C
CatDadJynx
Guest
Hey everyone, I'm fairly new to C++ and programming in general... Ive spent about a year now teaching myself Arduino programming (which I know is typically more embedded than C++ on its own), and I've gone ahead and done the staple 'hello world' console application, but now I'm trying to learn how to write standalone Windows applications. I know this is quite a leap, and I know jumping into this would be in over my head, but that's just how i learn best (as when I'm in over my head I can use more of a problem solving approach to fill the holes/gaps in my knowledge).
Its my understanding that this level of programming must be done using the Win32 API (as this is essentially the instruction set used to communicate with windows devices), and I've also gathered as much that developer support for this is provided using the Microsoft Windows SDK (among other things, such as .NET).
However, this is where my understanding falls short. I'm using Visual Studio 2017 as my IDE/compiler, so the Win32 API and SDK are both handled through the software as additional/optional extensions/add-ons, and I've verified that these are both correctly installed/updated as well. When I open up a new project in visual studio it gives me the option to choose a C++ windows desktop application, and by default this opens a 'blank' program with what appears to be a Win32 API template (which I've figured as much using the Win32 API supporting documentation), but from here I'm unsure what to do.
I know this is not a simple 'just do X, then Y' sort of question, so I'm not looking for a simple answer (or for anyone to hold my hand through the steps), I'm just looking for any good reference material or any sort of pointers in the right direction. I would imagine that learning and using the windows API directly would be the more wise approach long term (because i would be working more directly with the fundamental C++ programming and would have a more intimate understanding of the mechanics), but as a more logical stepping stone I would also like to learn more about/use the Windows SDK (or .NET, whichever would be a wiser choice to use/learn), but I'm at a loss as to where to start with the SDK, how to use it, how it works, how to correlate/differentiate between
looking at the code for this and the API in my IDE, etc...
Sorry for such a long, detailed, and loaded question, I've just been doing a lot of homework on my own with no help or info from anyone else and figured this was the best place to ask. And again, I know this is quite an undertaking for my level of inexperience and a lot to unpack, but for this reason any info greatly helps, and I'm interested in learning this way even if it takes me a while and may be a less conventional approach anyway, just because this is how I learn best (though I also wouldn't refuse any suggestions that may get me there sooner).
Also, sorry if ive posted this in the wrong forum... if so feel free to point me in the right direction and ill move my question elsewhere. Thanks!
Continue reading...
Its my understanding that this level of programming must be done using the Win32 API (as this is essentially the instruction set used to communicate with windows devices), and I've also gathered as much that developer support for this is provided using the Microsoft Windows SDK (among other things, such as .NET).
However, this is where my understanding falls short. I'm using Visual Studio 2017 as my IDE/compiler, so the Win32 API and SDK are both handled through the software as additional/optional extensions/add-ons, and I've verified that these are both correctly installed/updated as well. When I open up a new project in visual studio it gives me the option to choose a C++ windows desktop application, and by default this opens a 'blank' program with what appears to be a Win32 API template (which I've figured as much using the Win32 API supporting documentation), but from here I'm unsure what to do.
I know this is not a simple 'just do X, then Y' sort of question, so I'm not looking for a simple answer (or for anyone to hold my hand through the steps), I'm just looking for any good reference material or any sort of pointers in the right direction. I would imagine that learning and using the windows API directly would be the more wise approach long term (because i would be working more directly with the fundamental C++ programming and would have a more intimate understanding of the mechanics), but as a more logical stepping stone I would also like to learn more about/use the Windows SDK (or .NET, whichever would be a wiser choice to use/learn), but I'm at a loss as to where to start with the SDK, how to use it, how it works, how to correlate/differentiate between
looking at the code for this and the API in my IDE, etc...
Sorry for such a long, detailed, and loaded question, I've just been doing a lot of homework on my own with no help or info from anyone else and figured this was the best place to ask. And again, I know this is quite an undertaking for my level of inexperience and a lot to unpack, but for this reason any info greatly helps, and I'm interested in learning this way even if it takes me a while and may be a less conventional approach anyway, just because this is how I learn best (though I also wouldn't refuse any suggestions that may get me there sooner).
Also, sorry if ive posted this in the wrong forum... if so feel free to point me in the right direction and ill move my question elsewhere. Thanks!
Continue reading...