I got this book with the assumption that I could use C++ Express 2005 as I learned the language. However, Mr. Horton lays out in the introduction that you cannot use the Express version because it does not contain the MFC libraries. I have downloaded the Platform SDK and associated some files with the compiler. If I associate the MFC library folder as well, can I compile all the examples in the book?

From what I have read (what information is available on the MSDN web forums) this seems to be a majority of the missing library files, all be it not all of them. I just want to know if it will be sufficient for completeing this book before I go investing time in reading it all.

If I have to, I guess I can pick up a copy of VS 2005 Standard on ebay or something, but I'd rather not if all the tools are virtually free from Microsoft.

I'm half-way thru the book, and haven't used MFC once. But, I'm not studying the CLI sections, only the native ANSI C++ (the meat of the chapters). I'm guessing that MFC will be used later in the book, but you can learn about data types, syntax, pointers, references, etc. in the console programs (used up to where I am currently studying in the book).

This is a good book. As with any other technical book, make sure you've reviewed the errata from the web before you begin any new chapter. You'll also need to find some other resources to make sure you grasp pointers (and references).

Sincerely,
Brian