3.8 Visual C++

Over recent years, C++ has been the language of choice for developers writing packaged applications or solutions that need C++ s extra performance. In fact, C++ is used to write many of the applications that Microsoft releases and is the staple tool of the Redmond-based developers.

As expected, Visual C++ has undergone some enhancements for .NET, but one of the major differences between it and the other .NET languages is the support for both managed and unmanaged code.

Managed code is written when C++ classes need to use the .NET Framework. Visual C++ now has a set of extensions to the language that enables developers to target the .NET platform with their application.