Beginning MFC Programming

Approximately a decade ago, I was teaching an accelerated program in computer science and one of the sections covered advanced C++ programming using Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC). This book was the text selected for that section and I was not part of the selection process. Therefore, I had some reservations about the situation, but fortunately, those fears proved groundless. Horton does an excellent job in presenting the principles of MFC programming and using it, I was able to give the students some rather advanced programming projects. The students voiced no major complaints about the book; the most severe was that if they read the chapter(s) before class they occasionally found them confusing. However, when they re-read them after class, the material made sense. Therefore, I found this book to be a sound introductory text for classes in programming with Microsoft Foundation Classes.

It is a nice book, considering its promises: for beginners, focus on MFC and assuming readers have decent knowledge on C++ and OOP.I like the style by adding code to previous version on the way of learning. The explanation is enough except last 3 chapters, but which are sort of beyond the scope of a beginning's book. However, you can still get a taste of the advanced topics like ActiveX and ATL.

The author is definitely in my list of people who is capable of explaining concepts clearly and at reasonable length. To be fair to the book, it is not trying to be all things to all people - it presumes some knowledge of Windows and a reasonable knowledge of C++ and gives you a reasonable knowledge of MFC. You will need to get another book later on without a doubt, but that's what you would expect from a book titled "Beginning..." With this in mind I think this book does an excellent job - especially if your the type of person who likes to be hand-held just a little and you prefer explanations that are longer rather than shorter. Still, MFC is not for whimps and you will have to put on your thinking cap. If it does rely on automatic code, as another review suggests, then I would suggest that you learn about that in more advanced tutorials - I am glad there weren't chapters on understanding code that the wizard generates in a "beginning" book! Similarly, the paper used explaining mundane things is something I'm prepared to wear and for someone who is used to using Borland C++, are often extremely useful. Excellent book that achieves what it aims to do.

This book is simply amazing! It starts by teaching you the basics of Win95 and MFC, and leads you to advanced stuff. If you know c++, and have'nt got a clue on Windows programming, this book is a must! gives you a good grasp on the material and a good base to start from.

Beginning MFC Programming is a great book to have if you want to learn windows programming using MFC with Visual C++ 5.0. Ivor Horton, the author, walk you through every necessary steps to grasp the concept of MFC and more. Every chapter in the book have the same consistency in details and concepts to keep you awake and informed. After reading each chapter, you will feel that you have learn another new concept and new skills, which is very rare in other computer books. I use this book and "Professional MFC Programming" from the same publisher ,WROX, at work to help me through my project. This is a must have MFC tutorial and reference book. Go get it!!