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Visual C++

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Visual C++
NameVisual C++
DeveloperMicrosoft
Released1993
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
GenreIntegrated development environment

Visual C++. It is a commercial Integrated development environment product from Microsoft for the C++ programming language. It has been a foundational component of the Microsoft Visual Studio suite since the mid-1990s, providing tools for building applications ranging from simple console programs to complex Windows API desktop software and games. The toolset is renowned for its deep integration with the Windows operating system and its powerful Microsoft Foundation Class Library for object-oriented programming.

History

The product originated from Microsoft C/C++ compilers, with its first distinct release in 1993. A major evolution occurred with the integration into Microsoft Visual Studio 97, aligning development tools under a single brand. Key historical versions include Visual C++ 6.0, which became a long-lived standard for Windows 98 and Windows 2000 development, and the transition to the .NET Framework with Visual Studio .NET 2002. The compiler and libraries have continually evolved to support modern C++ standards, with significant updates in Visual Studio 2015 and Visual Studio 2022 to implement features from C++11, C++14, C++17, and C++20.

Features

Its core feature is the Microsoft Visual C++ compiler, known as MSVC, which translates source code into executable programs for x86, x64, and ARM architecture processors. The environment includes a sophisticated debugger for diagnosing runtime issues and a profiler for performance analysis. It provides extensive libraries, most notably the Microsoft Foundation Class Library for graphical user interface development and the Active Template Library for Component Object Model objects. Modern versions feature IntelliSense for code completion and deep integration with the Windows SDK for accessing system APIs.

Editions

Historically, it was sold as a standalone product, such as Visual C++ 4.0 Standard Edition. Since the late 1990s, it has been distributed primarily as a component within various Microsoft Visual Studio editions. These include the free Visual Studio Express editions, the professional Visual Studio Professional edition, and the comprehensive Visual Studio Enterprise edition. The build tools are also available as a standalone package, the Visual Studio Build Tools, which includes the compiler and libraries without the Integrated development environment for use in automated build systems.

Development tools

The primary development environment is the Visual Studio IDE, which provides a code editor, project management system, and resource editor for designing dialog boxes and icons. Essential command-line tools include CL.EXE (the compiler), LINK.EXE (the linker), and NMAKE for build automation. The platform includes utilities like LIB.EXE for managing static library files and DUMPBIN.EXE for examining the contents of executable files. These tools are used extensively in developing software for the Windows NT kernel family and DirectX multimedia applications.

Compatibility

It maintains a strong commitment to backward compatibility, particularly with the Windows API, ensuring applications built with older versions like Visual C++ 6.0 can often still run on modern systems like Windows 11. The runtime components are distributed as Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages, which must be installed on end-user machines. While primarily targeting the Microsoft Windows platform, the toolchain has expanded support for other systems, including Linux and Android, through components like the Windows Subsystem for Linux. It also supports interoperability with other languages and technologies, such as C++/CLI for the .NET Framework and Python via extensions.

See also

* C++ * Microsoft Visual Studio * Windows API * Microsoft Foundation Class Library * .NET Framework * Integrated development environment * Borland C++ * GNU Compiler Collection * Clang

Category:Microsoft development tools Category:C++ compilers Category:Integrated development environments