Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 Reference Library : Reference Library (5 Volume Set)

Did you ever got frustrated from programming Windows application because you couldn't find the documentation when needed the most? Be honest now, can you really say the MSDN cds are all you need to give you adequate documentation to get by MFC? Maybe so, but you are probably doing it the hard way. Let me let you in a trick that I learn from Windows programming that can help you become more efficient in MFC. Place the volume 1 & 2 of this reference set beside your computer on the angle desk. Yup, believe it or not, this essentially give you about 3000 pages of well indexed references to all of MFC classes from A - Z. And do your self a favour, bookmark the section to CWnd and CDC clases for quick access to the core of Windows programming. With these books and the MSDN library, that's enough to make you very dangerous.

This is the first book I read out of the volume set (5 books total), and why? Because it is an excellent, and well indexed resource on C/C++ reference. Here, let me give you a quick run down on a few items that this volume has. 1) Buffer Manipulation and Memory Allocation. (can be useful when working with array).2) Data Conversion core subroutines. (they are like the abc of programming if you ask me.)3) Directory and file Handling routines. (quick solution to Windows directory)4) Stream I/O and low I/O. (very detailed topic on stream)5) Searching and Sorting. (qsort, bsearch, ...there if you needed)6) String Manipulation. (very, very complete listing of string functions)7) Time Managment routines. (you will use these guys sooner or later)If you looking for a C/C++ reference, I highly recommend this volume. I can't recommend the entire set because I haven't finish reading them yet. Anyway, I hope this help.

As stated in other reviews, the information in this 5 volume set is the same as what is found on the MSDN CDs, but it is at least 10 times easier finding information in the book(s). I am new to c++, and was getting discouraged because it was so difficult to find what I needed. Since I got this set, I can do in a week what used to take 4-6 weeks without it. If you want to code with Visual C++, its a no brainer, you need it.

Online help is fine but there are effective limits to its usefullness. It can quickly become a maze in which you get lost and of course you have to be at the computer to use it. After dithering around I decided to buy the Visual C++ 6.0 Reference Library and it's a treasure. Yes, it is essentially what is in the MSDN library but the books are so much easier to use. You can quickly target and access just what you need to know and the Language Reference organizes that specific type of information you need to refer to often, such as variable specs and accuracy ranges. This is a worthwhile buy if you're serious about programming Visual C++, almost a necessity.

Not knowing much about C++ Programming I was completely unaware of how much the programmer actually needs to know and understand in order to write code correctly. After looking at this five-volume reference library I am now know why programmers are paid so much.In volumes one and two you have over 3000 pages of the MFC Reference library. Alone these two books cost over $250.00. Both of the books are in alphabetical order and they list out the complete code and give you examples of what the code will look like after you write it. These two books make this set worth the purchase by themselves.In volume three, labeled the Template Library, you have over 800 pages of code in an overview and active template format. As if that is not enough to satisfy even the more avid programmer the volume also includes OLE Database templates.Moving along to volume four, the Run-Time Library Reference, an 825 plus page plethora of coding information. You are given Functions and parameters of the complete run-time libraries. Microsoft Press also includes the source code and an enormous amount of coding examples. The first 4 books alone are more than you could ask for, however Microsoft doesn't stop there. In volume 5 you have an 800 plus page language Reference library. The volume covers terminology and concepts as well as structure, functions and examples. What Microsoft has done has brought together the encyclopedia of C++ programming code libraries. Once again Microsoft is making it easier to do your job.