FC wrote:
> I am a Computer Engineering student, as part of my curriculum I have
> taken quite a few programming classes. Most of them were given in C++. I
> am almost done with my studies and I have yet to see a course where they
> teach how to create an application that uses a GUI.
That's because C++ itself is best understood as a portable solution for hard
logical problems. All GUIs are platform-specific by nature, and learning to
use one compares to learning raw C++ essentially as driving a car compares
to rebuilding its engine.
> By this I mean a
> window that has menus like the usual file, edit, view, etc. I know that
> can be done using C++ in conjunction with other technologies such as
> ASP, ADO, and .NET.
Oooookay. Firstly, all those are MS-specific. That means a better sentence
with "other technologies such as" would go "Win32 SDK, Qt, Gtk+..." etc. The
sentence should cover the full breadth of the industry.
ASP is a ticklish HTML generating system, ADO is a data layer, and .NET is a
platform - a complete set of modules that provide complete services for
programs to use.
> I also know that there are C++ programs that
> interact with databases (Oracle, MSAccess, MySQL, etc). My question to
> you guys/gals is: Where do I find the info to learn more about this
> stuff?
www.google.com
> I would like to purchase a book. Assuming I am a fairly
> proficient C++ programmer, what book would you recommend in order for me
> to learn how to create an application that uses these technologies?
The crisis here is between the generic and specific. If you ask for modern
Win32 textbooks, walk into the nearest large bookstore and look for books on
VC++. They will cover various ways to program "windows", including MFC and
ATL. The best way is WTL, but that might not have a book yet.
> PS: I hope I am not off topic.
The questions "how to use C++ to...?" and "what's the best [generally
portable] library to...?" are on topic. The point of topicality is to entice
C++ generalists to work this newsgroup and give you the best answer.
Specific questions about the answers to these questions are best served in
their own respective forums, which might not be so impartial.
Assuming you don't want to run Linux, GNU, Gnome, KDE, Qt, or Tk, use
http://groups.google.com to find a microsoft-specific newsgroup that covers
these questions.
--
Phlip
http://industrialxp.org/community/bi...UserInterfaces