Book excerpt: This book lets you master C++ 2008 as quickly and easily as possible by using all the time- and work-saving features of Visual Studio 2008. That's true whether you are a Java developer who wants to learn C++, a C# or Visual Basic developer who wants to master another .NET language, a C++ developer who wants to move into .NET, or a programming novice who's starting from scratch. When you are done, you will know how to use C++ 2008 to create bullet-proof applications like the best professionals do. You will know how to develop object-oriented applications using business classes, inheritance, polymorphism, interfaces, and generics the way they are used in the real world. You will know how to compile, run, and enhance legacy C and native C++ code on the .NET platform. You will be prepared to learn more about native C++ if you should ever need to do that. And you will have another set of skills that will make you more valuable on the job. To ensure mastery, this book presents 12 complete, real-world applications that demonstrate best programming practices. And all of the information is presented in the distinctive Murach 'paired-pages' style that allows for self-paced training and reference.