Teach Yourself Visual C++ .NET in 24 Hours

This book is for developers who want to develop .NET applications using Visual C++ 7.0 as the programming language. It covers the new features of Visual C++ which support .NET while lightly covering the new MFC and ATL enhancements as they relate to the .NET architecture, but focuses heavily on developing for the .NET framework. The book takes the reader through a simple .NET application, a more advanced application, and Internet development in .NET. The reader is also shown the differences between managed and unmanaged Visual C++ code and how to integrate them--critical information for migrating legacy C++ applications to the .NET architecture.

User review
Too lightweight!
I bought this to help me with a graduate electrical engineering class that has a programming assignment to be written in Visual C++ .NET. Through other coursework, I am very familiar with the C++ language and have coded many C++ programs on Unix machines using the g++ compiler. However, I had very little experience with windows programming other than ASP.NET and XML Web Services programming using Visual Basic .Net. I also do not have any substantial experience with traditional Visual C++ with MFC, which the author recommends, but I felt I should still be able to work through the book. I did not finish the book. I worked through the first 2 or 3 chapters and felt that the explanations were too brief and code was not explained. Also, the sample code did not compile on my machine -- that could have been my own errors -- I don't know. But I decided the book was just too skimpy in explanations and returned it. I got Special Edition, Using Visual C++ .NET by Kate Gregory and am starting to work through that. So far, the experience is much better although the book is much thicker. At least I have a sense I know what I am doing instead of just blindly following terse instructions.

User review
Not for the beginner
The book is not designed for beginners despite being published in a series called `Teach Yourself`. The authors specify the target audience as `Those who have some exposure to C++`. It is misleading not to have this reflected in the book's title. Perhaps the previous reviewer gave it 5* because he had the prerequisite experience.

As a beginner I found the book to be of little use. It has been published in a series that I would assume is for the beginner and so I have given it 1*. If you have some experience in VC++ and want to transfer your skills to the .NET environment you might find this book useful?

User review
Interesting and Informative
As an MCSD, I have struggled to get my hands around all of the concepts involved in C++. After multiple classes and hours in training, I was refereshed to read this book which integrates intuitive knowledge, simple instructions and SUCCESSFUL C++ programming. Well Done to Mr. Simon and Mr. Schmidt!