In WinRT is C++ really C++ or just some phony thing that looks like C++?

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Let’s face it, C++ is getting a little boring as is.  But to deviate from the C++ spec is evil.  What to do?  Well if the language compiles like C++ specified language is that enough? Here is the explanation from the Dev Center site:

Visual C++ in Visual Studio 11 for Windows 8 Consumer Preview has a revolutionary new native C++ programming model for creating Metro style apps and components. In the new model, native C++ can interop directly with JavaScript and managed code without the need for intermediate software layers.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/hh699871

What does this mean to me? (Or you.)  Well I better get back up to speed with using C++, C++ in Visual Studio 11 appears to have taken on a new attitude: I need a presentation layer solution or lose traction to the real world.

In only a few steps you can create your first C++ app that connects to the XAML presentation layer.  Likely if you work at it a little you could use HTML5.

See: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/hh465045 

Or you could see my blog for tomorrow for a super simple Hello World using the XAML/C++:

https://blogs.msdn.com/b/devschool/archive/2012/03/19/yippee-just-wrote-my-hello-world-xaml-c-app-now-i-am-an-expert-at-winrt.aspx (after 3/18/2012)

 

 

This is great stuff, being able to use C++ with a real interface.  Not that I think it is efficient, or cost effective for most applications, there are still a great number of development houses that are efficient at building C++ apps.