Thread: New to use of C/C++ Library

Hi guys,

I'm very new to C/C++ libraries. I know the syntaxes of c/c++, like how to declare classes,pointers array etc.

But when it comes down to using the libraries , i totally suck at it.

I am using Microsoft visual studio 8 (or 2005).

There are some questions which i hope you guys can help me out :

1. Does C++ have different standard libraries? Since microsoft provided them, wouldn't they be the same for everyone? Such as for Java, everyone has the same JDK

2. I've searched for C++ standard library, they include stuff like cmath and iterators. However I also discovered there are header files like :

#include <windows.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <winuser.h>
#include <windowsx.h>
which are used in a simple keylogger,

I couldnt find these in the Standard Library reference, the problem now is how do i find the references to these classes?



It's really difficult to start with the library, I mean there are so many stuff out there but so hard to locate them. Does anyone know of any resource which can slowly guide me? I know I could Google it, but most of the searched that come out does not help at all..

Thanks

well C and C++ are extremely popular, so i know google will give an overwhelming number of very good resources for it. if you dont want to look far, there are tutorials, etc on this site, cprogramming.com (on the main page, left menu).

1. Does C++ have different standard libraries? Since microsoft provided them, wouldn't they be the same for everyone? Such as for Java, everyone has the same JDK

C and C++ libraries/headers are different, yet most of the C libraries are ported to C++ in the STL (for example math.h in C would be cmath in C++). the libraries that come with your compiler (VS2005 in your case) arent necessarily available on everyone elses machine, only the STL libraries that it should have included, which is the purpose of STL. as for java, everyone uses the same JDK/SDK because java runs on a virtual machine (JVM), which is very different from using C or C++ (or any other language).

2. I've searched for C++ standard library, they include stuff like cmath and iterators. However I also discovered there are header files like :

#include <windows.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <winuser.h>
#include <windowsx.h>

the header files ending with '.h' are C headers, C++ usually doesnt use any extension for the includes. from the list of headers you have, only 'stdio.h' would be the 'real' C header thats standard. the others limit your program (ie can only run on windows).

learning C and learning C++ are quite different, i think, mainly because C++ is object-oriented.
the best way to learn is to read and do lots of tutorials.

oh.. thanks for the reply.. i'll go check the tutorials out

All standard C libraries are the same on every C compiler, and all standard C++ library is the same on every C++ compiler... They're obviously implemented differently under the covers, but their observable effect and their usage is the same.

Many compilers (especially Microsoft) like to add extra libraries in addition to the standard ones, so here are the standard C & C++ libraries: http://www.cppreference.com/

Cool. Thanks all. I shall abide by the rules, no worries =)

I've just used Stack from the c++ STL. pretty excited to try out the rest of the library.


So now, I am actually using the Microsoft VS 2005. It actually provides an extension library to the standard library right? Can anyone direct me to the link for that page for reference of the library extension (such as http://www.cppreference.com/)? I know I can google it but microsoft's msdn website is really confusing to navigate.

Thanks again for your kind help

Hmm.. It is really difficult to navigate through the library reference, and very difficult to find functions to use. I had to go through so many links.

Are there any alternative references to it?

I remembered that my tutor said they do not use Microsoft Visual Studio to develop their C++ programs. Are there any free tools/libraries that you guys use to develop?

Visual Studio (express edition) is free.
For C++ I've never used anything other than Visual Studio (except when compiling on UNIX), but I know some of the people on this board keep talking about Dev C++.
Either way, any Windows compiler will still have to use the Windows API, so the MSDN is your best source for Windows API info.

Originally Posted by Elysia

FYI, there's nothing wrong with Visual Studio. In fact, it's a very good compiler and IDE in one. If anything, I do recommend it over other compilers especially due to that it's much easier than other (you don't have to manually specify command lines, it shows the exact compiler output as it compiles it, it has an error list to browse through errors, it has a very powerful debugger, etc).
Granted, it is a professional tool, but Microsoft made the Express version free was very nice of them.

Yeah, it must be pretty good since every company I've ever seen uses VC++ for Windows development.