Programming with Managed Extensions for Microsoft Visual C++ .NET

MOC 2558; 3 Day Training Class

The goal of this Visual C++ .NET training class is to teach existing C++ developers how to write applications for the Microsoft .NET Framework by using Managed Extensions for C++. The course teaches the language differences between standard C++ and Managed Extensions for C++, and focuses on issues such as efficiency and optimization. The training course also discusses interoperability with unmanaged code, and shows how to use COM effectively in managed code.

This course is intended for corporate developers, solution providers, IT Web developers, and IT database developers who are responsible for building knowledge management solutions that provide data analysis, reporting, presentation, and workflow.

At the end of this Visual C++ .NET training course, students will be able to:

• Create Managed C++ applications that execute in the .NET Framework.
• Define __gc (garbage collected) classes in C++.
• Use __gc pointers and references.
• Define and use value types.
• Use inheritance with __gc classes.
• Use __gc arrays, .NET Framework collections, and reflection.
• Use properties, named operator functions, and exceptions in managed code.
• Migrate unmanaged C++ code to Managed C++.
• Use COM interoperability with managed code.

Prerequisites

Before attending this course, students must have:

• Programming experience with C++, using object-oriented programming techniques.
• Familiarity with C++ template libraries.

Microsoft Certified Professional Exams

There is no MCP exam associated with this course.

Student Materials

The student kit includes a comprehensive workbook and other necessary materials for this class.

The following software is provided in the student kit:

• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition
• Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
• Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0

Course Outline

Module 1: Managed C++ Applications and the .NET Framework

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Using C++ in the .NET Framework
• The .NET Framework and Managed Execution Environment
• Programming with Managed Extensions for C++
• Using .NET Framework Developer Tools

After completing this module, you will be able to create Managed C++ projects that use the .NET Framework. This includes:

• Creating native and Managed C++ applications.
• Writing code to use managed types in a C++ application.
• Creating, building, and testing C++ projects for the .NET Framework.

Module 2: Defining __gc Classes

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Defining Classes in Managed C++
• Defining Members in a __gc Class
• Controlling Class Layout

After completing this module, you will be able to define and use __gc classes. This includes:

• Defining __gc classes, and creating and destroying objects of these classes.
• Defining data members, member functions, constructors, and destructors in a __gc class.
• Controlling the layout of classes and unions.

Module 3: __gc Pointers and References

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Pointers and References to __gc and __nogc Objects
• Pinning and Unpinning Pointers
• Delegates and Events

After completing this module, you will be able to define and use pointers to __gc and __nogc objects. This includes:

• Defining and using pointers and references to __gc and __nogc objects.
• inning a pointer to a fixed location, to prevent an object from being relocated by the runtime system.
• Defining delegates to represent member functions in a class
• Using delegates to specify callback functions for events.

Module 4: Value Types

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Creating and Using Value Types
• Boxing and Unboxing Value Types
• Value Enums

After completing this module, you will be able to create and use value types. This includes:

• Defining and using a value type.
• performing boxing and unboxing operations on a value type, so that it can be used where a managed object is required.
• Defining and using value enums

Module 5: Managed Inheritance

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Defining Base Classes and Derived Classes
• Interfaces
• Using Inheritance with Other .NET Framework Languages

After completing this module, you will be able to define __gc base classes, derived classes, and interfaces in C++. This includes:

• Defining base classes and derived classes that use the Managed Extensions for C++.
• Defining and implementing interfaces.
• Defining Managed C++ base classes and derived classes that integrate with classes written in Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual C#.

Module 6: Arrays, Collections, and Reflection

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Defining and Using _gc Arrays
• Using .NET Framework Collection Classes
• Using Reflection

After completing this module, you will be able to create arrays and collections of objects, and use reflection to obtain run time information about objects. This includes:

• Creating, initializing, using, and destroying __gc arrays.
• Using the .NET Framework collection class library to organize objects.
• Using reflection to identify the type, data members, and member functions of an object at run time.

Module 7: Properties, Managed Operators, and Managed Exceptions

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Defining and Using Properties
• Defining and Using Managed Operator Functions
• Exception Handling

After completing this module, you will be able to define and use properties, managed operator functions, and exceptions. This includes:

• Defining properties in a __gc class.
• Defining named operator functions in a __gc class.
• Using exception handling techniques to deal with error conditions in a Managed C++ application.

Module 8: Mixing Managed and Unmanaged Code

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Directly Invoking Native APIs in Managed Code
• Wrapping a __nogc Class in a __gc Class

After completing this module, you will be able to call unmanaged code from managed code, and wrap an unmanaged class in a managed class. This includes:

• Invoking native APIs directly in managed code, using a direct function call or using P/Invoke.
• Defining a __gc C++ class to wrap an unmanaged C++ class, to expose the unmanaged class to the .NET Framework.

Module 9: COM Interoperability

The following topics are covered in this module:

• Importing a COM Type Library into an Interop Assembly
• Using Imported COM Objects
• Exporting an Assembly into a COM Type Library

After completing this module, you will be able to use COM objects in managed code, and export managed classes to COM. This includes:

• Converting the type definitions in a COM type library into a .NET Framework interop assembly.
• Creating and using instances of imported COM objects within a Managed C++ application.
• Using the Type Library Exporter tool to convert managed types into a COM type library.