Visual C++ and Visual Studio 2010

Hello everybody,

I was just wondering what the exact difference is between Visual c++ and standard c++ is. Does Visual c++ have all the features and syntax of standard c++, but with some extra Microsoft stuff added on? Or are they really quite different?

Also, I have Visual Studio 2010 and I want to learn standard c++. Can I write and compile standard c++ programs in Microsoft's Visual Studio 2010? Or will the Visual c++ component intefere with this?

If so, how can I get started writing and compiling standard c++ programs?

Thanks a lot for your time. This is probably an easy question, but there is so much information out there...my brain is muddled! With regards to basic syntax, is there a difference? If I learn standard c++ basics, will I essential be learning Visual c++ basic too?

MSVC already conforms to the ISO standard for C++, however, like most C++ compilers there are non-standard extensions available for use, I doubt it would be a problem for most newcomers, however if it makes you feel better you can disable them: /Za, /Ze (Disable Language Extensions)

Walkthrough: Compiling a Native C++ Program on the Command Line (C++)

But using the Visual Studio IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is much better. Just create an empty project and add a new C++ file (.cpp) and away you go.

Walkthrough: Creating a Standard C++ Program (C++)

More info here:

Visual C++ Guided Tour

Just google any problems that crop up. Your first one might be: ‘c++ console closes’.

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I’m a beginner too and well aware how confusing it can be, so I hope this helps.

Brilliant! Thanks for the answers everyone, they were a big help.

Ha Ha, my first problem is indeed 'c++ console window closes', Michael432000. I shall look for a Console.Readine() type method on google...

Thanks a lot.

I find it very good that a beginner wants to disable non-standard fetures. They only confuse. Console.Readline is not a part of the C++ standard and the console should not force user to close it, since it may be run from the batch, script, whatever. I don't know but there should be an option in the debugger to make it stay open.

Visual C++ is simply the name of Microsoft's product that enables you to write ISO C++ programs. So no worries.