FAQ: Most Commonly Asked Questions About Visual C++ Version 2.1

MORE INFORMATION

1. How do I get Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition, version 2.1?
   
   Purchase the Microsoft Visual C++ Subscription. If you have Visual C++ version 2.0, you can purchase an upgrade to the subscription by mailing in the coupon in your version 2.0 box or by calling Microsoft at 800-426-9400. Otherwise, you can contact your nearest reseller.
   
   The subscription is available in the U.S., Canada, or Europe only. If you live outside these areas, you must purchase Visual C++ version 2.0 and contact your subsidiary for the upgrade.
2. When is it available?
   
   Subscribers started receiving it at the end of February 1995.
3. What is in it?
   
   The first subscription release of Visual C++. It adds new functionality to the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) Library to support Windows 95, as well as Simple MAPI and Windows Sockets. It also adds new features to the OLE Control Developer's Kit (CDK) including the ability to use MFC database classes in OLE controls. Finally, the release includes new samples, documentation, and of course bug fixes. Review the rest of this article for more details.
4. I paid $199 for version 2.0, so why do I have to pay $199 again for the subscription?
   
   If you bought the version 2.0 subscription, you get version 2.0 and three releases (one year's worth). If you bought the subscription now, you get version 2.1 and three releases (one year's worth). On an ongoing basis the subscription will be $299 for a year, so you are receiving a discount because you bought version 2.0.
5. I just want bug fixes how do I get those?
   
   You need to buy the subscription to get the version 2.1 release. We will be following a pattern of three releases a year, generally one major release that will be available for purchase stand-alone and two other releases that will contain a variety of content and be available to just subscribers. Of course, if there is a bug that affects a large number of people, we will make it available free as a patch as we always have.
6. When is version 3.0 coming out?
   
   We do not discuss future releases.
7. Why isn't there a Macintosh or RISC subscription?
   
   Microsoft is investigating this. At this point, Macintosh or RISC products are lower volume products, and because this release focuses on Windows 95, it isn't a big issue as far as features.
8. Does Visual C++ version 2.1 still come with the 16-bit Visual C++?
   
   Yes, version 1.52 of 16-bit Visual C++ ships with the subscription update. We updated MFC with MAPI, WinSocket, and CPropertyPage/Sheet support and made several bug fixes.
9. Are you going to continue to bring 32-bit MFC features back to 16-bit MFC?
   
   In general our focus in on the 32-bit product and Win32 development. We have no further plans to update the 16-bit product beyond maintenance.
10. I've subscribed, why I haven't received it?
    
    Here are several possible reasons why:
    
    
    • You did not activate your subscription. You must send in the activation card that came in the box. You'll find it next to the MFC hierarchy chart. If you lost it, please call 800-719-5577 and have your Product ID number ready.
    • You live outside the United States or Canada. The Visual C++ Subscription is now being launched in Western Europe. As for other countries, we're working on it. Please understand that it takes time to get the subscription available everywhere, so this CD will be available as a standalone upgrade through your local subsidiary.
    • You bought the non-subscription edition. If you live in the U.S. or Canada, you can upgrade to Visual C++ Subscription by sending in the upgrade card in the box. If you lost the card, please call Microsoft at 1-800-719-5577 to order the Subscription.
    • Something else went wrong. Please call Microsoft at 1-800-719-5577 with your Product ID number and we'll try to work things out.

WHAT'S NEW IN VISUAL C++ VERSION 2.1

Additions to Editors and Wizards

• Dialog editor support for new Windows Common Controls. You can add spin- button, tab, tree view, and other Common Controls to dialog boxes in your Windows 95 applications (and in applications for future versions of Windows NT). If you want to add Windows Common Controls to your application, you must be running under the same operating system on which the target application will run. For example, you can develop an application under Windows NT version 3.5 that will run on Windows 95, but you cannot include Windows Common Controls.
• ClassWizard support for new Windows Common Controls. Map control notification messages to MFC handler functions, and add classes derived from Windows Common Control classes. ClassWizard's improved layout makes these tasks easier.
• AppWizard support for Simple MAPI (the Windows Messaging API) and Windows Sockets.
• Complete AppWizard support for OLE Automation in a dynamic-link library (DLL).
• AppWizard support for creating a USRDLL project. AppWizard can now provide you with a skeleton CWinApp-derived object, rather than a DllMain function as it does when creating an MFC Extension DLL.

New features in 32-bit MFC

• New Windows Common Control classes. Currently you can use these controls only in applications that will run under Windows 95. They will also be supported by future versions of Windows NT (starting with Windows NT version 3.51) and Win32s.
• Support for Simple MAPI, the Windows Messaging API, in classes CDocument and COleDocument.
• Windows Sockets classes for network programming (CAsyncSocket, CSocket, and CSocketFile).
• New 32-bit Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) drivers for use with the MFC database classes.

• Besides OLE and database classes, this version includes classes for OLE control development. It also includes a number of new MFC 2.52 classes ported from the 32-bit product.
• Like the 32-bit product, new features in MFC 2.52 include: Support for Simple MAPI in classes CDocument and COleDocument, Windows Sockets classes for network programming, and new 16-bit ODBC drivers for use with the MFC database classes.
• In addition, the 16-bit version now includes CPropertySheet and CPropertyPage -- MFC classes that support "tab dialog boxes" [ASCII 151] known as "property sheets" in MFC. Previously, these were only available in 32-bit Visual C++ 2.0.

New to the OLE Control Developer's Kit (CDK)

• Support for using the MFC database classes in OLE controls. This allows you to create data access controls using the CDatabase and CRecordset classes. The database support also includes a sample program, called DB, which illustrates the use of the MFC ODBC database classes in an OLE control.
• OLE controls that work under Win32s.
• Performance improvements, particularly in the areas of control creation and property access.
• Support for "grab handles" when controls are active.

Bug fixes and information