that Microsoft gives us C++ but none of the tools (ATL or MFC, or even PSDK has to be downloaded separately) to do anything with.  The Express Editions are supposed to be introductions but it is very complicated to get started with - you have to be an expert to figure this out!!!
  
  

• Muhammad Adeel Malik

  You can always use VC++ o develop managed or .Net applications using the /CLR switch.
  
  Thanks,
    Ayman Shoukry
    VC++ Team
  
  

• dotnetwizkid

  Yes, you can download it here:
  
  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx FamilyId=A55B6B43-E24F-4EA3-A93E-40C0EC4F68E5&displaylang=en
  
  I don't tried it until now, but I think it includes MFC and ATL libraries. If anyone has tried it can tell you if it works well.
  
  

• Achenar

  Hi, you can get PSDK free from the following Web page;
  
  http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualC/default.aspx
  
  However, keep it in mind that wxWidgets can be compiled as far as they are C/C++ based reusable codes. If they are written on top of such frameworks as ATL and MFC, you cannot compile them with EE. EE does not support such frameworks.
  
  Hope this helps!
  
  
  

• MissyKos

  I have tried it and I can see that for Win32 apps this isn't very usefull, because you can't use MFC, ATL or edit resources (then you can't create a Main menu).
  
  So, VS express is as a Framework SDK platform development, for Win32 platform I see express only capable for fullscreen DirectX applications, where you don't need to manage resources (menu, shortcut keys, etc.). You create the D3D device, the DInput, DSound, etc. and it should works well. But without resources edition hardly you can create another type of programs.
  
  But for a program that needs C++ (optimizations, assembler, etc.) you can use unmanaged C++ for that and use the managed code (framework platform, very easy to use) to create the user interface, that is a good combination.
  
  

• Matt Vandergrift

  Hi,
  I have found that I have to download the PSDK to be able to use the Win32api but I haven't found what are the conditions and what is the price. I need to use just a simple Win32api
  to be able to compile wxWidgets with the VC++ compiler. Is there any free alternative.
  
  Thanks for answer.

  
  

• Robert Rossney

  The PSDK is free and has been available as such since I can remember.
  
  It is independent of Visual Studio - otherwise how would users of other C compilers create Windows apps
  
  Using the /CLR switch compiles your program into MSIL (Microsoft intermediate language).  When it's run, it is interpreted through the .Net runtime.
  
  

• QAniket

  Hi Robert,
  
  Thank you for the advice.
  I am still interested in the following technical point;
  
  Point :
  As far as I know, ATL and MFC are typical Microsoft proprietary class hierarchies. How do those hierarchies relate to /CLR object model As you might know, WMI object model is reflected in the .NET world. What about ATL and MFC Does .NET support the same functions of those two hierarchies
  
  What do you think on this, Robert
  
  Thank you very much.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• HerbD

  Yes is it just a standard C/C++ library application. No win API programming unless you download the PSDK separatly.
  
  Thanks,
    Ayman Shoukry
    VC++ Team
  
  

• Jerry Goodwin

  Hi,
  
  

  pepa z depa wrote:

  But where have you read that PSDK is for free And if it is, is it free also for commertial usage

  
  
  As far as I know, you can download it and develop applications with it. However, I think you should consult with some documents in terms of software business. For example, please read the following information on the PSDK download page:
  
  Redistributable components allow new APIs to be supported on previous versions of Windows. Individual redistributable components have separate licenses that typically allow you to ship the files with your applications. The specific licensing details are covered in two files, License.txt and Redist.txt, which are downloaded with each redistributable component.
  
  Is there anything you can add to it, Ayman   If so, please let us learn them.
  
  
  
  
  

• Joseph Geretz

  Hi, thanks for answer.
  But where have you read that PSDK is for free And if it is, is it free also for commertial usage
  
  
  

• DanMoyer

  Hi Ayman,
  
  I do not study so much about /CLR enabled application.  Let me  ask you  a very  simple question.
  
  

  Ayman Shoukry wrote:

  You can always use VC++ o develop managed or .Net applications using the /CLR switch.

  
  
  Herb Sutter once said that C/C++ is a concrete language and .Net languages such as C# are dynamic languages. From this, I think I can say that /CLR switch enabled codes are dynamic. Am I right here If so, this switch  seems to provide a function that add a kind of wrapper layer to abstract ATL and MFC code base. Is my interpretation wrong
  
  Many thanks in advance.
  
  
  

• CommanderG

  Good morning...
  
  I've used the PSDK a bit with MinGW (compiling sample code), and from what I know the MFC and ATL libraries that come with it are only for 64-bit Windows.  The 32-bit libraries are not free.
  
  Question: since WTL is free (originally from MS and now maintained on SourceForge.net) can I use it without ATL libraries   Or I have to buy ATL first to be able to use WTL
  
  
• VC++ Express Win32 Application without Platform SDK