In today's fast-paced technological world, having a strong command over multiple programming languages is essential for any developer. And when it comes to creating powerful and efficient applications for the Windows platform, nothing beats the combination of Visual Studio C++ and the Windows Template Library (WTL) and Active Template Library (ATL). These two libraries provide a robust framework for developing native Windows applications with a minimal amount of code. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to add WTL and ATL to Visual Studio C++ Express 2008.
Step 1: Download the WTL and ATL Libraries
The first step is to download the latest versions of the WTL and ATL libraries. These can be found on the Microsoft website or on third-party websites such as GitHub. Make sure to choose the correct version that is compatible with Visual Studio C++ Express 2008.
Step 2: Install the Libraries
Once the libraries have been downloaded, the next step is to install them on your system. This can be done by simply running the installer and following the instructions provided. Make note of the installation directory as we will need this later.
Step 3: Open Visual Studio C++ Express 2008
After the libraries have been installed, open Visual Studio C++ Express 2008. If you already have a project open, close it and create a new empty project.
Step 4: Add the WTL and ATL Include Directories
In order for Visual Studio to recognize the WTL and ATL libraries, we need to add their include directories to our project. To do this, right-click on the project name in the Solution Explorer and select Properties. In the project properties window, navigate to Configuration Properties -> VC++ Directories. Then, under the Include Directories section, add the path to the WTL and ATL include directories that were specified during installation.
Step 5: Add the WTL and ATL Libraries
Next, we need to add the actual libraries to our project. To do this, right-click on the project name in the Solution Explorer and select Add -> Existing Item. Navigate to the installation directory of the WTL and ATL libraries and select all the .lib files. Make sure to select them all at once to avoid any errors.
Step 6: Configure the Project Properties
Now that the libraries have been added, we need to configure the project properties to use them. In the project properties window, navigate to Configuration Properties -> Linker -> Input. Under the Additional Dependencies section, add the names of the WTL and ATL libraries, separated by a semicolon. For example, “wtl.lib;atl.lib”.
Step 7: Create a Sample Application
We are now ready to create a sample application using the WTL and ATL libraries. In the Solution Explorer, right-click on the project name and select Add -> New Item. Choose the WTL Application Wizard and click Add. This will open a wizard that will guide you through the process of creating a WTL application. Follow the steps and make sure to select the option to add ATL support when prompted.
Step 8: Build and Run the Application
Once the project has been created, we can now build and run our application. Press F7 to build the project and then press F5 to run it. If everything has been configured correctly, you should see a simple WTL window with the text “Hello World!” displayed.
Congratulations! You have successfully added WTL and ATL to your Visual Studio C++ Express 2008 project. With these powerful libraries, you can now create native Windows applications with ease and efficiency. Make sure to explore the vast capabilities of WTL and ATL and take your programming skills to the next level. Happy coding!
