10 MFC Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Unlike most programming books that skim over the specifics, Eugene Kain's deep dive into MFC programming delivers targeted solutions to concrete problems, helping you cut through the complexity of Visual C++ development. He breaks down intricate topics like customizing the document/view architecture, managing dialog boxes, and handling print preview with clear code examples and thorough explanations. You’ll find not just answers but the reasoning behind them, often linking MFC internals with Windows APIs to satisfy both practical needs and curiosity. This approach makes it ideal if you’re a developer seeking to save time on frustrating bugs or expand your understanding beyond surface-level fixes.

When George Shepherd first realized how little was publicly understood about the inner workings of the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) library, he set out to demystify this complex architecture for professional programmers. Drawing from his extensive experience as a Microsoft technologies consultant and contributor to MSDN magazine, Shepherd, alongside co-author Scott Wingo, provides a detailed exploration of MFC's code-level interactions with the Windows operating system. You’ll gain insights into data management, ODBC and OLE interfaces, and the intricate class relationships that power MFC applications. This book suits software developers seeking a deep technical understanding of MFC internals, especially those working to optimize or debug legacy Windows applications.

This personalized book offers a tailored approach to mastering Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) fundamentals by aligning content with your specific experience and objectives. It provides a clear, stepwise exploration of MFC's core concepts, such as document/view architecture, message handling, and UI components, emphasizing practical application within your development context. The book cuts through generic advice by focusing on the precise knowledge and coding patterns relevant to your skill level and project goals. It also introduces debugging techniques and best practices to enhance your proficiency with MFC programming, ensuring a personalized framework that fits your unique learning path and maximizes efficient skill acquisition.

Drawing from over 30 years of programming experience and his role as a college professor, Vic Broquard delivers a focused exploration of MFC beyond beginner topics. You’ll dive into MFC printing techniques, document-view architecture, and database access, along with updates for Visual C++ 5.0. The book breaks down complex controls like enhanced metafiles, trees, and lists, and explains DAO classes with clarity. If you’re aiming to deepen your practical understanding of MFC and want detailed examples (included on the accompanying CD-ROM), this book fits well. However, if you’re new to MFC, you might find some sections dense without prior exposure.

When Julian Templeman first discovered how complex COM programming could be for MFC developers, he set out to clarify the tangled concepts and practical applications involved. This book takes you through building a complete application from scratch, covering OLE servers and components with hands-on projects that deepen your understanding of COM within the MFC framework. You’ll gain concrete skills in integrating COM objects into your applications, an essential capability for Windows programming evolution. If you’re an MFC programmer looking to grasp COM’s role and implement it effectively, this book offers focused instruction without unnecessary jargon or fluff.

When Richard M. Jones first realized the complexities behind mastering MFC programming, he set out to demystify key concepts like the Document/View architecture and advanced object-oriented programming within Visual C++. You’ll find detailed explanations on handling bitmap graphics and integrating database processing, making it clear how these elements come together in real applications. Chapters break down these topics with clarity, suited for those aiming to build solid Windows applications using MFC. This book is best if you're comfortable with C++ basics and want to deepen your understanding of Windows programming frameworks rather than starting from scratch.

This tailored book provides a step-by-step daily action plan designed to accelerate your mastery of Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC). It offers a personalized framework that aligns with your current skill level and specific learning goals, cutting through generic advice to focus on tasks that fit your coding context. Covering foundational concepts to advanced implementation techniques, it emphasizes practical exercises and incremental challenges to build competence efficiently. The tailored approach ensures targeted development of MFC programming skills, UI customization, and integration with Visual C++, streamlining the path from understanding MFC architecture to applying it in real-world projects.

Drawing from Marshall Brain's extensive experience as a communicator and educator, this book immerses you in the practical world of Windows programming with Visual C++ and MFC 2.0. It carefully unpacks the features of Visual C++ and walks you through the classes of the Microsoft Foundation Class Library, enabling you to build professional applications for Windows 95 and NT. Specific chapters delve into window management, message handling, and UI components, giving you concrete tools to master MFC development. If you're aiming to deepen your programming skills in legacy Windows environments or understand MFC's architecture, this book offers detailed guidance without overcomplicating concepts.

What if everything you knew about using the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) library was incomplete? This extensive reference from Microsoft Corporation dives deep into the MFC class library, offering detailed descriptions of classes, member functions, and operators, complete with source code examples. It’s designed to be the definitive guide for programmers working with Visual C++ 5.0, clarifying the structure and usage of MFC components from COleDateTime onward. You’ll gain a solid understanding of how MFC organizes its classes and functions, which is essential for mastering Windows application development using this framework. If you’re looking to deepen your technical command of MFC or resolve specific coding challenges, this volume is a precise tool rather than a casual read.

When Jeff Prosise challenges the conventional wisdom around Windows programming, he digs deep into the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) library to reveal its full potential. This book doesn't just skim the surface; it guides you through fundamental concepts and dives into advanced topics like OLE and ActiveX, giving you concrete insights to enhance your C++ Windows applications. If you're aiming to master Windows UI development or understand MFC's role in COM-based technologies, this book offers detailed explanations and practical examples that cater to both newcomers and seasoned developers. Its thorough approach suits those ready to invest time in understanding MFC's architecture and capabilities.

What if everything you knew about MFC programming was challenged? Mike Blaszczak draws from his extensive experience at Microsoft, where he managed development of the Microsoft Foundation Classes, to offer a deep dive into the Visual C++ 6 environment. You’ll learn detailed implementation techniques for critical components like status bars, multiple document interfaces, and context-sensitive help, moving beyond theory into applied usage. This book is best suited for developers who want to leverage MFC’s vast class library to streamline Windows application development without reinventing basic UI elements. It’s a dense resource, so if you’re new to C++ or prefer light reading, this might feel overwhelming, but for serious Windows programmers, it’s a solid technical reference.

When Herbert Schildt first discovered the potential of MFC, he set out to demystify its complex class hierarchy and empower programmers to build Windows applications efficiently. This book walks you through handling messages, creating menus, and developing dialog boxes with clear, code-driven instruction. You’ll find chapters dedicated to common controls like toolbars and tree views, plus advanced topics such as multithreaded multitasking and context-sensitive help. If you’re aiming to deepen your understanding of Windows programming using MFC and want practical examples from a seasoned author, this book offers a solid foundation without unnecessary fluff.