Need to learn Visual C++ MFC asap.

Question

I guess I'm a very experienced .Net developer for more than 5 years. I also have experiences on java and even written applications with Borland C++ Builder and also done iPhone apps. Now, I am in a situation that I need to rewrite a .net cf app for a wince device which doesn't have .net framework. So, basically, I need to learn Visual C++, but I was also rushed by my clients. Tutorials I found on Internet are either basic tutorials, aka hello worlds or advanced topics like how to make an aqua button etc... Is there any tutorial I can jump start writing Visual C++ apps in a day? Thanks a lot.

Update: Now I see it's impossible to learn it in 24 hour. So, could you guys point me to any resources that I can learn it asap. :)

Answer 1

I'm sorry, really I am. No Way in a day. Confess or otherwise your life is going to be a living hell. A Living-Hell.

Answer 2

Did the words "Yes, I know MFC, I can do it in a day" came out of your mouth at any moment ? If no, just ask for more time, and make your client(s) understand the problem. Quality issues, bug tracking, time to get familiar with the technology, etc. Suppose you drove cars for a living, and then someone exepcted you to operate perfectly on a 17th century vehicle in one day. Just not reallistic.

Otherwise, like @JustBoo states "confess, or otherwise your life is going to be a living hell"

Answer 3

I'd say the basic tutorials probably cover most of what can reasonably be learned in a day through a tutorial. You could probably use a book, but MFC books are not readily available in bookstores now (I bought a couple used on the net), so you probably can't get one today. There are no good ones on Safari. No book can do what you want, but it would be better than tutorials.

Moreover, I don't know if WinCE supports what regular Windows does, and all the tutorials and books you're likely to find are on regular Windows. You're not going to learn any differences fast.

I think you've way overcommitted yourself. Never let a client pressure you into overpromising that much.

Answer 4

MFC is basically deprecated so you could pick up any number of second hand books on the subject and they would be as relevant now as they were when written 5+ years ago.

MFC isn't the only UI framework for Windows CE. You can also licence QT and probably it would be a far more pleasant experience too. There is also a port of wxWidgets too but its unlikely to be as well supported.

Answer 5

A possible solution for you may be Pair Programming: Hire an experienced MFC programmer, and sit together with him at the computer. He must do the typing and you are the application expert, who says what the application logic has to be. After a few hours you'll know enough of MFC that you can switch when the MFC expert needs to look things up in handbooks, or when he is exhausted. (Really use three computers, so each of you can research something.)

I did Pair Programming once to write a scientific simulation. I was the programming expert, and the other guy was the science expert. It was an incredible boost in productivity.

It took me one week to learn the basics of MFC, as a medium experienced QT programmer. I had some book from Microsoft, but I don't remember which.