There are many reasons why you might want to learn how to write a program in Microsoft Visual C++. Maybe you’re just learning the basics and want to move on to the more advanced parts of C++. Or, perhaps, you have a specific project in mind and want to write the code for it. Whatever your reasons, this guide will help get you started the right way.
Create A Simple Console Application
If you’ve ever used Microsoft Visual C++, then you’re probably familiar with the fact that it comes with a compiler already installed on your computer. All you need to do to get started programming is open up Visual Studio and click on the File menu followed by New Project.
On the New Project dialog box, you’ll see a list of templates. One of which is Console Application. Selecting this template will bring up the New Console Application dialog box where you can give your application a name and select a location on your hard drive for it to live in.
As the name suggests, a console application doesn’t need fancy graphical interfaces or anything like that. All it needs is a simple console interface.
If you’ve ever written a web browser, then you know how to create a console application. All you need to do is include the necessary libraries and set some variables and then start reading from the keyboard. Type in the variables and then press enter to have the program perform the action you’ve entered. When you’re done, just press enter again to have the console application close itself.
Set Some Variables
Once you’ve created your simple console application, you can proceed to set some variables for your application. Open up the Main function in your code and enter the following lines of code:
“` cpp
#include
int main() {
“`
This will bring in the stdio.h library, which contains the definition of the most basic structures and variables used for output. Now you can start setting the variables for your application.
For more information on what is contained in stdio.h, check out this helpful guide from Microsoft.
To set the variables for your application, you can either double-click on the project entry in the Solution Explorer to open the CPP file, or you can click on the file in the Solution Explorer and then click on the New variable button in the Editing window. Either way, you’ll see the New Variable dialog box appear. Here you can enter the names of the variables you want to use and their data types. When you’re done, just press enter to save your changes.
Start Writing Code
After you’ve set the variables for your application, you can start writing code. Open up a new, empty file in your text editor and name it MyFirstProgram.cpp. Then, in the code, type in the following lines of code:
“` cpp
#include
int main() {
“`
This will bring in the stdio.h library again, along with the string library, which contains an entire set of string classes that make string manipulation much easier. After you’ve included these two libraries, you can start writing the code that will make your application do something.
For more information on what is contained in the string library, check out this helpful guide from Microsoft.
Use The Arrow Keys To Continue
If you’ve ever used Microsoft Visual C++, then you know how handy the keyboard can be when programming. When you open up the Main function in your code, you’ll see that pressing the arrow keys will continue inputting data into the current line of code you’re in. For instance, if you’re entering a variable and you press the left arrow key, Visual C++ will automatically input the next character into the line you’re currently in (assuming you’re not at the end of a line).
To prevent Visual C++ from inserting extra characters into your code for you, type in the following lines of code before you start entering data:
“`
#include
int main() {
“`
Now, when you start typing, Visual C++ will not insert additional characters into the line of code you’re in. Pressing the left arrow key will instead move you to the next line of code in your code file.
You can use the right arrow key in the same way to move between lines of code. Pressing the down arrow key will move you to the next sub-menu or template in the New Project dialog box. And the up arrow key will move you to the previous sub-menu or template.
If you’ve ever used Microsoft Visual C++, then you know how handy the keyboard can be when programming. When you open up the Main function in your code, you’ll see that pressing the arrow keys will continue inputting data into the current line of code you’re in. For instance, if you’re entering a variable and you press the left arrow key, Visual C++ will automatically input the next character into the line you’re currently in (assuming you’re not at the end of a line).
To prevent Visual C++ from inserting extra characters into your code for you, type in the following lines of code before you start entering data:
“`
#include
int main() {
“`
Now, when you start typing, Visual C++ will not insert additional characters into the line of code you’re in. Pressing the left arrow key will instead move you to the next line of code in your code file.
You can use the right arrow key in the same way to move between lines of code. Pressing the down arrow key will move you to the next sub-menu or template in the New Project dialog box. And the up arrow key will move you to the previous sub-menu or template.
One of the most basic things you’ll need to know how to do if you’re going to be programming in C++ is how to format your code. For example, how do you start a line of code? How do you end a line of code? How do you indent code?
The way you format code has a lot to do with the way it looks. When you format your code well, it’ll be much easier for other people to read it and, thus, easier for you to maintain. So, it’s worth the time you spend formatting your code.
Use Compilers To Find Errors
The best way to make sure your code is error-free is to use a compiler. With a compiler, you first write your code as normal. Then, you compile it and, at the same time, run the debugger to find any errors. Compiling your code can take a while, so you might want to write a quick program just to test whether or not your compiler is working correctly.
If you’re new to programming, then this might seem like a lot of work. However, whenever you’re starting a new project, you’ll most likely use a pre-existing compiler to save you the pain of setting one up from scratch.
Learn C++ Basics
One of the most basic things you’ll need to know how to do if you’re going to be programming in C++ is how to format your code. For example, how do you start a line of code? How do you end a line of code? How do you indent code?
The way you format code has a lot to do with the way it looks. When you format your code well, it’ll be much easier for other people to read it and, thus, easier for you to maintain. So, it’s worth the time you spend formatting your code.
Other than formatting code well, you’ll also need to know the basics of C++. For example, do you need to #include every file? What’s the difference between a class, struct, and an interface? How do you declare a variable in C++?
If you’re new to programming, then this might seem like a lot of work. However, whenever you’re starting a new project, you’ll most likely use a pre-existing compiler to save you the pain of setting one up from scratch.