Visual C++ is a microsoft product that includes an IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Lots of "Wizards" to help create Windows programs with easy what-you-see-is-what-you-get development of dialogue boxes, etc. It's part of what Microsoft calls its Visual Studio (includes lots of stuff in addition to C++).

If he is using Visual C++ in a college class, that means that they gave him access to the Microsoft tools.


Somewhere down at the bottom of all of the Windows Applications Interface (API) functions is a real C++ compiler. If you don't have Visual C++, then lots of the stuff in the Visual C++ book won't be useful to you.



Regards,

Dave