- Office Suites
- Geography
- Biology
- Animals & Pets
- Education Value Packs
- Music Instruction & Theory
- Adobe InDesign
- Typing
- Jasc Paint Shop Pro
- C & C++
- Graphics and Photography
- Databases & Reporting
- Databases
- Communication
- Zoombinis
- SQL
- File Conversion
- A Level
- Collins
- Key Stage Three (Ages 11-14)
- Communication
- Video & Music
- Key Stage 2 (Ages 7-11)
- Upgrade Centre
- Encyclopaedias
- Delphi
- Typing
- Adobe Acrobat
- Science & Nature
- PDF Creation
- Some of our other sites:
- Books
- Clothing, Shoes and Accessories
- Baby Clothes and Accessories
- Cosmetics, Beauty Products and Fragrances
- Cellphones, Call Plans and Accessories
- Video Games
- DVDs
- Electronics, Gadgets and Computers
- Health and Personal Care
- Home and Garden
- Home DIY
- Jewelry
- Magazines and Newspapers
- Music Downloads
- Musical Instruments
- Office Equipment and Supplies
- Software and Games
- Sporting Goods
- Toys and Games
- Watches
- UK Books
- UK Video Games
- UK Home and Garden
- UK Electronics, Gadgets and Computers
- UK Baby Clothes and Accessories
- UK Software and Games
- UK Sporting Goods
- UK Toys and Games
Software and Games : Software Categories : Programming & Web Development : Programming Languages : C & C++
-
Apex Web Media
-
American Software & Hardware
Visual Studio .NET Pro 2003 is Microsoft's multi-faceted development tool, targeting both Windows and Web applications. This 2003 edition includes numerous small improvements as well as major new features such as the Compact Framework for applications that run on Pocket PC and other smart devices. It supports multiple languages, with the main ones being Visual Basic, C#, and C++. There is also a Java-like language called J#, although J# applications only work on Windows so this is not a true Java development tool.The Visual Studio .Net environment is truly integrated. It makes extensive use of docking and tabbed windows and there are plenty of project wizards along with huge amounts of online help. Auto-completion and pop-up help eases the business of editing code.
Microsoft's .Net tools are very different from their predecessors. Visual C++ can still compile standard Windows executables, but the other languages all target the .Net Framework, a runtime engine and class library that manages memory and enforces security. Framework applications perform well, since they are compiled to native code at runtime, but there is an overhead in terms of memory usage and the Framework runtime must be installed. In compensation, .Net brings many advantages. All the languages are fully object-oriented, the class library is rich, and XML support is deeply integrated. ASP .Net is for Web applications and represents a large advance on the old ASP. Instead of script, ASP .Net supports any of the .Net languages running on the server and just-in-time compiled to native code. There is a visual Web page designer and carefully designed applications support a wide range of browsers. A new feature in this version of Visual Studio is Mobile Web Forms which use adaptive rendering to support the browsers in mobile phones and PDAs.
The database technology in Visual Studio is called ADO .Net. It uses a disconnected model which means that applications work with data locally, only contacting the server for data transfer or updates. It's a good model for laptops, smart devices and wide area networks, but there's a lot to learn for those skilled in older database APIs.
The Visual Studio .NET Pro 2003 edition represents the best value in the range. There's no Visual SourceSafe or Visio diagramming and it lacks the server licences found in the high-end Enterprise editions, but it's otherwise a fully comprehensive package.
For those wondering whether to make the jump to .Net, this release is probably the right moment to go ahead. The technology is maturing and the inclusion of the Compact Framework makes the package more compelling. Students and newcomers to programming will welcome the clean object-orientation in C#, and the deep XML support on offer is essential for enterprise applications or integrating with other platforms. It's still important to note the heavy system requirements, and that .Net applications do not run on Windows 95. In most cases, the higher productivity of .Net languages soon pays for any additional resources. --Tim Anderson
-
Microsoft
Visual C++.net is the most flexible of Microsoft's languages. The compiler primarily targets native code Windows executables, but a switch also enables compilation to MSIL (Microsoft Intermediate Language). This managed code runs under the .Net Framework's Common Language Runtime, with full access to the Framework's class library. Developers can include both managed and unmanaged code in the same project: the compiler does the necessary internal translation automatically. This feature is particularly valuable for those with existing applications that cannot be ported all at once to the .Net platform. The Visual C++.net product consists of an IDE (integrated development environment), class libraries, compiler and tools. The compiler in the Standard edition is non-optimising, so professional developers may prefer Visual Studio.Net Professional or higher. The key libraries are the MFC (Microsoft Foundation Classes), which wrap the Windows API, and the ATL (Active Template Library), for efficient development of COM or ActiveX components. In addition, the bundled.Net Framework SDK has command-line compilers for Visual Basic, JScript and Visual C#, and you can also compile C# from the IDE. Despite its managed extensions, Visual C++.net does not support the Windows form designer or the Web form designer, although there is a visual dialog editor for native Windows applications. The two big changes in Visual C++.net, when compared to Visual C++.net 6.0, are support for the.Net Framework and a brand new IDE. There are minor updates to MFC and ATL, and the ability to do COM programming using attributes is a strong feature. The Standard C++.net library is updated in this version, with improved standards compliance for those building portable applications, although it is still not the best in this respect. On the other hand, it excels as a tool for building Windows applications and components, where its huge flexibility compensates for the lack of a visual form designer. The Visual C++.net IDE is outstanding, although you need to double the minimum system requirements for good performance, and note that it does not run on Windows 98 or Me. Online help is now fully integrated into the main workspace, wizards have been streamlined, and the XML designer will be useful even to those not working with the.Net Framework.--Tim Anderson
-
Microsoft
Visual Studio .Net is Microsoft's multi-faceted development tool, targeting both Windows and Web applications. This 2003 edition includes numerous small improvements as well as major new features, such as the Compact Framework, for applications that run on Pocket PCs and other smart devices. It supports multiple languages, with the main ones being Visual Basic, C#, and C++. There is also a Java-like language called J#, although J# applications only work on Windows so this is not a true Java development tool. The Visual Studio .Net environment is truly integrated. It makes extensive use of docking and tabbed windows and there are plenty of project wizards along with huge amounts of online help. Auto-completion and pop-up help eases the business of editing code.Microsoft's .Net tools are very different from their predecessors. Visual C++ can still compile standard Windows executables but the other languages all target the .Net Framework, a runtime engine and class library that manages memory and enforces security. Framework applications perform well since they are compiled to native code at runtime, but there is an overhead in terms of memory usage and the Framework runtime must be installed. In compensation, .Net brings many advantages. All the languages are fully object-oriented, the class library is rich, and XML support is fully integrated. ASP .Net is for Web applications and represents a large advance on the old ASP. Instead of script, ASP .Net supports any of the .Net languages, running on the server and just-in-time compiled to native code. There is a visual Web page designer, and carefully designed applications support a wide range of browsers. New in this version of Visual Studio are Mobile Web Forms, which use adaptive rendering to support the browsers in mobile phones and PDAs. The database technology in Visual Studio, ADO .Net, uses a disconnected model that's ideal for laptops, smart devices and wide area networks.
Visual Studio .NET Enterprise Developer 2003 earns its name by including developer licenses for the key Microsoft server platforms, including Windows Server 2003, Exchange 2000 Server and SQL Server 2000. Another key component is the Visual SourceSafe code management system, which is especially important for team development. There is also an Application Centre Test for stress-testing Web applications.
For those wondering whether to make the jump to .Net, this release is probably the right moment to go ahead. The technology is maturing, and the inclusion of the Compact Framework makes the package more compelling. The deep XML support on offer is essential for many enterprise applications and enables integration with other platforms. It's important to note the heavy system requirements and that .Net applications do not run on Windows 95. But in most cases the higher productivity of .Net languages soon pays for any additional resources. --Tim Anderson
-
Microsoft
-
Microsoft
-
Microsoft
-
BVG
-
Apex Web Media
-
Microsoft
Microsoft's Visual C++ 6.0 (VC++ 6.0) lets programmers unlock the power of Office and Internet Explorer and create custom Office and Windows apps. Every version of Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer has powerful custom features--dockable toolbars, tool tips, OLE automation, and ActiveX, for example. But to really put these features to work you need a full-fledged programming language.The list of updates in version 6.0 is lengthy, but two stand above the rest. This rendition of Microsoft's Visual C++ gets smart with IntelliSense technology, Microsoft lingo for auto-completion. What this means for you is after you type a period after a variable name, a handy drop-down menu appears offering the soup du jour in the way of the available members for the aforementioned object. Enter a method name and an open parenthesis and you are presented with prototypes, arguments and their types. Better yet, IntelliSense works with all the expected iterations and your code, saving quite a lot of time. Also, the intuitive edit and continue feature allows you to incorporate common, simple edits during your debugging without having to quit, rebuild and restart the debugger.
Other new features include the HTML Help Workshop, a tool for creating HTML-based context-sensitive help that can be integrated with the Web; a gallery of prepackaged C++ components and ActiveX controls; and a slew of inline optimisation switches, pragmas and codes.
This package is complemented by the inclusion of: Microsoft Developer Network Library. The library is teeming with information--get started with a selection of tutorials, or reference the user's or programmer's guides. All topics are covered here, including plenty of information on the Microsoft foundation classes.
Future users should be aware that side-by-side installation of C++ is not supported by Microsoft, meaning that if you have acquired C++ 6.0 or its compiler through another software package or have a copy in another language, you will not be able to keep both applications. The results of installing this package in addition to any existing installs could mean that the installation may fail, the installation may succeed but the product won't work, or even worse, you won't be able to uninstall C++ after you realise the error. --Emilie Dirks
-
BVG
-
Microsoft
Visual Studio .net is a superb next-generation development tool. At its heart is the .Net Framework, a runtime engine and class library that enables rapid application building for both Windows and Web applications. The runtime engine handles housekeeping like memory management, while also providing fine-grained security and version awareness. The class library reduces the code needed to build rich applications. Visual Studio also provides a slick visual environment, with features like tabbed and docking windows, dynamic online help, and automatic code completion and hints. The common runtime is language-neutral, so for example Visual Basic programmers can use components written in C#, and vice versa. Other languages such as COBOL and Fortran can plug into Visual Studio, and Microsoft provides a version of the Java language called J#. These two languages along with J# have full support for the visual design tools. Also included is JScript .Net, Microsoft's version of Javascript, although this has no form designer. Visual C++ is more similar to earlier versions, and is the only compiler here that can build old-style Windows executables. With a compiler switch, it can also target .Net, making it particularly flexible.The Enterprise Architect edition has source code management with Visual SourceSafe, performance testing and analysis tools. It also includes developer versions of many of Microsoft's server products, including SQL Server, Commerce Server, Exchange Server, and the Windows 2000 Advanced Server operating system. These are licensed for development only, but even so it is a rich range of products. Finally, there is the ability to use Enterprise Templates. New in Visual Studio .net, these are sophisticated skeleton projects that assist organisations in maintaining consistent best practices, and this edition, Enterprise Architect, can create them from scratch. Another benefit of Enterprise Architect is the inclusion of Visio, an advanced drawing package that has the ability to model databases or indeed complete applications. This includes code generation, and reasonable support for UML, which is the de-facto industry standard. Finally, Enterprise Architects get BizTalk server, which is able to manage business processes and integrate applications between trading partners.
Overall, this is a radical break from the past for Microsoft. C# is an entirely new language, aimed at C and C++ programmers looking for something safer and more productive. Visual Basic .Net is a new twist on the old Microsoft favourite, losing compatibility with previous versions, but gaining full object orientation as well as access to all the.Net libraries.
There are a few points against Visual Studio .Net. One is that, like earlier versions, it only creates applications that run on Windows. Web applications are a partial exception, in that they support cross-platform clients, but deployment requires a Windows web server. Another factor is with its multiple compilers and mountains of documentation, Visual Studio .net eat up gigabytes of disk space, and the IDE tends to be slow in less than around 384 megabytes of RAM. Serious developers will take this in their stride, but casual users could be caught out. Fortunately the applications created have more modest system requirements, although Windows 95 is not supported. Finally, developers coming from previous editions face a lot of new learning, with radical changes in both Visual Basic and ASP. --Tim Anderson
-
Microsoft
Visual Studio.net is a superb next-generation development tool. At its heart is the .net Framework, a runtime engine and class library that enables rapid application building for both Windows and Web applications. The runtime engine handles housekeeping like memory management, while also providing fine-grained security and version awareness. The class library reduces the code needed to build rich applications. Visual Studio also provides a slick visual environment, with features like tabbed and docking windows, dynamic online help and automatic code completion and hints. The common runtime is language-neutral, so for example Visual Basic programmers can use components written in C# and vice versa. Other languages such as COBOL and Fortran can plug into Visual Studio, and Microsoft provides a version of the Java language called J#.Overall, this is a radical break from the past for Microsoft. C# is an entirely new language, aimed at C and C++ programmers looking for something safer and more productive. Visual Basic.net is a new twist on the old Microsoft favourite, losing compatibility with previous versions, but gaining full object orientation as well as access to all the .net libraries. These two languages along with J# have full support for the visual design tools. Also included is JScript.net, Microsoft's version of Javascript, although this has no form designer. Visual C++ is more similar to earlier versions, and is the only compiler here that can build old-style Windows executables. With a compiler switch, it can also target .net, making it particularly flexible. Visual Studio.net has two distinct form designers. Windows forms are for traditional Windows applications, but managed by the common runtime. Web forms are ASP.net pages, which means they run on Web servers and work over the Internet. Microsoft has made designing and coding Windows and Web forms as similar as possible, so that both types of application can share components, and much of the complexity of coding Web applications is kept hidden. Another key feature is Web services, which lets developers create an XML interface to an application, so that it can be called across the Web, or from any platform or language. XML support generally is strong, with a range of classes for parsing and transforming XML data. There is also a visual designer for XML Schema.
There are a few points against Visual Studio.net. One is that, like earlier versions, it only creates applications that run on Windows. Web applications are a partial exception, in that they support cross-platform clients, but deployment requires a Windows Web server. Another factor is with its multiple compilers and mountains of documentation, Visual Studio.net eat up gigabytes of disk space, and the IDE tends to be slow in less than around 384 megabytes of RAM. Serious developers will take this in their stride, but casual users could be caught out. Fortunately the applications created have more modest system requirements, although Windows 95 is not supported. Finally, developers coming from previous editions face a lot of new learning, with radical changes in both Visual Basic and ASP. --Tim Anderson
-
Microsoft