no compile tool is associated

yes im a newbie, and didnt even get started good and already shot down. ok imlearning off of the web with the usual hello world stuff. when i complie the script it gives me an error message saying,Cannot compile file c:\windows\desktop\text1melearning; no compile tool is associated with the file extension. the code is

#include
<iostream.h>

void main()
{
cout<<"Hello World"<<endl;
}


another thing is, how should i start this programming, i am using microsoft vc++, under file in the start, i put text file,under projects,what do i put?iv been using win 32 console application.

thanks

Make sure that your code is in a file with the extension .cpp or .c for C-style. It seems like you've written your code in a Text file that may have an extension .h or .txt, you need to change this to .cpp.

thanks onestiffrod, that helped a little

i found out that when i open a new project,( in this particular instance) that if i put under files,c++ header files, and under projects,win32 console application, it opens as a h header file and compiles and runs ok in dos. is this the way that most projects should be opened? and would like to know of a link defining the ways to open differant projects, and what they mean, ie c++ header file,c++ source files,win32 console application and so on and so forth in the files and projects tabs in vc++
thanks

and another thing. how would i change a txt to a .cpp file?have tried variouse ways and notthing seems to work

thanks

To change the file extension, all you need to do is rename it with the name you want and the extension .cpp. If your using XP the file extensions are hidden from you but you can open the file you want in notepad and Save As... use the drop down box and specify *all files* and not TEXT(.txt), then type in your file name with the extension .cpp, now it is changed.

Your second question about projects and files is a little confusing but here goes...
_____FILES________
C++ Source File - is what you want, especially when you're doing beginner projects. This is the .cpp file.

Header File - this is a .h file that is used to hold declarations for classes and functions and even variables. Beginners do not need to bother with this type of file, it's main use is for classes. You will be #include-ing .h files that are already made in your programs but that is the extent you'll be using them for now.

_________PROJECTS_________
MFC app - is the basic windows program, this will let you have all of the drop down menus, use the mouse and so on.

Win32 console - is a console app with windows support, it makes little difference whether you use this or a plain console since beginner projects will not use the win32 capabilities.

Console - a console is the basic Black screen(DOS) with flashing cursor which is what most of your beginner projects use.

The other stuff I haven't mentioned is not relevant to you at this time, as you progress your knowledge it will make more sense to you the type of projects you can create with VC++.

onestiffrod, you are the man, oopps, i mean boy lol