Aimed at experienced programmers, the book dispenses with traditional instruction in C++ and object-oriented programming, and moves to skills that programmers must master to become productive contributors to mainstream projects. The text begins with a thorough, hands-on introduction to the Visual C++ developer environment and moves quickly to the skills expected of Windows professionals, from building Windows 98 and NT GUI interfaces, to calling Win32 APIs and using MFC, ATL and Windows services. Component-building receives special attention, including ActiveX controls and COM components and their use in building DNA (Distributed interNet Architecture) applications. The fundamentals of Win32 and database programming are also covered, as is the deployment of applications in both client/server and Web environments - plus debugging, installation, localization and other key aspects of Visual C++ application building. The CD contains all source code presented in the book, as well as demo libraries of interface controls, Internet controls and imaging packages from vendors like Stingray Software and Lead Tools, as well as debugging tools from NuMega Technologies.