An In-Depth Introduction to Microsoft .NET and C++ Managed Extensions

Microsoft created two new languages designed specifically for .NET development. However, the .NET development team realized that many C++ programmers would not be willing to abandon C++'s direct access to the Win32 API and low-level memory manipulation, which are necessary in certain instances. Furthermore, no other .NET language can beat C++'s performance for certain CPU-intensive activities. Hence the introduction of the .NET managed extensions to C++, or Managed C++ (MC++).

Managed extensions contain the .NET Framework classes, which, when compiled, will run in the .NET Common Language Runtime. This allows MC++ developers to take advantage of .NET features such as automatic memory management (garbage collection), inheritance from classes written in other .NET languages, and version control. In addition, the same application — even within the same source file! — can make use of unmanaged (native) C++ features like the Windows API, heap/stack manipulation through boxing, and indexed properties, none of which any other MS .NET languages can do.

This 5-day hands-on workshop covers everything you need to know to start Microsoft .NET development using MC++. It starts with an overview of the .NET environment itself, including the Just-In-Time compiler, namespaces, and assemblies, then goes on to explore advanced topics such as event-handling delegates and multithreading. Other topics include developing Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) with Windows Forms; exception handling; memory management; COM interoperability; data access; and a brief introduction to Active Template Library (ATL) Server, ASP.NET, and Web Services. Finally, the instructor will discuss when to use unmanaged vs. managed C++ and how to seamlessly incorporate the two into one application.

Students will have the opportunity to utilize their new skills with many hands-on exercises using Visual Studio .NET.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is aimed at experienced C++ developers who are going to begin developing in the .NET environment using MC++.

Prerequisites

Students should have experience with Windows and a strong C++ foundation. This class is NOT a beginning C++ programming class, but an introduction to using the language's new managed extensions to create .NET applications and components.

Workshop Objectives:

• Understand the difference between managed and unmanaged C++ code.
• Use the .NET Foundation classes.
• Create, compile, run, and debug MC++ applications using Visual Studio .NET.
• Discuss important memory management issues that affect MC++ applications.
• Incorporate COM components into .NET programs and vice versa.
• Learn how to build, use, and configure .NET assemblies.
• Access databases from MC++ code using ADO.NET.
• Explore the different choices available for Web development.

Last updated on April 30, 2008

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