Microsoft® Visual C++® offers a host of features to help you write code faster. These features include wizards, ActiveX controls, and automatic code completion. Wizards create Visual C++ projects for you that you can customize to your needs. ActiveX controls offer a way to reuse already-tested and working functionality that someone else programmed in your applications. Automatic code completion eliminates the need to memorize language syntax, parameters, properties, and methods.
Some Visual C++ wizards work with the Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) application framework and the Active Template Library to create starter programs for you. Other wizards help you add functionality to your Visual C++ programs.
| Wizard | Description |
| ATL COM AppWizard | Helps you create an Active Template Library (ATL) application. For more information, see Creating an ATL Project online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0. |
| Custom AppWizard | Helps you create your own project type and add it to the list of available types. For more information, see Creating Custom AppWizards online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0. |
| DevStudio Add-in Wizard | Helps you create add-ins to automate development tasks. Add-ins are in-process COM components (.dll files) written in Visual C++ or Visual Basic. For more information, see Overview: Add-ins for the Visual C++ Developer Studio online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0. |
| ISAPI Extension (Internet Server API) Wizard | Helps you create an Internet Server Application Programming Interface (ISAPI) extension or filter. For more information, see Create an ISAPI DLL with the ISAPI Extension Wizard online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0. |
| Makefile | Helps you create a MAKEFILE project. For more information see Create a MAKEFILE Project online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0. |
| MFC ActiveX ControlWizard | Helps you create an ActiveX control. Creates all necessary files, including source and header files, resource files, a module-definition file, a project file, an object description language file, and so on. For more information, see Create a Program with the MFC ActiveX ControlWizard online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0. |
| MFC AppWizard (enhanced for version 6.0) | Generates a complete suite of source files and resource files based on classes from the MFC library. There are two versions of this wizard, one that helps you create an MFC executable program and one that helps you create an MFC DLL. For more information, see Overview: Creating an MFC EXE Program or Overview: Creating an MFC DLL Program online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0. |
| Utility Project | Helps you create a utility project, which you can use as a container for files you build without a link step, such as a master project for subprojects. For more information, see Overview: Creating a Utility Project online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0. |
| Win32® Application | Helps you create a Win32 program, an executable application written in C or C++ that uses calls to the Win32 application programming interface (API) instead of to MFC classes. For more information, see Overview: Creating a Win32 Program online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0. |
| Win32 Console Application | Helps you create a console program using the Console API functions, which provide character-mode support in console windows. For more information, see Overview: Creating a Console Program online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0. |
| Win32 Dynamic Link Library | Helps you create a Win32 DLL; that is, a binary file written in C or C++ that uses calls to the Win32 API instead of to MFC classes. For more information, see Overview: Creating a Win32 DLL online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0. |
| Win32 Static Library | Helps you create a static library; that is, a file containing objects and their functions and data, which is linked into your program when the executable file is built. For more information, see Overview: Creating a Static Library online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0. |
Visual C++, Professional Edition contains many preregistered ActiveX controls that you can use to create your applications. These ActiveX controls are stored in the Gallery. The Gallery is a storage location for code you want to share or reuse. Two default folders are included with the Gallery as shipped: one for prepackaged Visual C++ components and another for preregistered ActiveX controls.
You can use ActiveX controls just as you would use any of the standard built-in controls. When you add an ActiveX control to your program from the Gallery, the Gallery generates a programmatic interface called an ActiveX control wrapper. This wrapper makes it possible for the ActiveX control to communicate with your program.
New ActiveX controls for this release include the Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0 common controls.
For More Information See the following topics online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0.
The Text editor now features Automatic Statement Completion, also known as IntelliSense. IntelliSense puts the MFC, Win32, and ATL libraries virtually at your fingertips, displaying class members, function prototypes, identifier declarations, and code comments at the mouse or cursor location where you are editing your code. Simple keystrokes insert code elements directly into the source code file you're working in. IntelliSense also completes recognized words for you, saving you from having to type lengthy class or member names repetitively.
For More Information See About Automatic Statement Completion, in the Visual C++ User's Guide online in MSDN Library Visual Studio 6.0.