hi i program in c and c++ and i wanted to learn windows programming,
can anyone recommend where to start and how to go about learning it?
thanks alot!
-david

"David" <DavidJEis@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1103522213.185188.113920@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
Get Petzold's book. Without trying to sound flip about it,
I think this is the only way to get started. Everything else is
a wrong detour, waste of time, or else should come after Petzold's
book. After you learn Petzold, you are on solid ground and can
learn everything else because you've got a good solid foundation.

Select a programming framework and then find a corresponding compiler and
text book...

Niels Dybdahl

http://www.iseran.com/Win32/FAQ/section0.html

/Casper

what do you mean by that?
-david

Petzold's book seems to deal with NT and 98, is that good for XP, and
how does programming for one version of windows differ from programming
for another version? is it hard to port? thanks
-david

David wrote:

Most Windows programs are written to run on 95 (or 98) because that way
they will run on any machine. They will run on XP without change, but
will not take advantage of new XP-only features. This is fine for
learning and fine for most applications.

Use the Petzold C book to learn how Windows really works. Then you can
evolve if desired to using C++ libraries such a MFC, ATL or .NET. These
things can make you more productive but require additional learning, and
they tend to hide some of how Windows really works.

--
Scott McPhillips [VC++ MVP]

thanks alot!
also, is there a compiler you (or anyone) recommends for windows
programming? at the moment i use codewarrior and sometimes dev-c++.
-david

David wrote:
language per se. You really need the support of a corresponding
application programming interface or framework.

For Windows you have many choices, some are good for one thing while
others are good at a second thing - there is no perfect solution (I
myself have been searching for this in the past!).

Win32, MFC, STL, ATL, .NET are all valid from within C/C++. If you are
planning to do small utilities or driver development, Win32 (Petzold's
book) is the way to go, however if you are short on time and do not care
about what really goes on under the hood, then .NET offers the most
polished framework which has a shorter learning curve.

/Casper

Casper B <casper@jbr.dk> writes:
Win32 *is* the API. Works just as well from C or C++. Requires a lot
of attention to detail, but offers the most flexibility. Doesn't help
at all with, for example, container objects (for some definition of
"object").

MFC doesn't work well from C, as it is C++ only. Includes window
handling stuff, and also a set of container classes with their own
unique set of quirks.

STL is also C++ only, and doesn't help you with Windows-specific
features (like creating windows and drawing in them, COM stuff, etc.) as
it is the Standard Template Library for the C++ language.

ATL is also C++ only. It concentrates on assisting building and using
COM objects, and doesn't help with, say, drawing in windows at all.

If you don't care about what goes on under the hood, you wind up
eventually with expensive mechanic's bills. Unfortunately, you're the
mechanic, and the bills are paid in wasted time, stress, pulled-out
prematurely-grey hair, etc.

Take your pick.

--
SteveR
(throw away the dustbin, send to stever@... instead)

Humans are way too stupid to be dumb animals.
http://www.accidentalcreditor.org.uk/

so the petzold book is the way to go? i saw another book - win32
programming, is that also good?
thanks
-david

On 23 Dec 2004 22:18:20 -0800, "David" <DavidJEis@gmail.com> wrote:

I suspect "Win 32 Programming" is not the full title. I sure can't
tell which book you mean.

I've never seen a book for Windows programmers that is overwhelmingly
better than its competitors. I've certainly never found one I
completely like. Petzold is the usual recommendation for starters. I
prefer Rector and Newcomer. Either is way better than nothing. So I
really think you should just get one of them and start working your
way through it. After that, you'll have a much better idea of what you
really need to read next.

I have over a dozen books on Windows programming. Each bought because
it had at least one piece of info I needed but didn't find in any of
the books I already had. Some are specialized, and thus not
appropriate for beginners. At least 3 are aimed at beginners. Of
those, the two I mentioned above are probably the best.

-----------------------------------------
To reply to me, remove the underscores (_) from my email address (and please indicate which newsgroup and message).

Robert E. Zaret, eMVP
PenFact, Inc.
500 Harrison Ave., Suite 3R
Boston, MA 02118
www.penfact.com

thanks alot!
i was referring to the Rector and Newcomer book, but i ordered Petzold
already.
-david