C / C++ / MFC

18-Dec-07 2:29

Hi,

We're currently implementing a game application using directX with MFC. We have came across the option to use windows forms (in C++) which will simplify the GUI dev. Since one of the requirements is to support Win2000 clients (estimated around 5% of the global PC market!) the trade off is the CLR redist package that we'll have to bring along.

My questions are: did anybody wrote windows forms in c++ with DirectX? If so, what are the cons and pros? And in general is it a good idea to use managed c++ with directX.

I'll appriciate judicious and experienced answers.

Thanks in advance.

Snir_ya.

CPallini18-Dec-07 3:37

18-Dec-07 3:37

There are several articles here on DirectX either with MFC and managed code. Try also to ask the guys of the C++/CLI forum.
Smile | :)

If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler.
-- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.

snir_ya18-Dec-07 4:09

18-Dec-07 4:09

Thanks a lot mate.

Mark Salsbery18-Dec-07 6:17

Mark Salsbery

18-Dec-07 6:17

What part of forms on top of MFC simplifies your GUI development?

It seems to me using MFC and forms only complicates things.

If using MFC, can you use dialogs instead?
If you want to go managed, have you looked at XNA?

Mark

Mark Salsbery
Microsoft MVP - Visual C++
Java | [Coffee]

snir_ya18-Dec-07 6:26

18-Dec-07 6:26

Thanks for your answer Mark.

I'm developing a casino application with a lobby as the main win. Selecting a game from the lobby menu opens the game in another window. You're saying i can open the game in a dialog. Does that make sense?

Besides, i'm still perplexed by which windows architecture i should use. View/Document (MDI) or dialog based. These are critical issus that i'm facing right now. The directX requirement complicates things even further.

I'll appriciate your advise.

Thanks.

Snir_ya.

Mark Salsbery18-Dec-07 6:51

Mark Salsbery

18-Dec-07 6:51

snir_ya wrote:
You're saying i can open the game in a dialog. Does that make sense?

It doesn't have to be a dialog - any window will work.

I was just wondering why you thought forms would simplify this?

snir_ya wrote:
i'm still perplexed by which windows architecture i should use. View/Document (MDI) or dialog based

You don't have to use either. Your application's main window can be any
type of window. If the design of your application doesn't involve documents and
views of those documents, then certainly don't use doc/view architecture.

snir_ya wrote:
The directX requirement complicates things even further

In windowed mode, then the same issues as above apply. In fullscreen mode, you don't
have to worry much about windows. If you want your game to work in both modes, then
you'll need windows.

I would recommend using the framework you (and your team if applicable)
are most comfortable with, whether it's straight Win32 APIs, MFC, or .NET.
They are still all valid solutions so using the one you're strongest
in will probably yield the best end result.

Mark

Mark Salsbery
Microsoft MVP - Visual C++
Java | [Coffee]

snir_ya18-Dec-07 7:05

18-Dec-07 7:05

Thanks again Mark. You're very helpful.

Mark Salsbery wrote:
In windowed mode, then the same issues as above apply. In fullscreen mode, you don't
have to worry much about windows. If you want your game to work in both modes, then
you'll need windows.

What do you mean by "windowed mode"? we do intend to give the users the option to play in full/partial screen mode. So by "you'll need windows" are you refering to the obligation to use the doc/view windows architecture?

Snir_ya.

Mark Salsbery18-Dec-07 7:15

Mark Salsbery

18-Dec-07 7:15

snir_ya wrote:
What do you mean by "windowed mode"?

I meant the same thing as your "partial screen mode", where
you host your Direct3D stuff in a window Smile | :)

Again, you don't have to use doc/view architecture. For
example, if using MFC, a CFrameWnd or even a CWnd is all you need.
They're all windows - there's no need to complicate things with
MFC stuff like doc/view if you're not using it. The windowing part
should be the easy part, so you can focus on the game development Smile | :)

Mark

Mark Salsbery
Microsoft MVP - Visual C++
Java | [Coffee]

snir_ya18-Dec-07 7:21

member variable initialization

18-Dec-07 7:21

Great. It's all clear now. Many thanks Wink | ;)

Snir_ya.

George_George18-Dec-07 2:13

George_George

18-Dec-07 2:13

Hello everyone,

I am wondering in the following code, member variable a in class B is not put in the initialization list or constructor of B directly, but it is initialized. How and when member variable a of class B is created and initialized? Is constructor of B invokes constructor of a?

Output is,

In constructor A
In constructor B

using namespace std;

class A
{
public:

	A()
	{
		cout << "In constructor A" << endl;
	}
};

class B
{
public:

	A a;

	B()
	{
		cout << "In constructor B" << endl;
	}
};

int main()
{
	B b;

	return 0;
}

thanks in advance,
George

CPallini18-Dec-07 2:23

18-Dec-07 2:23

You can find all answers here
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/kstd9k24(vs.71).aspx[^]

Smile | :)

If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler.
-- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.

Re: member variable initialization [modified]

George_George18-Dec-07 2:48

George_George

18-Dec-07 2:48

Thanks CPallini,

My question is answered.

regards,
George

George L. Jackson18-Dec-07 2:55

George L. Jackson

18-Dec-07 2:55

Order of the member variables affects initialization. Play around with the order of the A and B member variables in C:

#include <iostream>

using std::wcout;
 
class A
{
public:
	A()
	{
		wcout << L"A\n";
	}
};
 
class B
{
public:
	B()
	{
		wcout << L"B\n";
	}
};
 
class C
{
	A a;
	B b;
public:
	C() : a()
	{
		wcout << L"D\n";
	}
};
 
int _tmain(int argc, _TCHAR* argv[])
{
	C c;
 
	wcout << L"End\n";
}

More constructor information: http://www.parashift.com/c++-faq-lite/ctors.html[^]

Free e-books: http://www.mindview.net/Books/TICPP/ThinkingInCPP2e.html[^]

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." --Winston Churchill

modified on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:40:05 AM

George_George18-Dec-07 3:10

George_George

18-Dec-07 3:10

Thanks George,

The output is,

A
B
D
End.

But I do not know what do you want to prove? Any more descriptions please?

regards,
George

toxcct18-Dec-07 3:15

18-Dec-07 3:15

George_George wrote:
I do not know what do you want to prove?

are you stupid ? you have the order of execution, so you can deduce from there the order in which the members are initialized... D'Oh! | :doh:

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CPallini18-Dec-07 3:19

18-Dec-07 3:19

perhaps a stronger example could be

...
public:
	C() : b()
	{
		wcout << L"D\n";
	}
...

If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler.
-- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.

CPallini18-Dec-07 3:23

18-Dec-07 3:23

toxcct wrote:
are you stupid ?

You're definitely unable to be patient with that guy!
Big Grin | :-D

If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler.
-- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.

toxcct18-Dec-07 3:30

18-Dec-07 3:30

PATIENT ? WTF !!!

i've been waiting 1 year and a half for an answer to a question of mine, and you call me not patient ? Mad | :mad:

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CPallini18-Dec-07 3:33

18-Dec-07 3:33

toxcct wrote:
i've been waiting 1 year and a half for an answer to a question of mine, and you call me not patient ?

and did he eventually give it?
Roll eyes | :rolleyes:

If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler.
-- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.

toxcct18-Dec-07 3:38

18-Dec-07 3:38

eventually ?

have you ever seen that monkey replying to one of your questions ?

but you know, those chinese people (i mean, the ones living in china) have so much restrictions over their head by their governement that i wouldn't be astonished that they are feared to give too much personal informations.

anyway, i definitely know a good one about him : George_George is a prat, a moron, wait, A DICKHEAD !!
someone with a minimal common sense wouldn't reask same things again and again.

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CPallini18-Dec-07 3:45

18-Dec-07 3:45

toxcct wrote:
have you ever seen that monkey replying to one of your questions ?

Yes, he did.

I understand you're angry with him, but... be patient.
Smile | :)

If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler.
-- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.

toxcct18-Dec-07 3:52