C++/CLI in Action (Manning) [Paperback]

Nishant Sivakumar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 18, 2007 | Series: Manning

C++ is the language of choice for thousands of applications and millions of lines of code. With C++/CLI, developers can integrate existing C++ code into the .NET platform without rewriting their applications. This book explores the C++/CLI syntax, teaches how to mix native C++ and managed .NET code, and shows how to integrate C++ with Windows Forms, WPF (Avalon), and WCF (Indigo).

Imagine taking a C++-based program you've been using for a decade and giving it a snazzy new interface using Windows Presentation Foundation. How about making your old business applications talk to your new ones using Windows Communication Foundation. C++/CLI makes this--and more--possible. C++/CLI in Action shows you how to bridge the gap between your existing C++ code and the .NET platform. C++/CLI in Action will help you if:

You're hesitant to migrate to .NET because it means rewriting code in C# or VB. You have significant C++ expertise that you want to leverage in the .NET. You only need to use pieces of the .NET framework, such as Windows Forms or web services.

There's no fluff here. Designed for readers who already know C++, this book starts by teaching the unique aspects of the C++/CLI language. After a quick tour through the basics, readers work through examples of integrating standard C++ into the .NET-based applications and building programs that mix C++ and .NET code for maximum performance and efficiency.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nishant Sivakumar has been programming since 19909, and has extensive experience with Visual C++, MFC, C#, and the .NET Framework. Nish has been a Microsoft Visual C++ MVP since 2002, and maintains an MVP tips and tricks website (www.voidnish.com) along with a Microsoft Technology blog (blog.voidnish.com). He works for The Code Project and is in charge of the MFC libraries Ultimate Toolbox, Ultimate Grid and Ultimate TCP/IP products sold through The Code Project Storefront. Nish has been working with Microsoft Technologies since the DOS days and is currently exploring .NET 3.0 technologies such as WPF and WCF. Nish loves reading Science Fiction, P G Wodehouse and Agatha Christie. In addition to C++/CLI in Action, Nish has authored Extending MFC applications with the .NET Framework as well as Summer Love and Some More Cricket, a romantic comedy. Presently, he lives in Toronto with his loving wife Smitha.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Manning Publications (April 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932394818
• ISBN-13: 978-1932394818
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #881,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nish is a Software Developer living in Atlanta who has been coding since 1990. Originally from sunny Trivandrum in India, he recently moved to Atlanta from Toronto and is a little sad that he won't be able to play in snow anymore.

He has several years of experience in Visual C++ and .NET technologies, and has been a Microsoft Visual C++ MVP since October 2002. He maintains an MVP tips and tricks web site - www.voidnish.com where you can find a consolidated list of his articles, writings and ideas on VC++, MFC, .NET and C++/CLI. You might want to check out his blog on C++/CLI, MFC, .NET and a lot of other stuff - blog.voidnish.com.

Presently Nish works for a company that makes Enterprise Cost Management software. When he's not coding, Nish loves to travel and see new places.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, May 14, 2007

By 

KG "KG" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: C++/CLI in Action (Manning) (Paperback)

Nishant did an excellent job with this book. The only complaint is that he could have made it bigger.

He separates himself from the rest. The difference is his book covers:

1. MFC/Managed C++ integration. Excellent chapter.

He shows how to add any Managed class to either

an MFC Dialog or MFC View. My favorite chapters are

five and six.

2. Templates/Generic mixing. Even covers managed template

inheritance.

3. Advanced event covering with C++. I have worked with C++/C#

for years, and I didn't know this about events. Very good.

4. Avalon integration. This is somewhat lacking, but it is still

very good coverage.

I would recommend this book to anybody.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent text, June 15, 2008

By 

golden_ "golden_" (Colorado) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: C++/CLI in Action (Manning) (Paperback)

The book is well written, and brings the reader along slowly enough to grasp all the important concepts along the way. The book will take an experienced C++ programmer easily through every concept he/she needs to know in order to use the language in the .NET environment.

Chapter 1 introduces simple CLI concepts such as the /clr compiler option, CLR types, handles, gcnew, and boxing. Chapters 2 and 3 graduate to more advanced concepts including delegates, finalizers, managed templates, and generics.

Chapters 4 and 5 explain how to mix native code and managed code, in numerous, practical scenarios. The author presents one very clever technique for wrapping managed classes, which is more elegant than any other techniques you are likely to encounter.

Chapter 6 explains how to interop Windows Forms with MFC or vice versa. Chapter 7 shows three techniques for using WPF (Avalon) in C++/CLI (yes, it is possible). By the way, the third technique is no longer supported by Microsoft. And finally, chapter 8 covers WCF.

The author writes in a style that is interesting and keeps the reader engaged. He uses analogies effectively to help the reader connect concepts or to see them in a different light. He reassures the reader when a new idea is first mentioned, that it will be fully explained at a later point, if not in the current context. I found Sivakumar to be one of the best technical authors out there.

I would highly recommend this book to someone who needs to make the move to .NET programming from plain C++, or for someone who needs to interop managed and unmanaged code.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good, November 7, 2008

By 

Phil H (Alpharetta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: C++/CLI in Action (Manning) (Paperback)

There aren't many C++/CLI books out there, and although this is the only one I've read, I have to say it's excellent. The first two parts of the book are essential reading and really represent all anyone should need to know about C++/CLI, in my opinion. The discussion on generics and managed templates was great.