REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 11, 1997 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that the Microsoft® Visual C++® development system version 5.0, Professional Edition, the latest version of the C++ development tool now most widely in use, will be available on March 19. The award-winning Visual C++ includes new features in version 5.0 that increase developer productivity by making it easier to build powerful ActiveX
™
component-based applications, key to integrating client/server and Internet technologies. These features include native support for Microsoft’s Component Object Model (COM), new class libraries, an improved compiler that generates faster, smaller code, an enhanced development environment, and extensive support for the ANSI C++ language standard.
“Visual C++ 5.0 takes the complexity out of component-based development,” said Chris Williams, business unit manager in the applications and Internet client group at Microsoft. “By enabling easier development and use of fast ActiveX components, Visual C++ 5.0 will become the tool of choice for leading-edge Internet application development, as it is today for Windows® -based application development.”
Component-Based Development Made Easy
ActiveX components (COM objects) may run on Windows operating system-based clients and servers or in Internet browsers. The ability to create small components that download over the Internet quickly and economize disk space as well as very fast components that optimize otherwise slow portions of an application makes Visual C++ an essential tool for building both client/server and Internet-based solutions. New features for building ActiveX component-based applications include these:
-
Native support for COM. Visual C++ 5.0 provides native support for COM. Now, any ActiveX component can be used and reused in Visual C++ regardless of the language the component was written in, greatly reducing application complexity and increasing code reusability. In addition, Visual C++ 5.0 includes Visual COM editing for adding properties and methods to a COM object.
-
Microsoft Foundation Classes and Templates. In addition to Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC), a library standard for C++ programmers, Visual C++ 5.0 includes the new Active Template Library (ATL) for developing the smallest, fastest components possible, ideal for running across the Internet. ATL is now supported by two wizards, the ATL Object Wizard and the ATL Applications Wizard, improving developer productivity.
Major Performance Gains in Applications Compiled With Visual C++ 5.0
Applications created in Visual C++ 5.0 will be about 10 percent smaller and faster than applications created with Visual C++ 4.2, currently the fastest compiler on the market. These improvements mean developers’ applications will be even more attractive to end users, as they will load and run faster, which is especially important when accessing applications over the Internet or a corporate network or when using typical home computers. In addition, Visual C++ 5.0 adds support for Intel MMX technology and the Pentium Pro processor, so developers can create applications that take full advantage of high-performance hardware where available.
Additional Features
-
Enhanced Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The Developer Studio IDE in Visual C++ 5.0 includes the Visual Basic programming system, Scripting Edition, which enables developers to automate repetitive tasks.
-
ANSI C++ language-standard conformance. Visual C++ 5.0 includes the latest ANSI C++ language features and thereby offers more comprehensive support for the C++ language standard than any previous version. Standards support enables developers using Visual C++ to stay up-to-date on the newest C++ technologies.
Visual C++ 5.0 to Ship in Visual Studio 97
Visual C++ 5.0 is a key element of Visual Studio
™
97, a comprehensive suite of Microsoft development tools for building client/server, multitier and Web-based solutions. Visual Studio 97 development software will include Visual C++ 5.0, Visual Basic 5.0, the
Visual J++
™
development tool version 1.1, the Visual InterDev
™
Web application development system version 1.0, and the Visual FoxPro
™
5.0 database management system. Microsoft will release both a Professional and an Enterprise edition of the Visual Studio suite, which is scheduled to be available March 19, at Microsoft Developer Days 97.
Availability and Additional Information
Microsoft Visual C++ version 5.0, Professional Edition is also scheduled to be available March 19, 1997. Users who acquire Visual C++ 4.0, Professional Edition after Jan. 27, 1997, are eligible for a free upgrade to Visual C++ 5.0, Professional Edition (shipping and handling charges apply). Visual C++ 5.0 will be available both as part of the Visual Studio 97 suite and as a standalone product. For more information on the Visual C++ family of products, including Visual C++ 5.0, Professional Edition, visit the Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/visualc/ .
For developers who need to learn MFC and Visual C++ 5.0 quickly, Microsoft also announces the ninth title in its award-winning Mastering series, Mastering MFC Development using Visual C++ 5.0. which contains more than 40 hours of interactive multimedia technical instruction. For more information on the Mastering series titles, visit the Mastering Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/mastering/ .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft, Visual C++ , ActiveX , Windows , Visual Basic , Visual Studio , Visual J++ , Visual InterDev and Visual FoxPro are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.
