Programming Windows with MFC, Second Edition Prosise, Jeff

The newly updated and expanded second edition of this acclaimed title covers 32-bit development for all Microsoft(r) Windows platforms, including Windows 2000, using the Microsoft Foundation Class Library (MFC). Aimed at developers who wish to capitalize on advances in the MFC for rapid, object-oriented programming, the book delves into MFC basics, progresses to the document/view architecture, then addresses advanced topics including ActiveX(r), OLE, and COM. Author Jeff Prosise once again sets the standard in describing the art of writing MFC-based Windows applications with his clear and comprehensive treatment of concepts and techniques. Readers will discover how to produce incredible functionality with little new code by appropriating MFC code from the class library. They'll also find sample programs and executables on the book's CD-ROM to further fuel their own projects.

The second edition of Jeff Prosise's Programming Windows with MFC is a great introduction to the programming language that will help you build client-side applications in MFC. Though it doesn't cover Internet development, this title provides a worthy tutorial on traditional MFC programming.

After some MFC basics, the book looks at Graphical Device Interface (GDI) graphics with a fine discussion of drawing and font handling. Following this, Prosise introduces the use of the MFC collection classes (an alternative to STL) and file I/O, as well as adding serialization support to custom classes.

He also dedicates a fair amount of text to basic Windows controls and dialog boxes. His tour of support for both the Single Document Interface (SDI) and Multiple Document Interface (MDI) application styles is just excellent. The built-in view classes in MFC and how to use them in a Windows Explorer-style sample program are covered. From there, it's on to other common GUI interface models such as toolbars, status bars, and the new Internet Explorer-style rebars. After a useful section on printing (including some valuable real-world tips for this tricky topic), the rich array of Windows common controls is discussed. As in the first edition, Prosise's introduction to MFC multithreading and synchronization objects (like mutexes) is a standout.

The last section of the book provides a comprehensive discussion of COM and ActiveX programming for the MFC developer. Although the Active Template Library (ATL) is omitted here, there are fine examples of building and using ActiveX controls, including the basics of OLE automation.

Newly revised with richer examples and the latest Windows functionality, the second edition of Programming Windows with MFC provides one of the best available tutorials for traditional MFC development. --Richard Dragan