VC = wrong language for windows forms?

[Scott]

I've googled this a bit and suppose I know the answer, but I'd appreciate
any input:

I'd like to write windows forms apps in C++, but it seems almost as if that
is discouraged. As an example, practically all the books, etc. are written
for C# and VB. Even Petzold.

This begs the further question, is C++ the language of choice, or at least
on equal ground, for any form of .NET development? Or is it just passe as
far as MS is concerned?

C# would be fine, but I'm a student and really would rather be using C++
(even managed C++) since it matches my studies more closely.

[David Lowndes]

>I'd like to write windows forms apps in C++, but it seems almost as if that

is discouraged. As an example, practically all the books, etc. are written
for C# and VB. Even Petzold.
Possibly because MS didn't have WinForm designer support until VC2003.
:(
This begs the further question, is C++ the language of choice, or at least
on equal ground, for any form of .NET development? Or is it just passe as
far as MS is concerned?
MS seems to have the assumption that C++ is rarely used for UI
developments, therefore their initial emphasis has been elsewhere.
However, given that most of MS's crown jewel products are (I presume)
written in C/C++, they themselves must have a big requirement to get a
good implementation of C++ for the managed world - there are many
improvements in C++/CLI in the next (Whidbey) release. C++ is the only
MS .Net language that can seamlessly bridge the unmanaged and managed
worlds.
C# would be fine, but I'm a student and really would rather be using C++
(even managed C++) since it matches my studies more closely.

If you're looking to get a job afterwards, it may be best to learn to
be effective with both! :(

Dave
--
MVP VC++ FAQ: http://www.mvps.org/vcfaq

> >C# would be fine, but I'm a student and really would rather be using C++

(even managed C++) since it matches my studies more closely.

If you're looking to get a job afterwards, it may be best to learn to
be effective with both! :(

I fully agree, try lo learn both of them.
If you are new to .NET then start with C# untill you have grasped the way
..NET is used best.
Then in a second phase try to learn the C++ part and especially mixed
managed/unmanaged.

If you start with C++ managed first then you have a far steeper learning
curve en might make you want to jump off a bridge. ;-)

But this is my point of view. :-)

[Carl Daniel [VC++ MVP]]

Scott wrote:

I've googled this a bit and suppose I know the answer, but I'd
appreciate any input:

I'd like to write windows forms apps in C++, but it seems almost as
if that is discouraged. As an example, practically all the books,
etc. are written for C# and VB. Even Petzold.

This begs the further question, is C++ the language of choice, or at
least on equal ground, for any form of .NET development? Or is it
just passe as far as MS is concerned?

C# would be fine, but I'm a student and really would rather be using
C++ (even managed C++) since it matches my studies more closely.

I'll second (or third?) what others have said: Learn Windows Forms using
C#. If you need to tie some existing C++ code into your windows forms
application, use MC++ to do it. If you can wait a while, wait for Whidbey
and then switch to using C++ with Windows Forms.

-cd