CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++visual-studiovisual-studio-2010visual-studio-2012
Druid
Druid

Reputation: 133

Is Visual Studio the same thing as Visual C++

This is one of those questions that is utterly obvious to everyone except the uninitiated. So, at the risk of losing my "geek card" I'm afraid I must bite the bullet and ask:

Is Visual Studio the same thing as Visual C++? Do I need to install Visual Studio Express, for example in conjunction wit Visual C++? Does Visual C++ provide certain things that I will need (particular with respect to assembly programming) that don't come with Visual Studio Express?

The question might seem so basic as to not require an answer. But alas, that's precisely why I feel I need to ask it, as I can't actually find any answers online. All the results just "assume" that the user knows the answer to this question, but I can't seem to find anything that explicitly states that the two applications provide precisely the same functionality or not.

Thank you for your time.

Upvotes: 4

Views: 5132

Answers (2)

John Bargman
John Bargman

Reputation: 1262

Visual Studio refers to Microsoft's Integrated Development Envrioment, It includes support for C++, C#, Basic, and several other languages.
Visual-C++ refers to the C++ Specific component of visual-Studio.

One can Install Visual-Studio (Express, or any other version), and install only the C++ component. Thus you would be installing the "Visual-C++" Component of Visual Studio.

Also, take note that Microsoft have been known to take some small liberties with this adherence to the C++ standard. For example depreciating many standard functions in faviour of 'secure' versions. (although this can be disabled). As well as implementing C++17 features.

As such the Visual-C++ language can be considered different enough from C++ to be a superset to some degree. The Visual-C++ command-line compiler (MSVC) is also packaged separately, so one doesn't need the entire visual-studio package to use it. That is no longer the case and are now avalible again

In short - Visual-C++ is part of the greater Visual-studio package, and is included in all modern versions of Visual-Studio.

Upvotes: 6

MikeCAT
MikeCAT

Reputation: 75062

No. Visual Studio includes Visual C++, but it includes many other tools such as Visual Basic or Visual C#.

Upvotes: 2

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