Guidelines for Creating Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Projects

What is a project?

A project is a text file that contains the names and locations of all its program files. Program files could be C++ source file or header file. In general you should create a project before you write any C++ program.  The steps for starting Microsoft Visual Studio .NET and creating projects are as follows:

1. Starting Microsoft Visual  Studio .NET
    Click on Start tab
    Click on Programs
    Click on Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003
    Select Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003

2. You should have a screen like the followings:

3. Creating a Microsoft Visual C++ project
    Click File from the menu in MS Visual Studion IDE
    Click on New
    Select Project
    From the list of project types, select Visual C++ Projects
    for the Templates select Empty Project (.NET)
    Make sure that you choose appropriate folder and appropriate project name
    You should have a windows like the followings:

   Click OK to close the dialog
    You will have a windows like the followings

4. Creating and saving a C++ source file or a header file
    Click File from the menu in MS visual C++ IDE
    Click New
    Click the File tab
    Select C++ Source File (or C++ Header File)
    Enter the filename (e.g. Employee) in the File name field
    type the following code (as a sample)

 

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
  cout<<"HEY, you, I'm alive! Oh, and Hello World!\n";
  return 0;
}

    save your file in appropriate folder

4. Steps to add existing files to the project
    Click project in the previous windows
    Click add existing items
    select the files you want to add to the project
    clcik OK

5.  Compiling a C++ program
    With the project being open, double click on the main program to open
    click on build and then compile solution
    correct if there is any error

6. Linking a C++ program
    with the project being open, click build solution   

7. Executing your program
    with the project being open click on debug and select "start without debugging"

8. Ending the session
    Click on File from menu
    Click on Close solution
   Click yes on the dialog

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