New SIG Formed
The MFC SIG is a new SIG that focuses on the use of Microsoft Foundation Classes and Microsoft Visual C++. The idea behind the group is to provide support to professional programmers and provide a forum to learn more about one of the best program development environments ever created. We will learn about new tools and libraries that can help in programming.
The intention when the group was formed was that that the SIG would be a virtual SIG and would meet only on the Internet. Very little of interest has occurred, so we are going to try a real meeting. The group will be meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month to see if we can get critical mass to move to the Internet. The meeting place will be at 1545 River Park Drive, Suite 513 until we outgrow it. Send SIG leader Ken Hopkins e-mail if you wish to attend.
C Sharp
One of the topics to be discussed is the new language that Microsoft has announced. This new language is C#, which is defined as follows: "C# is a simple, modern, object-oriented, and type-safe programming language derived from C and C++. C# (pronounced "C sharp") is firmly planted in the C and C++ family tree of languages, and will immediately be familiar to C and C++ programmers. C# aims to combine the high productivity of Visual Basic and the raw power of C++."
C# is being promoted as a development language to fit in the same niche as Java. It should be usable on applets as well as full-blown applications.
Microsoft is creating the initial implementations (instead of Sun). Microsoft is promising multiple platform support and the possibility for other vendors to develop their own implementations. The product will be released as part of Visual Studio.Net (the 7.0 release of Visual Studio) due out next year. People who attended the PDC got a beta copy of the product so it is probably possible to get a beta copy to evaluate.
The specifications show that there will be initial problems due to punctuation differences, but we have all been through that before. The specifications look very promising for the new language. Get your PDF copy of the C# specifications.
Once we get a copy of C# to review, we will publish a review discussing its benefits and drawbacks. None of us want to wait until next year to start developing in what may be the next big language.
If you have opinions about C# or questions about the MFC SIG, send email.
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Ken Hopkins
