Why public ref in c++ class definition

Question

Hi,

First of all I want to make clear that 'm all new to C++, so this might be a simple and somewhat obvious question. In the C++ book I'm reading called C++ Primer, a class is defined by writing:

class classname{
public:

private:

};

However, in VS2008 the compiler didnt like this. But by adding public ref before class, as in:

public ref class classname{

it went through in the compiler. Can anyone please explain what the difference is between defining only with class and with public ref class? I would really appreciate it.

Answer 1

The ref syntax is a Microsoft extension used only in Managed C++. By the sounds of things you have flicked the /clr compiler switch on by mistake when creating your project. If all you want to do is to create real C++ programs, then you will want to revert that.

Answer 2

You're reading a book call C++ Primer which teaches the C++ programming language, whereas you're attempting to create a program telling VC++ the code is in C++/CLI, a different programming language....

Answer 3

Are you learning the standard C/C++ language? if the answer is yes then that syntax is concerning the Microsoft C++/CLI language...

look at : C++/CLI

Try to use Eclipse with C++ extension instead. It cames with all you need to create and execute a STANDARD C++ program!

Eclipse download

Answer 4

You (edit: and other users) tagged this question with:

• Two programming languages: C++ and C++/CLI,
• One commercial Integrated Development Environment (IDE) by Microsoft: Visual C++, which lets you program in three different languages (C, C++ and C++/CLI). In the post you mention Microsoft Visual Studio 2008, which is a superset of Visual C++.
• One set of language extensions: Managed C++, which has historically refered to quite a few different things and, frankly, I'm not sure what it means now :)

However, your first goal should be to learn how to configure Visual C++ to program in the language of your choice, C++.

As usual, a good way to find an answer to this question is to type it in the "Ask Question" page and see which related questions are suggested. This is the best one, I think: compiling "standard" C++ in visual studio (non .net).