I am new to C++. Page xxxvii of the textbook states that the Visual C++ 2010 Express Edition is not sufficient for this book. Question: Just how far can I get through this textbook before I need to purchase the upgrade version of Visual 2010 C++? Where does the usage of MFC start in the example code? Learning a new language is tough enough without having the example code causing errors due to the use of the free Express Editon.

it is hard to say. the book is a mixture. i am going through the book and skipping anything that is managed C++ and MFC.

I was wondering same but so far (Chapter 4) I have been able to use Express version.
Also I found this info in Microsoft site:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/hs24szh9.aspx
There you'll see Visual C++ 2010 Express supports CRT libraries but not MFC.

I posted this response to another user and perhaps you will find it useful. If you are a student you can download the complete version of Visual Studio 2010 professional from www.dreamspark.com. All you need to do is verify that you are a student by registering your student email address and you are good to go. Note you want the professional version NOT the express version. With the professional version you should be able to do all the examples provided in the book.

Check out the top of page 836, under MFC Notation. If you are using the Express edition, do not use any MFC classes. All the MFC classes have names that begin with "C", such as CDocument or CView.

The book states that any fee edition of VC++ 2010 or VS will compile and execute all examples, and that include VS2010 Professional, and btw i used dreamspark, i start high school next year.