Microsoft Foundation Classes

About the Tutorial

The Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) library provides a set of functions, constants, data
types, and classes to simplify creating applications for the Microsoft Windows operating
systems. In this tutorial, you will learn all about how to start and create Windows-based
applications using MFC.

Audience
This tutorial is designed for all those developers who are keen on developing best-in-class
applications using MFC. The tutorial provides a hands-on approach with step-by-step
program examples, source codes, and illustrations that will assist the developers to learn
and put the acquired knowledge into practice.

Prerequisites
To gain advantage of this tutorial you need to be familiar with programming for Windows.
You also need to know the basics of programming in C++ and understand the
fundamentals of object-oriented programming.

Disclaimer & Copyright

 Copyright 2016 by Tutorials Point (I) Pvt. Ltd.

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Pvt. Ltd. The user of this e-book is prohibited to reuse, retain, copy, distribute or republish
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of the publisher.

We strive to update the contents of our website and tutorials as timely and as precisely as
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Ltd. provides no guarantee regarding the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of our
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in this tutorial, please notify us at contact@tutorialspoint.com.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Table of Contents
About the Tutorial ............................................................................................................................................ i

Audience........................................................................................................................................................... i

Prerequisites..................................................................................................................................................... i

Disclaimer & Copyright ..................................................................................................................................... i

Table of Contents............................................................................................................................................. ii

1. MFC - OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................. 1

Prerequisites.................................................................................................................................................... 1

What is MFC? ................................................................................................................................................... 1

MFC Framework .............................................................................................................................................. 1

Why MFC? ....................................................................................................................................................... 2

2. MFC - ENVIRONMENT SETUP ............................................................................................... 3

3. MFC - VC++ PROJECTS .......................................................................................................... 8

4. MFC - GETTING STARTED ..................................................................................................... 9

Create Project Using Project Templates ........................................................................................................... 9

Create Project from Scratch ........................................................................................................................... 14

5. MFC - WINDOWS FUNDAMENTALS .................................................................................... 19

Window Creation ........................................................................................................................................... 24

Main Window ................................................................................................................................................ 25

Windows Styles ............................................................................................................................................. 27

Windows Location ......................................................................................................................................... 29

Windows Size ................................................................................................................................................ 30

Windows Dimensions .................................................................................................................................... 31

Windows Parents ........................................................................................................................................... 32

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

6. MFC - DIALOG BOXES ......................................................................................................... 34

Dialog Box Creation ....................................................................................................................................... 40

Dialog Location .............................................................................................................................................. 43

Dialog Box Dimensions .................................................................................................................................. 45

Dialog Box Methods....................................................................................................................................... 45

Modal Dialog Boxes ....................................................................................................................................... 46

Dialog-Based Applications ............................................................................................................................. 49

7. MFC - WINDOWS RESOURCES ............................................................................................ 58

Identifiers ...................................................................................................................................................... 59

Icons .............................................................................................................................................................. 60

Menus ........................................................................................................................................................... 63

Toolbars......................................................................................................................................................... 68

Accelerators................................................................................................................................................... 75

8. MFC - PROPERTY SHEETS.................................................................................................... 86

9. MFC - WINDOWS LAYOUT .................................................................................................. 97

Adding controls ............................................................................................................................................. 97

Control Grid ................................................................................................................................................... 99

Controls Resizing ......................................................................................................................................... 100

Controls Positions ........................................................................................................................................ 101

Tab Ordering ................................................................................................................................................ 107

10. MFC - CONTROLS MANAGEMENT ................................................................................. 111

Control Variable/Instance ............................................................................................................................ 111

Control Value Variable ................................................................................................................................. 116

Controls Event Handlers .............................................................................................................................. 118

Controls Management ................................................................................................................................. 121

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

11. MFC - WINDOWS CONTROLS ........................................................................................ 128

Static Control ............................................................................................................................................... 128

Animation Control ....................................................................................................................................... 128

Button ......................................................................................................................................................... 134

Bitmap Button ............................................................................................................................................. 137

Command Button ........................................................................................................................................ 139

Static Text .................................................................................................................................................... 142

List Box ........................................................................................................................................................ 144

Combo Boxes ............................................................................................................................................... 153

Radio Buttons .............................................................................................................................................. 159

Checkboxes .................................................................................................................................................. 164

Image Lists ................................................................................................................................................... 178

Edit Box ....................................................................................................................................................... 182

Rich Edit ....................................................................................................................................................... 187

Group Box.................................................................................................................................................... 198

Spin Button .................................................................................................................................................. 199

Managing the Updown Control .................................................................................................................... 201

Progress Control .......................................................................................................................................... 206

Progress Bars ............................................................................................................................................... 210

Timer ........................................................................................................................................................... 213

Date & Time Picker ...................................................................................................................................... 217

Picture ......................................................................................................................................................... 222

Image Editor ................................................................................................................................................ 225

Slider Controls ............................................................................................................................................. 228

Scrollbars ..................................................................................................................................................... 235

Tree Control................................................................................................................................................. 237

List Control .................................................................................................................................................. 245

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12. MFC - MESSAGES AND EVENTS ..................................................................................... 254

Overview ..................................................................................................................................................... 254

Map of Messages ......................................................................................................................................... 254

Windows Messages ..................................................................................................................................... 258

Command Messages .................................................................................................................................... 264

Keyboard Messages ..................................................................................................................................... 264

Mouse Messages ......................................................................................................................................... 267

13. MFC - ACTIVEX CONTROL .............................................................................................. 270

14. MFC - FILE SYSTEM....................................................................................................... 276

Drives .......................................................................................................................................................... 276

Directories ................................................................................................................................................... 280

File Processing ............................................................................................................................................. 284

15. MFC - STANDARD I/O .................................................................................................... 288

16. MFC - DOCUMENT VIEW ............................................................................................... 294

View ............................................................................................................................................................ 294

Document .................................................................................................................................................... 294

Frame .......................................................................................................................................................... 294

Single Document Interface (SDI) .................................................................................................................. 294

Multiple Document Interface (MDI) ............................................................................................................. 296

17. MFC - STRINGS ............................................................................................................. 300

Create String ................................................................................................................................................ 302

Empty String ................................................................................................................................................ 303

String Concatenation ................................................................................................................................... 305

String Length................................................................................................................................................ 306

String Comparison ....................................................................................................................................... 308

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18. MFC - CARRAY ............................................................................................................... 310

Create CArray Object ................................................................................................................................... 311

Add items .................................................................................................................................................... 311

Retrieve Items ............................................................................................................................................. 311

Add Items in the Middle .............................................................................................................................. 313

Update Item Value ....................................................................................................................................... 315

Copy Array ................................................................................................................................................... 317

Remove Items .............................................................................................................................................. 319

19. MFC - LINKED LISTS ....................................................................................................... 322

Singly Linked List.......................................................................................................................................... 322

Doubly Linked List ........................................................................................................................................ 322

CList Class .................................................................................................................................................... 323

Create CList Object ...................................................................................................................................... 324

Add items .................................................................................................................................................... 324

Retrieve Items ............................................................................................................................................. 324

Add Items in the Middle .............................................................................................................................. 326

Update Item Value ....................................................................................................................................... 328

Remove Items .............................................................................................................................................. 330

20. MFC - DATABASE CLASSES............................................................................................. 333

CDatabase ................................................................................................................................................... 333

Insert Query................................................................................................................................................. 335

Retrieve Record ........................................................................................................................................... 337

Update Record ............................................................................................................................................. 342

Delete Record .............................................................................................................................................. 346

21. MFC - SERIALIZATION ................................................................................................... 351

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22. MFC - MULTITHREADING .............................................................................................. 358

23. MFC - INTERNET PROGRAMMING ................................................................................. 367

24. MFC - GDI..................................................................................................................... 381

Drawing ....................................................................................................................................................... 381

Lines ............................................................................................................................................................ 387

Polylines ...................................................................................................................................................... 390

Rectangles ................................................................................................................................................... 391

Squares ........................................................................................................................................................ 393

Pies .............................................................................................................................................................. 394

Arcs.............................................................................................................................................................. 396

Chords ......................................................................................................................................................... 398

Colors .......................................................................................................................................................... 399

Fonts............................................................................................................................................................ 401

Pens ............................................................................................................................................................. 403

Brushes ........................................................................................................................................................ 404

25. MFC - LIBRARIES............................................................................................................ 407

Static Library ................................................................................................................................................ 407

Dynamic Library ........................................................................................................................................... 421

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 1. MFC - Overview

The Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) library provides a set of functions, constants, data
types, and classes to simplify creating applications for the Microsoft Windows operating
systems. In this tutorial, you will learn all about how to start and create windows based
applications using MFC.

Prerequisites
We have assumed that you know the following:

 A little about programming for Windows.

 The basics of programming in C++.
 Understand the fundamentals of object-oriented programming.

What is MFC?
The Microsoft Foundation Class Library (MFC) is an "application framework" for
programming in Microsoft Windows. MFC provides much of the code, which are required
for the following:

 Managing Windows.
 Menus and dialog boxes.
 Performing basic input/output.
 Storing collections of data objects, etc.

You can easily extend or override the basic functionality the MFC framework in you C++
applications by adding your application-specific code into MFC framework.

MFC Framework
 The MFC framework provides a set of reusable classes designed to simplify
Windows programming.

 MFC provides classes for many basic objects, such as strings, files, and collections
that are used in everyday programming.

 It also provides classes for common Windows APIs and data structures, such as
windows, controls, and device contexts.

 The framework also provides a solid foundation for more advanced features, such
as ActiveX and document view processing.

 In addition, MFC provides an application framework, including the classes that

make up the application architecture hierarchy.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Why MFC?
The MFC framework is a powerful approach that lets you build upon the work of expert
programmers for Windows. MFC framework has the following advantages.

 It shortens development time.

 It makes code more portable.

 It also provides tremendous support without reducing programming freedom and

flexibility.

 It gives easy access to "hard to program" user-interface elements and

technologies.

 MFC simplifies database programming through Data Access Objects (DAO) and
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), and network programming through
Windows Sockets.

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 2. MFC - Environment Setup Microsoft Foundation Classes

Microsoft Visual C++ is a programming environment used to create applications for the
Microsoft Windows operating systems. To use MFC framework in your C++ application,
you must have installed either Microsoft Visual C++ or Microsoft Visual Studio. Microsoft
Visual Studio also contains the Microsoft Visual C++ environment.

Microsoft provides a free version of visual studio which also contains SQL Server and it
can be downloaded from https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/downloads/download-
visual-studio-vs.aspx.

Following are the installation steps.

Step 1: Once Visual Studio is downloaded, run the installer. The following dialog box will
be displayed.

Step 2: Click Install to start the installation process.

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Microsoft Foundation Classes

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 3: Once Visual Studio is installed successfully, you will see the following dialog box.

Step 4: Close this dialog box and restart your computer if required.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 5: Open Visual studio from the Start menu, which will open the following dialog box.
It will take some time for preparation, while starting for the first time.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 6: Next, you will see the main window of Visual Studio.

Step 7: You are now ready to start your application.

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 3. MFC - VC++ Projects Microsoft Foundation Classes

In this chapter, we will be covering the different types of VC++ projects. Visual Studio
includes several kinds of Visual C++ project templates. These templates help to create
the basic program structure, menus, toolbars, icons, references, and include statements
that are appropriate for the kind of project you want to create. Following are some of the
salient features of the templates.

 It provides wizards for many of these project templates and helps you customize
your projects as you create them.

 Once the project is created, you can build and run the application.

 You don't have to use a template to create a project, but in most cases it's more
efficient to use project templates.

 It's easier to modify the provided project files and structure than it is to create
them from scratch.

In MFC, you can use the following project templates.

Project Template Description

An MFC application is an executable application for Windows that
is based on the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) Library. The
MFC Application
easiest way to create an MFC application is to use the MFC
Application Wizard.
ActiveX control programs are modular programs designed to give
MFC ActiveX a specific type of functionality to a parent application. For
Control example, you can create a control such as a button for use in a
dialog, or toolbar or on a Web page.
An MFC DLL is a binary file that acts as a shared library of functions
that can be used simultaneously by multiple applications. The
MFC DLL
easiest way to create an MFC DLL project is to use the MFC DLL
Wizard.

Following are some General templates which can also be used to create MFC application:

Project Template Description

Projects are the logical containers for everything that's needed to
Empty Project build your application. You can then add more new or existing
projects to the solution if necessary.
The Visual C++ Custom Wizard is the tool to use when you need
Custom Wizard to create a new custom wizard. The easiest way to create a custom
wizard is to use the Custom Wizard.

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 4. MFC - Getting Started Microsoft Foundation Classes

In this chapter, we will look at a working MFC example. To create an MFC application, you
can use wizards to customize your projects. You can also create an application from
scratch.

Create Project Using Project Templates

Following are the steps to create a project using project templates available in Visual
Studio.

Step 1: Open the Visual studio and click on the File -> New -> Project menu option.

Step 2: You can now see that the New Project dialog box is open.

Step 3: From the left pane, select Templates -> Visual C++ -> MFC
Step 4: In the middle pane, select MFC Application.
Step 5: Enter the project name ‘MFCDemo’ in the Name field and click OK to continue.
You will see the following dialog.

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Step 6: Click Next.

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Step 7: Select the options which are shown in the dialog box given above and click Next.

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Step 8: Uncheck all options and click Finish button.

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You can now see that the MFC wizard creates this Dialog Box and the project files by
default.

Step 9: Run this application, you will see the following output.

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Create Project from Scratch

You can also create an MFC application from scratch. To create an MFC application, you
need to follow the following Steps.

Step 1: Open the Visual studio and click on the File - > New - > Project menu option.

Step 2: You can now see the New Project dialog box.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 3: From the left pane, select Templates -> Visual C++ -> General.

Step 4: In the middle pane, select Empty.

Step 5: Enter project name ‘MFCDemoFromScratch’ in the Name field and click OK to
continue. You will see that an empty project is created.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 6: To make it an MFC project, right-click on the project and select Properties.

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Step 7: In the left section, click Configuration Properties -> General.

Step 8: Select the Use MFC in Shared DLL option in Project Defaults section and click OK.

Step 9: As it is an empty project now; we need to add a C++ file. So, right-click on the
project and select Add -> New Item…

Step 10: Select C++ File (.cpp) in the middle pane and enter file name in the Name field
and click Add button.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 11: You can now see the main.cpp file added under the Source Files folder.
Step 12: Let us add the following code in this file.

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

void main()
{
cout << "***************************************\n";
cout << "MFC Application Tutorial";
cout << "\n***************************************";
getchar();
}

Step 13: When you run this application, you will see the following output on console.

***************************************
MFC Application Tutorial
***************************************

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 5. MFC - Windows Fundamentals Microsoft Foundation Classes

In this chapter, we will be covering the fundamentals of Windows. To create a program,

also called an application, you derive a class from the MFC's CWinApp. CWinApp stands
for Class for a Windows Application.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new Win32 project

Step 1: Open the Visual studio and click on the File -> New -> Project menu option.

Step 2: You can now see the New Project dialog box.

Step 3: From the left pane, select Templates -> Visual C++ -> Win32.

Step 4: In the middle pane, select Win32 Project.

Step 5: Enter the project name ‘MFCWindowDemo’ in the Name field and click OK to
continue. You will see the following dialog box.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 6: Click Next.

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Step 7: Select the options as shown in the dialog box given above and click Finish.

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Step 8: An empty project is created.

Step 9: To make it an MFC project, right-click on the project and select Properties.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 10: In the left section, click Configuration Properties -> General.

Step 11: Select the Use MFC in Shared DLL option in Project Defaults section and click
OK.

Step 12: Add a new source file.

Step 13: Right-click on your Project and select Add -> New Item...

Step 14: In the Templates section, click C++ File (.cpp)

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 15: Set the Name as Example and click Add.

Window Creation
Any application has two main sections:

 Class
 Frame or Window

Let us create a window using the following steps:

Step 1: To create an application, we need to derive a class from the MFC's CWinApp.

class CExample : public CWinApp

{
BOOL InitInstance()
{
return TRUE;
}
};

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Step 2: We also need a frame/window to show the content of our application.

Step 3: For this, we need to add another class and derive it from the MFC's CFrameWnd
class and implement its constructor and a call the Create() method, which will create a
frame/window as shown in the following code.

class CMyFrame : public CFrameWnd

{
public:
CMyFrame()
{
Create(NULL, _T("MFC Application Tutorial"));
}
};

Step 4: As you can see that Create() method needs two parameters, the name of the
class, which should be passed as NULL, and the name of the window, which is the string
that will be shown on the title bar.

Main Window
After creating a window, to let the application use it, you can use a pointer to show the
class used to create the window. In this case, the pointer would be CFrameWnd. To use
the frame window, assign its pointer to the CWinThread::m_pMainWnd member variable.
This is done in the InitInstance() implementation of your application.

Step 1: Here is the implementation of InitInstance() in CExample class.

class CExample : public CWinApp

{
BOOL InitInstance()
{
CMyFrame *Frame = new CMyFrame();
m_pMainWnd = Frame;

Frame->ShowWindow(SW_NORMAL);
Frame->UpdateWindow();

return TRUE;
}
};

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Step 2: Following is the complete implementation of Example.cpp file.

#include <afxwin.h>

class CMyFrame : public CFrameWnd

{
public:
CMyFrame()
{
Create(NULL, _T("MFC Application Tutorial"));
}
};

class CExample : public CWinApp

{
BOOL InitInstance()
{
CMyFrame *Frame = new CMyFrame();
m_pMainWnd = Frame;

Frame->ShowWindow(SW_NORMAL);
Frame->UpdateWindow();

return TRUE;
}
};

CExample theApp;

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Step 3: When we run the above application, the following window is created.

Windows Styles
Windows styles are characteristics that control features such as window appearance,
borders, minimized or maximized state, or other resizing states, etc. Following is a list of
styles which you can use while creating a Window.

Style Description
WS_BORDER Creates a window that has a border.
Creates a window that has a title bar (implies the WS_BORDER
WS_CAPTION
style). Cannot be used with the WS_DLGFRAME style.
Creates a child window. Cannot be used with the WS_POPUP
WS_CHILD
style.
WS_CHILDWINDO
Same as the WS_CHILD style.
W
Excludes the area occupied by child windows when you draw
WS_CLIPCHILDREN within the parent window. Used when you create the parent
window.
Clips child windows relative to each other; that is, when a
particular child window receives a paint message, the
WS_CLIPSIBLINGS style clips all other overlapped child
windows out of the region of the child window to be updated.
WS_CLIPSIBLINGS
(If WS_CLIPSIBLINGS is not given and child windows overlap,
when you draw within the client area of a child window, it is
possible to draw within the client area of a neighboring child
window.) For use with the WS_CHILD style only.
WS_DISABLED Creates a window that is initially disabled.
WS_DLGFRAME Creates a window with a double border but no title.
Specifies the first control of a group of controls in which the
WS_GROUP user can move from one control to the next with the arrow
keys. All controls defined with the WS_GROUP style FALSE after

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

the first control belong to the same group. The next control
with the WS_GROUP style starts the next group (that is, one
group ends where the next begins).
WS_HSCROLL Creates a window that has a horizontal scroll bar.
Creates a window that is initially minimized. Same as the
WS_ICONIC
WS_MINIMIZE style.
WS_MAXIMIZE Creates a window of maximum size.
WS_MAXIMIZEBOX Creates a window that has a Maximize button.
Creates a window that is initially minimized. For use with the
WS_MINIMIZE
WS_OVERLAPPED style only.
WS_MINIMIZEBOX Creates a window that has a Minimize button.
Creates an overlapped window. An overlapped window usually
WS_OVERLAPPED
has a caption and a border.
Creates an overlapped window with the WS_OVERLAPPED,
WS_OVERLAPPED
WS_CAPTION, WS_SYSMENU, WS_THICKFRAME,
WINDOW
WS_MINIMIZEBOX, and WS_MAXIMIZEBOX styles.
Creates a pop-up window. Cannot be used with the WS_CHILD
WS_POPUP
style.
Creates a pop-up window with the WS_BORDER, WS_POPUP,
and WS_SYSMENU styles. The WS_CAPTION style must be
WS_POPUPWINDO
combined with the WS_POPUPWINDOW style to make the
W
Control menu visible.
Creates a window that has a sizing border. Same as the
WS_SIZEBOX
WS_THICKFRAME style.
Creates a window that has a Control-menu box in its title bar.
WS_SYSMENU
Used only for windows with title bars.
Specifies one of any number of controls through which the user
WS_TABSTOP can move by using the TAB key. The TAB key moves the user
to the next control specified by the WS_TABSTOP style.
Creates a window with a thick frame that can be used to size
WS_THICKFRAME
the window.
Creates an overlapped window. An overlapped window has a
WS_TILED
title bar and a border. Same as the WS_OVERLAPPED style.
Creates an overlapped window with the WS_OVERLAPPED,
WS_CAPTION, WS_SYSMENU, WS_THICKFRAME,
WS_TILEDWINDOW WS_MINIMIZEBOX, and WS_MAXIMIZEBOX styles. Same as
the WS_OVERLAPPEDWINDOW style.
WS_VISIBLE Creates a window that is initially visible.
WS_VSCROLL Creates a window that has a vertical scroll bar.

Step 1: Let us look into a simple example in which we will add some styling. After creating
a window, to display it to the user, we can apply the WS_VISIBLE style to it and
additionally, we will also add WS_OVERLAPPED style. Here is an implementation:

class CMyFrame : public CFrameWnd

{
public:
CMyFrame()
{

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Create(NULL, _T("MFC Application Tutorial"), WS_VISIBLE |

WS_OVERLAPPED);
}
};

Step 2: When you run this application, the following window is created.

You can now see that the minimize, maximize, and close options do not appear anymore.

Windows Location
To locate things displayed on the monitor, the computer uses a coordinate system similar
to the Cartesian's, but the origin is located on the top left corner of the screen. Using this
coordinate system, any point can be located by its distance from the top left corner of the
screen of the horizontal and the vertical axes.

The Win32 library provides a structure called POINT defined as follows:

typedef struct tagPOINT {

LONG x;
LONG y;
} POINT;

 The ‘x’ member variable is the distance from the left border of the screen to the
point.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

 The ‘y’ variable represents the distance from the top border of the screen to the
point.

 Besides the Win32's POINT structure, the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC)
library provides the CPoint class.

 This provides the same functionality as the POINT structure. As a C++ class, it
adds more functionality needed to locate a point. It provides two constructors.

CPoint();
CPoint(int X, int Y);

Windows Size
While a point is used to locate an object on the screen, each window has a size. The size
provides two measures related to an object.

 The width of an object.

 The height of an object.

The Win32 library uses the SIZE structure defined as follows:

typedef struct tagSIZE {

int cx;
int cy;
} SIZE;

Besides the Win32's SIZE structure, the MFC provides the CSize class. This class has the
same functionality as SIZE but adds features of a C++ class. It provides five constructors
that allow you to create a size variable in any way of your choice.

CSize();
CSize(int initCX, int initCY);
CSize(SIZE initSize);
CSize(POINT initPt);
CSize(DWORD dwSize);

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Windows Dimensions
When a Window displays, it can be identified on the screen by its location with regards to
the borders of the monitor. A Window can also be identified by its width and height. These
characteristics are specified or controlled by the rect argument of the Create() method.
This argument is a rectangle that can be created through the Win32 RECT structure.

typedef struct _RECT {

LONG left;
LONG top;
LONG right;
LONG bottom;
} RECT, *PRECT;

Besides the Win32's RECT structure, the MFC provides the CRect class which has the
following constructors:

CRect();
CRect(int l, int t, int r, int b);
CRect(const RECT& srcRect);
CRect(LPCRECT lpSrcRect);
CRect(POINT point, SIZE size);
CRect(POINT topLeft, POINT bottomRight);

Let us look into a simple example in which we will specify the location and the size of the
window

class CMyFrame : public CFrameWnd

{
public:
CMyFrame()
{
Create(NULL, _T("MFC Application Tutorial"), WS_SYSMENU, CRect(90,
120, 550, 480));
}
};

When you run this application, the following window is created on the top left corner of
your screen as specified in CRect constructor in the first two parameters. The last two
parameters are the size of the Window.

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Windows Parents
In the real world, many applications are made of different Windows. When an application
uses various Windows, most of the objects depend on a particular one. It could be the first
Window that was created or another window that you designated. Such a Window is
referred to as the Parent Window. All the other windows depend on it directly or
indirectly.

 If the Window you are creating is dependent of another, you can specify that it
has a parent.

 This is done with the pParentWnd argument of the CFrameWnd::Create()

method.

 If the Window does not have a parent, pass the argument with a NULL value.

Let us look into an example which has only one Window, and there is no parent Window
available, so we will pass the argument with NULL value as shown in the following code:

class CMyFrame : public CFrameWnd

{
public:
CMyFrame()
{
Create(NULL, _T("MFC Application Tutorial"), WS_SYSMENU, CRect(90,
120, 550, 480), NULL);
}
};

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When you run the above application, you see the same output.

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 6. MFC - Dialog Boxes Microsoft Foundation Classes

In this chapter, we will be covering the Dialog boxes. Applications for Windows frequently
communicate with the user through dialog boxes. CDialog class provides an interface for
managing dialog boxes. The Visual C++ dialog editor makes it easy to design dialog boxes
and create their dialog-template resources.

 Creating a dialog object is a two-phase operation:

o Construct the dialog object.
o Create the dialog window.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new Win32 project

Step 1: Open the Visual studio and click on the File -> New -> Project menu option.

Step 2: You can now see the New Project dialog box.

Step 3: From the left pane, select Templates -> Visual C++ -> Win32.

Step 4: In the middle pane, select Win32 Project.

Step 5: Enter project name ‘MFCDialogDemo’ in the Name field and click OK to continue.
You will see the following dialog.

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Step 6: Click Next.

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Step 7: Select the options shown in the dialog box given above and click Finish.

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Step 8: An empty project is created.

Step 9: To make it a MFC project, right-click on the project and select Properties.

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Step 10: In the left section, click Configuration Properties -> General.

Step 11: Select the Use MFC in Shared DLL option in Project Defaults section and click
OK.

Step 12: Add a new source file.

Step 13: Right-click on your Project and select Add -> New Item.

Step 14: In the Templates section, click C++ File (.cpp)

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Step 15: Set the Name as Example and click Add.

Step 16: To create an application, we need to add a class and derive it from the MFC's
CWinApp.

#include <afxwin.h>

class CExample : public CWinApp

{
public:
BOOL InitInstance();
};

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Dialog Box Creation

Step 1: To create a dialog box, right-click on the Resource Files folder in solution explorer
and select Add -> Resource.

Step 2: In the Add Resource dialog box, select Dialog and click New.

Step 3: A dialog box requires some preparation before actually programmatically

creating it.

Step 4: A dialog box can first be manually created as a text file (in a resource file).

Step 5: You can now see the MFCDialogDemo.rc file created under Resource Files.

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Step 6: The resource file is open in designer. The same can be opened as a text file. Right-
click on the resource file and select Open With.

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Step 7: Select the Source Code (Text) editor and click Add button.

Step 8: Go back to the designer and right-click on the dialog and select Properties.

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Step 9: You need to choose out of the many options.

Step 10: Like most other controls, a dialog box must be identified. The identifier (ID) of
a dialog box usually starts with IDD_, Let us change the ID to IDD_EXAMPLE_DLG.

Dialog Location
A dialog box must be “physically” located on an application. Because a dialog box is usually
created as a parent to other controls, its location depends on its relationship to its parent
window or to the desktop.

If you look and the Properties window, you see two fields, X Pos and Y Pos.

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 X is the distance from the left border of the monitor to the left border of the
dialog box.

 Y is the distance from the top border of the monitor to the top border of the
dialog box.

By default, these fields are set to zero. You can also change as shown above.

If you specify these two dimensions as 0, the left and top borders of the dialog box would
be set so the object appears in the center-middle of the screen.

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Dialog Box Dimensions

The dimensions of a dialog box refer to its width and its height. You can resize the width
and height with the help of mouse in designer window.

You can see the changes in width and height on the Status Bar.

Dialog Box Methods

The base class used for displaying dialog boxes on the screen is CDialog class. To create
a dialog box, we need to derive a class from CDialog. The CDialog class itself provides
three constructors which are as follows:

CDialog();
CDialog(UINT nIDTemplate, CWnd* pParentWnd = NULL);
CDialog(LPCTSTR lpszTemplateName, CWnd* pParentWnd = NULL);

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Let us create another class CExampleDlg and derive it from CDialog. We will implement
its default constructor destructor as shown in the following code.

class CExampleDlg : public CDialog

{
public:
enum { IDD = IDD_EXAMPLE_DLG };

CExampleDlg();
~CExampleDlg();
};

CExampleDlg::CExampleDlg():CDialog(CExampleDlg::IDD)
{
}

CExampleDlg::~CExampleDlg()
{
}

We need to instantiate this dialog on CExample::InitInstance() method as shown in the

following code.

BOOL CExample::InitInstance()
{
CExampleDlg myDlg;
m_pMainWnd = &myDlg;

return TRUE;
}

Modal Dialog Boxes

There are two types of dialog boxes — modeless and modal. Modal and modeless dialog
boxes differ by the process used to create and display them.

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Modeless Dialog Box

 For a modeless dialog box, you must provide your own public constructor in your
dialog class.

 To create a modeless dialog box, call your public constructor and then call the
dialog object's Create member function to load the dialog resource.

 You can call Create either during or after the constructor call. If the dialog resource
has the property WS_VISIBLE, the dialog box appears immediately.

 If not, you must call its ShowWindow member function.

Modal Dialog
 To create a modal dialog box, call either of the two public constructors declared in
CDialog.

 Next, call the dialog object's DoModal member function to display the dialog box
and manage interaction with it until the user chooses OK or Cancel.

 This management by DoModal is what makes the dialog box modal. For modal
dialog boxes, DoModal loads the dialog resource.

Step 1: To display the dialog box as modal, in the CExample::InitInstance() event call the
DoModal() method using your dialog variable:

BOOL CExample::InitInstance()
{
CExampleDlg myDlg;
m_pMainWnd = &myDlg;
myDlg.DoModal();
return TRUE;
}

Step 2: Here is the complete implementation of Example.cpp file.

#include <afxwin.h>
#include "resource.h"

class CExample : public CWinApp

{
public:
BOOL InitInstance();

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};

class CExampleDlg : public CDialog

{
public:
enum { IDD = IDD_EXAMPLE_DLG };

CExampleDlg();
~CExampleDlg();
};

CExampleDlg::CExampleDlg():CDialog(CExampleDlg::IDD)
{
}

CExampleDlg::~CExampleDlg()
{
}

BOOL CExample::InitInstance()
{
CExampleDlg myDlg;
m_pMainWnd = &myDlg;
myDlg.DoModal();
return TRUE;
}
CExample MyApp;

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Step 3: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following dialog
box.

Dialog-Based Applications
Microsoft Visual Studio provides an easier way to create an application that is mainly based
on a dialog box. Here are the steps to create a dialog base project using project templates
available in Visual Studio:

Step 1: Open the Visual studio and click on the File -> New -> Project menu option. You
can see the New Project dialog box.

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Step 2: From the left pane, select Templates -> Visual C++ -> MFC.

Step 3: In the middle pane, select MFC Application.

Step 4: Enter project name ‘MFCModalDemo’ in the Name field and click OK to continue.
You will see the following dialog box.

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Step 6: Click Next.

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Step 7: Select the options shown in the above dialog box and click Next.

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Step 8: Check all the options that you choose to have on your dialog box like Maximize
and Minimize Boxes and click Next.

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Step 9: Click Next.

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Step 10: It will generate these two classes. You can change the name of the classes and
click Finish.

Step 11: You can now see that the MFC wizard creates this Dialog Box and the project
files by default.

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Step 12: When you run this application, you will see the following output.

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 7. MFC - Windows Resources Microsoft Foundation Classes

A resource is a text file that allows the compiler to manage objects such as pictures,
sounds, mouse cursors, dialog boxes, etc. Microsoft Visual Studio makes creating a
resource file particularly easy by providing the necessary tools in the same environment
used to program. This means, you usually do not have to use an external application to
create or configure a resource file. Following are some important features related to
resources.

 Resources are interface elements that provide information to the user.

 Bitmaps, icons, toolbars, and cursors are all resources.

 Some resources can be manipulated to perform an action such as selecting from

a menu or entering data in dialog box.

 An application can use various resources that behave independently of each

other, these resources are grouped into a text file that has the *.rc extension.

 Most resources are created by selecting the desired one from the Add Resource
dialog box.

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 The Add Resource dialog box provides an extensive list of resources which can be
used as per requirements, but if you need something which is not available then
you can add it manually to the *.rc file before executing the program.

Identifiers
An identifier is a symbol which is a constant integer whose name usually starts with ID.
It consists of two parts — a text string (symbol name) mapped to an integer value (symbol
value).

 Symbols provide a descriptive way of referring to resources and user-interface

objects, both in your source code and while you're working with them in the
resource editors.

 When you create a new resource or resource object, the resource editors
provide a default name for the resource, for example, IDC_DIALOG1, and assign
a value to it.

 The name-plus-value definition is stored in the Resource.h file.

Step 1: Let us look into our CMFCDialogDemo example from the last chapter in which
we have created a dialog box and its ID is IDD_EXAMPLE_DLG.

Step 2: Go to the Solution Explorer, you will see the resource.h file under Header Files.
Continue by opening this file in editor and you will see the dialog box identifier and its
integer value as well.

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Icons
An icon is a small picture used on a window which represents an application. It is used in
two main scenarios.

 On a Window's frame, it is displayed on the left side of the Window name on the
title bar.

 In Windows Explorer, on the Desktop, in My Computer, or in the Control Panel

window.

If you look at our MFCModalDemo example, you will see that Visual studio was using a
default icon for the title bar as shown in the following snapshot.

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You can create your own icon by following the steps given below:

Step 1: Right-click on your project and select Add -> Resources, you will see the Add
Resources dialog box.

Step 2: Select Icon and click New button and you will see the following icon.

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Step 3: In Solution Explorer, go to Resource View and expand MFCModalDemo > Icon.
You will see two icons. The IDR_MAINFRAME is the default one and IDI_ICON1 is the newly
created icon.

Step 4: Right-click on the newly Created icon and select Properties.

Step 5: IDI_ICON1 is the ID of this icon, now Let us change this ID to IDR_MYICON.

Step 6: You can now change this icon in the designer as per your requirements. We will
use the same icon.

Step 7: Save this icon.

Step 8: Go to the CMFCModalDemoDlg constructor in CMFCModalDemoDlg.cpp file which

will look like the following code.

CMFCModalDemoDlg::CMFCModalDemoDlg(CWnd* pParent /*=NULL*/)

: CDialogEx(IDD_MFCMODALDEMO_DIALOG, pParent)
{
m_hIcon = AfxGetApp()->LoadIcon(IDR_MAINFRAME);
}

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Step 9: You can now see that the default icon is loaded in the constructor. Let us change
it to IDR_ MYICON as shown in the following code.

CMFCModalDemoDlg::CMFCModalDemoDlg(CWnd* pParent /*=NULL*/)

: CDialogEx(IDD_MFCMODALDEMO_DIALOG, pParent)
{
m_hIcon = AfxGetApp()->LoadIcon(IDR_ MYICON);
}

Step 10: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the new icon is
displayed on the dialog box.

Menus
Menus allow you to arrange commands in a logical and easy-to-find fashion. With the
Menu editor, you can create and edit menus by working directly with a menu bar that
closely resembles the one in your finished application. To create a menu, follow the steps
given below:

Step 1: Right-click on your project and select Add -> Resources. You will see the Add
Resources dialog box.

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Step 2: Select Menu and click New. You will see the rectangle that contains "Type Here"
on the menu bar.

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Step 3: Write some menu options like File, Edit, etc. as shown in the following snapshot.

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Step 4: If you expand the Menu folder in Resource View, you will see the Menu identifier
IDR_MENU1. Right-click on this identifier and change it to IDM_MAINMENU.

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Step 5: Save all the changes.

Step 6: We need to attach this menu to our dialog box. Expand your Dialog folder in
Solution Explorer and double click on the dialog box identifier.

Step 7: You will see the menu field in the Properties. Select the Menu identifier from the
dropdown as shown above.

Step 8: Run this application and you will see the following dialog box which also contains
menu options.

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Toolbars
A toolbar is a Windows control that allows the user to perform some actions on a form by
clicking a button instead of using a menu.

 A toolbar provides a convenient group of buttons that simplifies the user's job by
bringing the most accessible actions as buttons.

 A toolbar can bring such common actions closer to the user.

 Toolbars usually display under the main menu.

 They can be equipped with buttons but sometimes their buttons or some of their
buttons have a caption.

 Toolbars can also be equipped with other types of controls.

To create a toolbar, following are the steps.

Step 1: Right-click on your project and select Add -> Resources. You will see the Add
Resources dialog box.

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Step 2: Select Toolbar and click New. You will see the following screen.

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Step 3: Design your toolbar in the designer as shown in the following screenshot and
specify the IDs as well.

Step 4: Add these two variables in CMFCModalDemoDlg class.

CToolBar m_wndToolBar;
BOOL butD;

Step 5: Following is the complete implementation of CMFCModalDemoDlg in

CMFCModalDemoDlg.h file:

class CMFCModalDemoDlg : public CDialogEx

{
// Construction
public:
CMFCModalDemoDlg(CWnd* pParent = NULL); // standard constructor

// Dialog Data
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#ifdef AFX_DESIGN_TIME
enum { IDD = IDD_MFCMODALDEMO_DIALOG };
#endif

protected:
virtual void DoDataExchange(CDataExchange* pDX); // DDX/DDV support

// Implementation
protected:
HICON m_hIcon;
CToolBar m_wndToolBar;
BOOL butD;

// Generated message map functions

virtual BOOL OnInitDialog();
afx_msg void OnPaint();
afx_msg HCURSOR OnQueryDragIcon();
DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP()
public:
afx_msg void OnBnClickedOk();
};

Step 6: Update CMFCModalDemoDlg::OnInitDialog() as shown in the following code.

BOOL CMFCModalDemoDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

if (!m_wndToolBar.Create(this)
|| !m_wndToolBar.LoadToolBar(IDR_TOOLBAR1))
//if (!m_wndToolBar.CreateEx(this, TBSTYLE_FLAT, WS_CHILD |

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// WS_VISIBLE | CBRS_TOP | CBRS_GRIPPER | CBRS_TOOLTIPS |

// CBRS_FLYBY | CBRS_SIZE_DYNAMIC) ||
// !m_wndToolBar.LoadToolBar(IDR_TOOLBAR1))
{
TRACE0("Failed to Create Dialog Toolbar\n");
EndDialog(IDCANCEL);
}
butD = TRUE;
CRect rcClientOld; // Old Client Rect
CRect rcClientNew; // New Client Rect with Tollbar Added

// Retrive the Old Client WindowSize

// Called to reposition and resize control bars in the client area
of a window
// The reposQuery FLAG does not really traw the Toolbar. It only
does the calculations.
// And puts the new ClientRect values in rcClientNew so we can do
the rest of the Math.

GetClientRect(rcClientOld);
RepositionBars(AFX_IDW_CONTROLBAR_FIRST, AFX_IDW_CONTROLBAR_LAST,
0,
reposQuery, rcClientNew);

// All of the Child Windows (Controls) now need to be moved so the

Tollbar does not cover them up.
// Offest to move all child controls after adding Tollbar
CPoint ptOffset(rcClientNew.left - rcClientOld.left,
rcClientNew.top - rcClientOld.top);

CRect rcChild;
CWnd* pwndChild = GetWindow(GW_CHILD); //Handle to the Dialog
Controls
while (pwndChild) // Cycle through all child controls
{
pwndChild->GetWindowRect(rcChild); // Get the child control
RECT
ScreenToClient(rcChild);
// Changes the Child Rect by the values of the claculated
offset

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rcChild.OffsetRect(ptOffset);
pwndChild->MoveWindow(rcChild, FALSE); // Move the Child
Control
pwndChild = pwndChild->GetNextWindow();
}

CRect rcWindow;
// Get the RECT of the Dialog
GetWindowRect(rcWindow);

// Increase width to new Client Width

rcWindow.right += rcClientOld.Width() - rcClientNew.Width();

// Increase height to new Client Height

rcWindow.bottom += rcClientOld.Height() - rcClientNew.Height();
// Redraw Window
MoveWindow(rcWindow, FALSE);

// Now we REALLY Redraw the Toolbar

RepositionBars(AFX_IDW_CONTROLBAR_FIRST, AFX_IDW_CONTROLBAR_LAST,
0);

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

Step 7: Run this application. You will see the following dialog box which also contains the
toolbar.

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Accelerators
An access key is a letter that allows the user to perform a menu action faster by using
the keyboard instead of the mouse. This is usually faster because the user would not need
to position the mouse anywhere, which reduces the time it takes to perform the action.

Step 1: To create an access key, type an ampersand "&" on the left of the menu item.

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Step 2: Repeat this step for all menu options. Run this application and press Alt. You will
see that the first letter of all menu options are underlined.

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Shortcut Key
A shortcut key is a key or a combination of keys used by advanced users to perform an
action that would otherwise be done on a menu item. Most shortcuts are a combination
of the Ctrl key simultaneously pressed with a letter key. For example, Ctrl + N, Ctrl + O,
or Ctrl + D.

To create a shortcut, on the right side of the string that makes up a menu caption, right-
click on the menu item and select properties.

In the Caption field type \t followed by the desired combination as shown below for the
New menu option. Repeat the step for all menu options.

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Accelerator Table
An Accelerator Table is a list of items where each item of the table combines an identifier,
a shortcut key, and a constant number that specifies the kind of accelerator key. Just like
the other resources, an accelerator table can be created manually in a .rc file. Following
are the steps to create an accelerator table.

Step 1: To create an accelerator table, right-click on *.rc file in the solution explorer.

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Step 2: Select Accelerator and click New.

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Step 3: Click the arrow of the ID combo box and select menu Items.

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Step 4: Select Ctrl from the Modifier dropdown.

Step 5: Click the Key box and type the respective Keys for both menu options.

We will also add New menu item event handler to testing. Right-click on the New menu
option.

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Step 6: You can specify a class, message type and handler name. For now, let us leave it
as it is and click Add and Edit button.

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Step 7: Select Add Event Handler

Step 8: You will now see the event added at the end of the CMFCModalDemoDlg.cpp file.

void CMFCModalDemoDlg::OnFileNew()
{
// TODO: Add your command handler code here
MessageBox(L"File > New menu option");
}

Step 9: Now Let us add a message box that will display the simple menu option message.

To start accelerator table in working add the HACCEL variable and ProcessMessageFilter
as shown in the following CMFCModalDemoApp.

class CMFCModalDemoApp : public CWinApp

{
public:
CMFCModalDemoApp();

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// Overrides
public:
virtual BOOL InitInstance();
HACCEL m_hAccelTable;

// Implementation

DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP()
virtual BOOL ProcessMessageFilter(int code, LPMSG lpMsg);
};

Step 10: Load Accelerator and the following call in the

CMFCModalDemoApp::InitInstance().

m_hAccelTable = LoadAccelerators(AfxGetInstanceHandle(),
MAKEINTRESOURCE(IDR_ACCELERATOR1));

Step 11: Here is the implementation of ProcessMessageFilter.

BOOL CMFCModalDemoApp::ProcessMessageFilter(int code, LPMSG lpMsg)

{
if (code >= 0 && m_pMainWnd && m_hAccelTable)
{
if (::TranslateAccelerator(m_pMainWnd->m_hWnd, m_hAccelTable,
lpMsg))
return TRUE;
}
return CWinApp::ProcessMessageFilter(code, lpMsg);
}

Step 12: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

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Step 13: Press Alt button followed by F key and then N key or Ctrl + N. You will see the
following message.

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 8. MFC - Property Sheets Microsoft Foundation Classes

A property sheet, also known as a tab dialog box, is a dialog box that contains property
pages. Each property page is based on a dialog template resource and contains controls.
It is enclosed on a page with a tab on top. The tab names the page and indicates its
purpose. Users click a tab in the property sheet to select a set of controls.

To create property pages, let us look into a simple example by creating a dialog based
MFC project.

Once the project is created, we need to add some property pages.

Visual Studio makes it easy to create resources for property pages by displaying the Add
Resource dialog box, expanding the Dialog node and selecting one of the
IDD_PROPPAGE_X items.

Step 1: Right-click on your project in solution explorer and select Add -> Resources.

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Step 2: Select the IDD_PROPPAGE_LARGE and click NEW.

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Step 3: Let us change ID and Caption of this property page to IDD_PROPPAGE_1 and
Property Page 1 respectively as shown above.

Step 4: Right-click on the property page in designer window.

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Step 5: Select the Add Class option.

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Step 6: Enter the class name and select CPropertyPage from base class dropdown list.

Step 7: Click Finish to continue.

Step 8: Add one more property page with ID IDD_PROPPAGE_2 and Caption Property
Page 2 by following the above mentioned steps.

Step 9: You can now see two property pages created. To implement its functionality, we
need a property sheet.

The Property Sheet groups the property pages together and keeps it as entity.

To create a property sheet, follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Right-click on your project and select Add > Class menu options

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Step 2: Select Visual C++ -> MFC from the left pane and MFC Class in the template pane
and click Add.

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Step 3: Enter the class name and select CPropertySheet from base class dropdown list.

Step 4: Click finish to continue.

Step 5: To launch this property sheet, we need the following changes in our main project
class.

Step 6: Add the following references in CMFCPropSheetDemo.cpp file.

#include "MySheet.h"
#include "PropPage1.h"
#include "PropPage2.h"

Step 7: Modify the CMFCPropSheetDemoApp::InitInstance() method as shown in the

following code.

CMySheet mySheet(L"Property Sheet Demo");

CPropPage1 page1;
CPropPage2 page2;

mySheet.AddPage(&page1);
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mySheet.AddPage(&page2);

m_pMainWnd = &mySheet;
INT_PTR nResponse = mySheet.DoModal();

Step 8: Here is the complete implementation of CMFCPropSheetDemo.cpp file.

// MFCPropSheetDemo.cpp : Defines the class behaviors for the application.

//

#include "stdafx.h"
#include "MFCPropSheetDemo.h"
#include "MFCPropSheetDemoDlg.h"
#include "MySheet.h"
#include "PropPage1.h"
#include "PropPage2.h"

#ifdef _DEBUG
#define new DEBUG_NEW
#endif

// CMFCPropSheetDemoApp

BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CMFCPropSheetDemoApp, CWinApp)
ON_COMMAND(ID_HELP, &CWinApp::OnHelp)
END_MESSAGE_MAP()

// CMFCPropSheetDemoApp construction

CMFCPropSheetDemoApp::CMFCPropSheetDemoApp()
{
// support Restart Manager
m_dwRestartManagerSupportFlags = AFX_RESTART_MANAGER_SUPPORT_RESTART;

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// TODO: add construction code here,

// Place all significant initialization in InitInstance
}

// The one and only CMFCPropSheetDemoApp object

CMFCPropSheetDemoApp theApp;

// CMFCPropSheetDemoApp initialization

BOOL CMFCPropSheetDemoApp::InitInstance()
{
// InitCommonControlsEx() is required on Windows XP if an application
// manifest specifies use of ComCtl32.dll version 6 or later to enable
// visual styles. Otherwise, any window creation will fail.
INITCOMMONCONTROLSEX InitCtrls;
InitCtrls.dwSize = sizeof(InitCtrls);
// Set this to include all the common control classes you want to use
// in your application.
InitCtrls.dwICC = ICC_WIN95_CLASSES;
InitCommonControlsEx(&InitCtrls);

CWinApp::InitInstance();

AfxEnableControlContainer();

// Create the shell manager, in case the dialog contains

// any shell tree view or shell list view controls.
CShellManager *pShellManager = new CShellManager;

// Activate "Windows Native" visual manager for enabling themes in MFC

controls
CMFCVisualManager::SetDefaultManager(RUNTIME_CLASS(CMFCVisualManagerWindow
s));

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// Standard initialization
// If you are not using these features and wish to reduce the size
// of your final executable, you should remove from the following
// the specific initialization routines you do not need
// Change the registry key under which our settings are stored
// TODO: You should modify this string to be something appropriate
// such as the name of your company or organization
SetRegistryKey(_T("Local AppWizard-Generated Applications"));

CMySheet mySheet(L"Property Sheet Demo");

CPropPage1 page1;
CPropPage2 page2;

mySheet.AddPage(&page1);
mySheet.AddPage(&page2);

m_pMainWnd = &mySheet;
INT_PTR nResponse = mySheet.DoModal();
if (nResponse == IDOK)
{
// TODO: Place code here to handle when the dialog is
// dismissed with OK
}
else if (nResponse == IDCANCEL)
{
// TODO: Place code here to handle when the dialog is
// dismissed with Cancel
}
else if (nResponse == -1)
{ TRACE(traceAppMsg, 0, "Warning: dialog creation failed, so
application is terminating unexpectedly.\n");
TRACE(traceAppMsg, 0, "Warning: if you are using MFC controls on
the dialog, you cannot #define _AFX_NO_MFC_CONTROLS_IN_DIALOGS.\n");
}

// Delete the shell manager created above.

if (pShellManager != NULL)
{

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delete pShellManager;
}
// Since the dialog has been closed, return FALSE so that we exit the
// application, rather than start the application's message pump.
return FALSE;}

Step 9: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following dialog
box. This dialog box contains two property pages.

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 9. MFC - Windows Layout Microsoft Foundation Classes

Layout of controls is very important and critical for application usability. It is used to
arrange a group of GUI elements in your application. There are certain important things
to consider while selecting layout:

 Positions of the child elements.

 Sizes of the child elements.

Adding controls
Let us create new Dialog based MFC Project MFCLayoutDemo.

Step 1: Once the project is created, you will see the following screen.

Step 2: Delete the TODO from the dialog box.

Step 3: Drag some controls from the Toolbox which you can see on the left side.

(We will drag one Static Text and one Edit Control as shown in the following snapshot).

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Step 4: Change the Caption of the Static Text to Name.

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Control Grid
Control grid is the guiding grid dots, which can help in positioning of the controls you are
adding at the time of designing.

To enable the control grid, you need to click the Toggle Grid button in the toolbar as shown
in the following snapshot.

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Controls Resizing
After you have added a control to a dialog box, it assumes either its default size or the
size you drew it with. To help with the sizes of controls on the form or dialog box, Visual
Studio provides a visual grid made of black points.

To resize a control, that is, to give it a particular width or height, position the mouse on
one of the handles and drag it in the desired direction.

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You can now resize the controls with the help of this dotted grid.

Controls Positions
The controls you position on a dialog box or a form assume their given place. Most of the
time, these positions are not practical. You can move them around to any position of your
choice.

Let us add some more controls:

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Step 1: To move a control, click and drag it in the desired direction until it reaches the
intended position.

Step 2: To move a group of controls, first select them. Then drag the selection to the
desired location. Let us select the Static Texts and Edit Controls.

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Step 3: Move these selected controls to the left side.

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To help with positioning the controls, Visual Studio provides the Dialog toolbar with the
following buttons.

Step 1: Let us align the Check box and Static Text controls to the left by selecting all
these controls.

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Step 2: Select the Format -> Align -> Lefts.

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Step 3: You can now see all these controls are aligned to the left.

Tab Ordering
The controls you add to a form or a dialog box are positioned in a sequence that follows
the order they were added. When you add control(s) regardless of the section or area you
place the new control, it is sequentially positioned at the end of the existing controls. If
you do not fix it, the user would have a hard time navigating the controls. The sequence
of controls navigation is also known as the tab order.

To change the tab, you can either use the Format -> Tab Order menu option or you can
also use the Ctrl + D shortcut. Let us press Ctrl + D.

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You can now see the order in which all these controls are added to this dialog box. To
Change the order or sequence of controls, click on all the controls in sequence in which
you want to navigate.

In this example, we will first click on the checkbox followed by Name and Address Edit
controls. Then click OK and Cancel as shown in the following snapshot.

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Let us run this application and you will see the following output.

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 10. MFC - Controls Management Microsoft Foundation Classes

In MFC applications, after visually adding a control to your application, if you want to refer
to it in your code, you can declare a variable based on, or associated with that control.
The MFC library allows you to declare two types of variables for some of the controls used
in an application a value or a control variable.

 One variable is used for the information stored in the control, which is also known
as Control Variable/Instance.

 The other variable is known as Control Value Variable. A user can perform
some sort of actions on that control with this variable.

Control Variable/Instance
A control variable is a variable based on the class that manages the control. For example,
a button control is based on the CButton class.

To see these concepts in real programming, let us create an MFC dialog based project
MFCControlManagement.

Once the project is created, you will see the following dialog box in designer window.

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Step 1: Delete the TODO line and drag one checkbox and one Edit control as shown in the
following snapshot. Change the caption of checkbox to Enable Control.

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Step 2: Right-click on the checkbox.

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Step 3: Select Add Variable.

Step 4: You can now see the Add Member Variable Wizard.

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You can select different options on this dialog box. For checkbox, the variable type is
CButton. It is selected by default in this dialog box.

Similarly, the control ID is also selected by default now we need to select Control in the
Category combo box, and type m_enableDisableCheck in the Variable Name edit box and
click finish.

Step 5: Similarly, add Control Variable of Edit control with the settings as shown in the
following snapshot.

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Observe the header file of the dialog class. You can see that the new variables have been
added now.

CButton m_enableDisableCheck;
CEdit m_myEditControl;

Control Value Variable

Another type of variable you can declare for a control is the value variable. Not all controls
provide a value variable.

 The value variable must be able to handle the type of value stored in the control
it is intended to refer to.

 For example, because a text based control is used to handle text, you can declare
a text-based data type for it. This would usually be a CString variable.

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Let us look into this type of variable for checkbox and edit control.

Step 1: Right-click on the checkbox and select Add Variable.

Step 2: The Variable type is BOOL. Select Value from the Category dropdown list.

Step 3: Click Finish to continue.

Step 4: Similarly, add value Variable for Edit control with the settings as shown in the
following snapshot.

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Step 5: Type CString in variable type and m_editControlVal in the variable name field.

Step 6: You can now see these variables added in the Header file.

bool m_enableDisableVal;
CString m_editControlVal;

Controls Event Handlers

After adding a control to your application, whether you visually added it or created it
dynamically, you will also decide how to handle the possible actions that the user can
perform on the control.

 For project dialog boxes that are already associated with a class, you can take
advantage of some shortcuts when you create event handlers.

 You can quickly create a handler either for the default control notification event or
for any applicable Windows message.

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Let us look into the same example in which we added event handler for checkbox.

Step 1: Right-click the control for which you want to handle the notification event.

Step 2: On the shortcut menu, click Add Event Handler to display the Event Handler
Wizard.

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Step 3: Select the event in the Message type box to add to the class selected in the Class
list box.

Step 4: Accept the default name in the Function handler name box, or provide the name
of your choice.

Step 5: Click Add and edit to add the event handler.

Step 6: You can now see the following event added at the end of
CMFCControlManagementDlg.cpp file.

void CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnBnClickedCheck1()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
}

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Controls Management
So far, we have seen how to add controls to an application. We will now see how to manage
these controls as per user requirement. We can use the control variable/instance in a
particular event handler.

Step 1: Let us look into the following example. Here, we will enable/disable the edit control
when the checkbox is checked/unchecked.

Step 2: We have now added the checkbox click event handler. Here is the implementation:

void CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnBnClickedCheck1()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);
if (m_enableDisableVal)
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(TRUE);
else
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(FALSE);
}

Step 3: When the dialog is created, we need to add the following code to
CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnInitDialog(). This will manage these controls.

UpdateData(TRUE);
if (m_enableDisableVal)
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(TRUE);
else
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(FALSE);

Step 4: Here is the complete implementation of CMFCControlManagementDlg.cpp file.

// MFCControlManagementDlg.cpp : implementation file

//

#include "stdafx.h"
#include "MFCControlManagement.h"
#include "MFCControlManagementDlg.h"
#include "afxdialogex.h"

#ifdef _DEBUG

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#define new DEBUG_NEW

#endif

// CAboutDlg dialog used for App About

class CAboutDlg : public CDialogEx

{
public:
CAboutDlg();

// Dialog Data
#ifdef AFX_DESIGN_TIME
enum { IDD = IDD_ABOUTBOX };
#endif

protected:
virtual void DoDataExchange(CDataExchange* pDX); // DDX/DDV support

// Implementation
protected:
DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP()
};

CAboutDlg::CAboutDlg() : CDialogEx(IDD_ABOUTBOX)
{
}

void CAboutDlg::DoDataExchange(CDataExchange* pDX)

{
CDialogEx::DoDataExchange(pDX);
}

BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CAboutDlg, CDialogEx)
END_MESSAGE_MAP()

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// CMFCControlManagementDlg dialog

CMFCControlManagementDlg::CMFCControlManagementDlg(CWnd* pParent /*=NULL*/)

: CDialogEx(IDD_MFCCONTROLMANAGEMENT_DIALOG, pParent)
, m_enableDisableVal(FALSE)
, m_editControlVal(_T(""))
{
m_hIcon = AfxGetApp()->LoadIcon(IDR_MAINFRAME);
}

void CMFCControlManagementDlg::DoDataExchange(CDataExchange* pDX)

{
CDialogEx::DoDataExchange(pDX);
DDX_Control(pDX, IDC_CHECK1, m_enableDisableCheck);
DDX_Control(pDX, IDC_EDIT1, m_myEditControl);
DDX_Check(pDX, IDC_CHECK1, m_enableDisableVal);
DDX_Text(pDX, IDC_EDIT1, m_editControlVal);
}

BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CMFCControlManagementDlg, CDialogEx)
ON_WM_SYSCOMMAND()
ON_WM_PAINT()
ON_WM_QUERYDRAGICON()
ON_BN_CLICKED(IDC_CHECK1, &CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnBnClickedCheck1)
END_MESSAGE_MAP()

// CMFCControlManagementDlg message handlers

BOOL CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Add "About..." menu item to system menu.

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// IDM_ABOUTBOX must be in the system command range.

ASSERT((IDM_ABOUTBOX & 0xFFF0) == IDM_ABOUTBOX);
ASSERT(IDM_ABOUTBOX < 0xF000);

CMenu* pSysMenu = GetSystemMenu(FALSE);

if (pSysMenu != NULL)
{
BOOL bNameValid;
CString strAboutMenu;
bNameValid = strAboutMenu.LoadString(IDS_ABOUTBOX);
ASSERT(bNameValid);
if (!strAboutMenu.IsEmpty())
{
pSysMenu->AppendMenu(MF_SEPARATOR);
pSysMenu->AppendMenu(MF_STRING, IDM_ABOUTBOX, strAboutMenu);
}
}

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

UpdateData(TRUE);
if (m_enableDisableVal)
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(TRUE);
else
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(FALSE);

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

void CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnSysCommand(UINT nID, LPARAM lParam)

{
if ((nID & 0xFFF0) == IDM_ABOUTBOX)
{

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CAboutDlg dlgAbout;
dlgAbout.DoModal();
}
else
{
CDialogEx::OnSysCommand(nID, lParam);
}
}

// If you add a minimize button to your dialog, you will need the code below
// to draw the icon. For MFC applications using the document/view model,
// this is automatically done for you by the framework.

void CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnPaint()
{
if (IsIconic())
{
CPaintDC dc(this); // device context for painting

SendMessage(WM_ICONERASEBKGND,
reinterpret_cast<WPARAM>(dc.GetSafeHdc()), 0);

// Center icon in client rectangle

int cxIcon = GetSystemMetrics(SM_CXICON);
int cyIcon = GetSystemMetrics(SM_CYICON);
CRect rect;
GetClientRect(&rect);
int x = (rect.Width() - cxIcon + 1) / 2;
int y = (rect.Height() - cyIcon + 1) / 2;

// Draw the icon

dc.DrawIcon(x, y, m_hIcon);
}
else
{
CDialogEx::OnPaint();
}
}
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// The system calls this function to obtain the cursor to display while the
user drags
// the minimized window.
HCURSOR CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnQueryDragIcon()
{
return static_cast<HCURSOR>(m_hIcon);
}

void CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnBnClickedCheck1()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);
if (m_enableDisableVal)
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(TRUE);
else
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(FALSE);
}

Step 5: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.
The checkbox is unchecked by default. This disables the edit control too.

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Step 6: Check the Enable Control checkbox. This will automatically enable the edit control.

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 11. MFC - Windows Controls Microsoft Foundation Classes

Windows controls are objects that users can interact with to enter or manipulate data.
They commonly appear in dialog boxes or on toolbars. There are various types of controls:

 A text based control which is used to display text to the user or request text
from the user.

 A list based control displays a list of items.

 A progress based control is used to show the progress of an action.

 A static control can be used to show colors, a picture or something that does
not regularly fit in the above categories.

Static Control
A static control is an object that displays information to the user without his or her direct
intervention. It can be used to show colors, a geometric shape, or a picture such as an
icon, a bitmap, or an animation. Following are the static controls:

 Static Text
 Picture Control
 Group Box

Animation Control
An animation control is a window that displays an Audio clip in AVI format. An AVI clip is
a series of bitmap frames, like a movie. Animation controls can only play simple AVI clips,
and they do not support sound. It is represented by the CAnimateCtrl class.

Following is the list of methods in CAnimateCtrl class:

Name Description
Close Closes the AVI clip.
Creates an animation control and attaches it to a CAnimateCtrl
Create
object.
Creates an animation control with the specified Windows
CreateEx
extended styles and attaches it to a CAnimateCtrl object.
Indicates whether an Audio-Video Interleaved (AVI) clip is
IsPlaying
playing.
Opens an AVI clip from a file or resource and displays the first
Open
frame.
Play Plays the AVI clip without sound.
Seek Displays a selected single frame of the AVI clip.
Stop Stops playing the AVI clip.

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Here is the list of messages mapping for animation control:

Message Map entry Description

ACN_START ON_ACN_START ( <id>, The framework calls this member
<memberFxn> ) function when an animation is being
started
ACN_STOP ON_ACN_STOP ( <id>, The framework calls this member
<memberFxn> ) function when an animation stop

Let us look into a simple example of animation control.

Step 1: Create a new MFC dialog based project.

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Step 2: Once the project is created, remove the TODO line and click on Animation Control
in Toolbox and draw a rectangle as shown in the following snapshot.

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Step 3: To add a control variable for animation control, right-click and select Add Variable.

Step 4: Enter the variable name and variable type, which is CAnimateCtrl for animation.

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Step 5: Using the Properties window, set the Border value to False, Set the Auto Play, the
Center, and the transparent values to True.

Step 6: Here we have *.avi file in res folder, which is the default folder for any resources
used in the project

Step 7: To start the animation, we need to call the Open method CAnimateCtrl class.
Add the following line of code in CMFCAnimationDemoDlg::OnInitDialog()

m_animationCtrl.Open(L"res\\copyfile.avi");

Step 8: Here is the complete implementation of CMFCAnimationDemoDlg::OnInitDialog()

BOOL CMFCAnimationDemoDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Add "About..." menu item to system menu.

// IDM_ABOUTBOX must be in the system command range.

ASSERT((IDM_ABOUTBOX & 0xFFF0) == IDM_ABOUTBOX);

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ASSERT(IDM_ABOUTBOX < 0xF000);

CMenu* pSysMenu = GetSystemMenu(FALSE);

if (pSysMenu != NULL)
{
BOOL bNameValid;
CString strAboutMenu;
bNameValid = strAboutMenu.LoadString(IDS_ABOUTBOX);
ASSERT(bNameValid);
if (!strAboutMenu.IsEmpty())
{
pSysMenu->AppendMenu(MF_SEPARATOR);
pSysMenu->AppendMenu(MF_STRING, IDM_ABOUTBOX, strAboutMenu);
}
}

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

m_animationCtrl.Open(L"res\\copyfile.avi");

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

Step 9: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

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Button
A button is an object that the user clicks to initiate an action. Button control is represented
by CButton class.

Here is the list of methods in CButton class:

Name Description
Creates the Windows button control and attaches it to
Create
the CButton object.
DrawItem Override to draw an owner-drawn CButton object.
Retrieves the handle of the bitmap previously set with
GetBitmap
SetBitmap.
GetButtonStyle Retrieves information about the button control style.
GetCheck Retrieves the check state of a button control.
Retrieves the handle of the cursor image previously
GetCursor
set with SetCursor.
Retrieves the handle of the icon previously set with
GetIcon
SetIcon.
GetIdealSize Retrieves the ideal size of the button control.
GetImageList Retrieves the image list of the button control.
Retrieves the note component of the current
GetNote
command link control.
Retrieves the length of the note text for the current
GetNoteLength
command link control.
Retrieves the glyph associated with the current split
GetSplitGlyph
button control.
Retrieves the image list for the current split button
GetSplitImageList
control.
Retrieves information that defines the current split
GetSplitInfo
button control.
Retrieves the bounding rectangle of the drop-down
GetSplitSize
component of the current split button control.
Retrieves the split button styles that define the
GetSplitStyle
current split button control.
Retrieves the check state, highlight state, and focus
GetState
state of a button control.
GetTextMargin Retrieves the text margin of the button control.
SetBitmap Specifies a bitmap to be displayed on the button.
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SetButtonStyle Changes the style of a button.

SetCheck Sets the check state of a button control.
Specifies a cursor image to be displayed on the
SetCursor
button.
Sets the drop-down state of the current split button
SetDropDownState
control.
SetIcon Specifies an icon to be displayed on the button.
SetImageList Sets the image list of the button control.
SetNote Sets the note on the current command link control.
Associates a specified glyph with the current split
SetSplitGlyph
button control.
Associates an image list with the current split button
SetSplitImageList
control.
Specifies information that defines the current split
SetSplitInfo
button control.
Sets the bounding rectangle of the drop-down
SetSplitSize
component of the current split button control.
SetSplitStyle Sets the style of the current split button control.
SetState Sets the highlighting state of a button control.
SetTextMargin Sets the text margin of the button control.

Here is the list of messages mapping for Button control:

Message Map entry Description

The framework calls this
ON_BN_CLICKED( <id>,
BN_CLICKED member function when the
<memberFxn> )
button is clicked.
The framework calls this
ON_BN_DISABLE( <id>,
BN_DISABLE member function when the
<memberFxn> )
button is disabled.
The framework calls this
ON_BN_DOUBLECLICKED( <id>,
BN_DOUBLECLICKED member function when the
<memberFxn> )
button is double clicked.
The framework calls this
ON_BN_PAINT( <id>, member function when an
BN_PAINT
<memberFxn> ) application makes a request
to repaint a button.

Let us look into a simple example by dragging two buttons from the Toolbox.

Step 1: Change the Caption from Start, Stop and ID to IDC_BUTTON_START,

IDC_BUTTON_STOP for both buttons.

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Step 2: Let us add event handler for both buttons.

Step 3: Here is an implementation of both events in which we will start and stop
animation.

void CMFCAnimationDemoDlg::OnBnClickedButtonStart()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
m_animationCtrl.Open(L"res\\copyfile.avi");
}

void CMFCAnimationDemoDlg::OnBnClickedButtonStop()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
m_animationCtrl.Stop();
}

Step 4: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.
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Step 5: When you click the Stop button, the animation stops and when you press the
Start button, it starts again.

Bitmap Button
A bitmap button displays a picture or a picture and text on its face. This is usually
intended to make the button a little explicit. A bitmap button is created using the
CBitmapButton class, which is derived from CButton.

Here is the list of methods in CBitmapButton class.

Name Description
Associates a button in a dialog box with an object of
AutoLoad the CBitmapButton class, loads the bitmap(s) by
name, and sizes the button to fit the bitmap.
Initializes the object by loading one or more named
LoadBitmaps bitmap resources from the application's resource file
and attaching the bitmaps to the object.
SizeToContent It resizes the button to the size of the bitmaps.

Here is the list of messages mapping for Bitmap Button control:

Message Map entry Description

The framework calls this
ON_BN_CLICKED( <id>,
BN_CLICKED member function when the
<memberFxn> )
button is clicked.
The framework calls this
ON_BN_DISABLE( <id>,
BN_DISABLE member function when the
<memberFxn> )
button is disabled.
The framework calls this
ON_BN_DOUBLECLICKED(
BN_DOUBLECLICKED member function when the
<id>, <memberFxn> )
button is double clicked.
The framework calls this
ON_BN_PAINT( <id>, member function when an
BN_PAINT
<memberFxn> ) application makes a request
to repaint a button.

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Let us look into a simple example by creating a new project.

Step 1: Add a Bitmap from Add Resource dialog box.

Step 2: Select Bitmap and click New.

Step 3: Design your bitmap and change its ID to IDB_BITMAP_START as shown above.
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Step 4: Add a button to your dialog box and also add a control Variable m_buttonStart
for that button.

Step 5: Add a bitmap variable in your header file. You can now see the following two
variables.

CBitmap m_bitmapStart;
CButton m_buttonStart;

Step 6: Modify your OnInitDialog() method as shown in the following code.

m_bitmapStart.LoadBitmap(IDB_BITMAP_START);
HBITMAP hBitmap = (HBITMAP)m_bitmapStart.GetSafeHandle();
m_buttonStart.SetBitmap(hBitmap);

Step 7: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Command Button
A command button is an enhanced version of the regular button. It displays a green
arrow icon on the left, followed by a caption in regular size. Under the main caption, it can
display another smaller caption that serves as a hint to provide more information.

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Here is the list of methods in CommandButton class:

Name Description
Creates the Windows button control and attaches it to
Create
the CButton object.
DrawItem Override to draw an owner-drawn CButton object.
Retrieves the handle of the bitmap previously set with
GetBitmap
SetBitmap.
GetButtonStyle Retrieves information about the button control style.
GetCheck Retrieves the check state of a button control.
Retrieves the handle of the cursor image previously set
GetCursor
with SetCursor.
Retrieves the handle of the icon previously set with
GetIcon
SetIcon.
GetIdealSize Retrieves the ideal size of the button control.
GetImageList Retrieves the image list of the button control.
Retrieves the note component of the current command
GetNote
link control.
Retrieves the length of the note text for the current
GetNoteLength
command link control.
Retrieves the glyph associated with the current split
GetSplitGlyph
button control.
Retrieves the image list for the current split button
GetSplitImageList
control.
Retrieves information that defines the current split
GetSplitInfo
button control.
Retrieves the bounding rectangle of the drop-down
GetSplitSize
component of the current split button control.
Retrieves the split button styles that define the current
GetSplitStyle
split button control.
Retrieves the check state, highlight state, and focus
GetState
state of a button control.
GetTextMargin Retrieves the text margin of the button control.
SetBitmap Specifies a bitmap to be displayed on the button.
SetButtonStyle Changes the style of a button.
SetCheck Sets the check state of a button control.
SetCursor Specifies a cursor image to be displayed on the button.
Sets the drop-down state of the current split button
SetDropDownState
control.
SetIcon Specifies an icon to be displayed on the button.
SetImageList Sets the image list of the button control.
SetNote Sets the note on the current command link control.
Associates a specified glyph with the current split
SetSplitGlyph
button control.
Associates an image list with the current split button
SetSplitImageList
control.
Specifies information that defines the current split
SetSplitInfo
button control.
Sets the bounding rectangle of the drop-down
SetSplitSize
component of the current split button control.
SetSplitStyle Sets the style of the current split button control.
SetState Sets the highlighting state of a button control.
SetTextMargin Sets the text margin of the button control.

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Here is the list of messages mapping for Command Button control:

Message Map entry Description

BN_CLICKED ON_BN_CLICKED( <id>, The framework calls this
<memberFxn> ) member function when the
button is clicked.
BN_DISABLE ON_BN_DISABLE( <id>, The framework calls this
<memberFxn> ) member function when the
button is disabled.
BN_DOUBLECLICKED ON_BN_DOUBLECLICKED( <id>, The framework calls this
<memberFxn> ) member function when the
button is double clicked.
BN_PAINT ON_BN_PAINT( <id>, The framework calls this
<memberFxn> ) member function when an
application makes a request
to repaint a button.

Let us look into a simple example of command button by creating a new MFC dialog based
project MFCCommandButton

Step 1: From the Toolbox, add Command Button Control.

Step 2: Change the Caption to My Command button.

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Step 3: Add the event handler for this button and add the following message in the event
handler.

void CMFCCommandButtonDlg::OnBnClickedCommand1()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
MessageBox(L"My Command Button Clicked");
}

Step 4: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Step 5: When the My Command Button is clicked; the following message will be displayed.

Static Text
A static control displays a text string, box, rectangle, icon, cursor, bitmap, or enhanced
metafile. It is represented by CStatic class. It can be used to label, box, or separate
other controls. A static control normally takes no input and provides no output.

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Here is the list of methods in CStatic class:

Name Description
Creates the Windows static control and attaches it
Create
to the CStatic object.
DrawItem Override to draw an owner-drawn static control.
Retrieves the handle of the bitmap previously set
GetBitmap
with SetBitmap.
Retrieves the handle of the cursor image previously
GetCursor
set with SetCursor.
Retrieves the handle of the enhanced metafile
GetEnhMetaFile
previously set with SetEnhMetaFile.
Retrieves the handle of the icon previously set with
GetIcon
SetIcon.
Specifies a bitmap to be displayed in the static
SetBitmap
control.
Specifies a cursor image to be displayed in the
SetCursor
static control.
Specifies an enhanced metafile to be displayed in
SetEnhMetaFile
the static control.
Specifies an icon to be displayed in the static
SetIcon
control.

Let us look into a simple example of Static Text.

Step 1: Drag a Static Text control from Toolbox.

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Step 2: Change the Caption to It is Static Text Control and run your application you
will see the following dialog box, which now contains the Static Text control as well.

List Box
A list box displays a list of items, such as filenames, that the user can view and select. A
List box is represented by CListBox class. In a single-selection list box, the user can
select only one item. In a multiple-selection list box, a range of items can be selected.
When the user selects an item, it is highlighted and the list box sends a notification
message to the parent window.

Here is the list of methods in CListBox class.

Name Description
AddString Adds a string to a list box.
CharToItem Override to provide custom WM_CHAR
handling for owner-draw list boxes which
don't have strings.
CompareItem Called by the framework to determine
the position of a new item in a sorted
owner-draw list box.
Create Creates the Windows list box and
attaches it to the CListBox object.
DeleteItem Called by the framework when the user
deletes an item from an owner-draw list
box.
DeleteString Deletes a string from a list box.
Dir Adds filenames, drives, or both from the
current directory to a list box.

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DrawItem Called by the framework when a visual

aspect of an owner-draw list box
changes.
FindString Searches for a string in a list box.
FindStringExact Finds the first list-box string that
matches a specified string.
GetAnchorIndex Retrieves the zero-based index of the
current anchor item in a list box.
GetCaretIndex Determines the index of the item that
has the focus rectangle in a multiple-
selection list box.
GetCount Returns the number of strings in a list
box.
GetCurSel Returns the zero-based index of the
currently selected string in a list box.
GetHorizontalExtent Returns the width in pixels that a list box
can be scrolled horizontally.
GetItemData Returns the 32-bit value associated with
the list-box item.
GetItemDataPtr Returns a pointer to a list-box item.
GetItemHeight Determines the height of items in a list
box.
GetItemRect Returns the bounding rectangle of the
list-box item as it is currently displayed.
GetListBoxInfo Retrieves the number of items per
column.
GetLocale Retrieves the locale identifier for a list
box.
GetSel Returns the selection state of a list-box
item.
GetSelCount Returns the number of strings currently
selected in a multiple-selection list box.
GetSelItems Returns the indices of the strings
currently selected in a list box.
GetText Copies a list-box item into a buffer.
GetTextLen Returns the length in bytes of a list-box
item.
GetTopIndex Returns the index of the first visible
string in a list box.
InitStorage Preallocates blocks of memory for list
box items and strings.
InsertString Inserts a string at a specific location in a
list box.
ItemFromPoint Returns the index of the list-box item
nearest a point.
MeasureItem Called by the framework when an owner-
draw list box is created to determine list-
box dimensions.
ResetContent Clears all the entries from a list box.
SelectString Searches for and selects a string in a
single-selection list box.
SelItemRange Selects or deselects a range of strings in
a multiple-selection list box.

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SetAnchorIndex Sets the anchor in a multiple-selection

list box to begin an extended selection.
SetCaretIndex Sets the focus rectangle to the item at
the specified index in a multiple-
selection list box.
SetColumnWidth Sets the column width of a multicolumn
list box.
SetCurSel Selects a list-box string.
SetHorizontalExtent Sets the width in pixels that a list box
can be scrolled horizontally.
SetItemData Sets the 32-bit value associated with the
list-box item.
SetItemDataPtr Sets a pointer to the list-box item.
SetItemHeight Sets the height of items in a list box.
SetLocale Sets the locale identifier for a list box.
SetSel Selects or deselects a list-box item in a
multiple-selection list box.
SetTabStops Sets the tab-stop positions in a list box.
SetTopIndex Sets the zero-based index of the first
visible string in a list box.
VKeyToItem Override to provide custom
WM_KEYDOWN handling for list boxes
with the LBS_WANTKEYBOARDINPUT
style set.

Here are some mapping entries for Listbox:

Message Map entry Description

The framework calls this
ON_LBN_DBLCLK( <id>,
LBN_DBLCLK member function when list item
<memberFxn> )
is double clicked.
The framework calls this
ON_LBN_KILLFOCUS( <id>,
LBN_KILLFOCUS member function immediately
<memberFxn> )
before losing the input focus.
The framework calls this
ON_LBN_SELCHANGE( <id>,
LBN_SELCHANGE member function when selection
<memberFxn> )
is changed.
The framework calls this
ON_LBN_SETFOCUS( <id>,
LBN_SETFOCUS member function after gaining
<memberFxn> )
the input focus.

Let us look into a simple example of List box by creating a new MFC dialog based
application.

Step 1: Once the project is created, you will see the TODO line which is the Caption of
Text Control. Remove the Caption and set its ID to IDC_STATIC_TXT.

Step 2: Drag List Box from the Toolbox.

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Step 3: Add the control variable for the Text control.

Step 4: Add the Value variable for the Text control.

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Step 5: Add the control variable for the List Box control.

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Step 6: Add the event handler for the List Box control.

Step 7: Select the LBN_SELCHANGE from the message type and enter name for the event
handler.

Step 8: Add one function, which will load the list box.

void CMFCListBoxDlg::LoadListBox()
{
CString str = _T("");
for (int i = 0; i<10; i++)
{
str.Format(_T("Item %d"), i);
m_listBox.AddString(str);
}
}

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Step 9: Call the function from CMFCListBoxDlg::OnInitDialog() as shown in the following

code.

BOOL CMFCListBoxDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

LoadListBox();
return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

Step 10: Here is the event handler implementation. This will display the current selected
item from the List Box.

void CMFCListBoxDlg::OnLbnSelchangeList1()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
m_listBox.GetText(m_listBox.GetCurSel(),m_strItemSelected);
UpdateData(FALSE);

Step 11: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

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Step 12: When you select any item, it will be displayed on the Text Control.

Combo Boxes
A combo box consists of a list box combined with either a static control or edit control. it
is represented by CComboBox class. The list-box portion of the control may be displayed
at all times or may only drop down when the user selects the drop-down arrow next to the
control.

Here is the list of methods of CComboBox class:

Name Description
AddString Adds a string to the end of the
list in the list box of a combo box,
or at the sorted position for list
boxes with the CBS_SORT style.
Clear Deletes (clears) the current
selection, if any, in the edit
control.
CompareItem Called by the framework to
determine the relative position of
a new list item in a sorted owner-
drawn combo box.
Copy Copies the current selection, if
any, onto the Clipboard in
CF_TEXT format.
Create Creates the combo box and
attaches it to the CComboBox
object.

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Cut Deletes (cuts) the current

selection, if any, in the edit
control and copies the deleted
text onto the Clipboard in
CF_TEXT format.
DeleteItem Called by the framework when a
list item is deleted from an
owner-drawn combo box.
DeleteString Deletes a string from the list box
of a combo box.
Dir Adds a list of file names to the list
box of a combo box.
DrawItem Called by the framework when a
visual aspect of an owner-drawn
combo box changes.
FindString Finds the first string that
contains the specified prefix in
the list box of a combo box.
FindStringExact Finds the first list-box string (in
a combo box) that matches the
specified string.
GetComboBoxInfo Retrieves information about the
CComboBox object.
GetCount Retrieves the number of items in
the list box of a combo box.
GetCueBanner Gets the cue text that is
displayed for a combo box
control.
GetCurSel Retrieves the index of the
currently selected item, if any, in
the list box of a combo box.
GetDroppedControlRect Retrieves the screen coordinates
of the visible (dropped down) list
box of a drop-down combo box.
GetDroppedState Determines whether the list box
of a drop-down combo box is
visible (dropped down).
GetDroppedWidth Retrieves the minimum allowed
width for the drop-down list-box
portion of a combo box.
GetEditSel Gets the starting and ending
character positions of the current
selection in the edit control of a
combo box.
GetExtendedUI Determines whether a combo
box has the default user
interface or the extended user
interface.
GetHorizontalExtent Returns the width in pixels that
the list-box portion of the combo
box can be scrolled horizontally.
GetItemData Retrieves the application-
supplied 32-bit value associated

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with the specified combo-box

item.
GetItemDataPtr Retrieves the application-
supplied 32-bit pointer that is
associated with the specified
combo-box item.
GetItemHeight Retrieves the height of list items
in a combo box.
GetLBText Gets a string from the list box of
a combo box.
GetLBTextLen Gets the length of a string in the
list box of a combo box.
GetLocale Retrieves the locale identifier for
a combo box.
GetMinVisible Gets the minimum number of
visible items in the drop-down
list of the current combo box.
GetTopIndex Returns the index of the first
visible item in the list-box
portion of the combo box.
InitStorage Preallocates blocks of memory
for items and strings in the list-
box portion of the combo box.
InsertString Inserts a string into the list box
of a combo box.
LimitText Limits the length of the text that
the user can enter into the edit
control of a combo box.
MeasureItem Called by the framework to
determine combo box
dimensions when an owner-
drawn combo box is created.
Paste Inserts the data from the
Clipboard into the edit control at
the current cursor position. Data
is inserted only if the Clipboard
contains data in CF_TEXT format.
ResetContent Removes all items from the list
box and edit control of a combo
box.
SelectString Searches for a string in the list
box of a combo box and, if the
string is found, selects the string
in the list box and copies the
string to the edit control.
SetCueBanner Sets the cue text that is
displayed for a combo box
control.
SetCurSel Selects a string in the list box of
a combo box.
SetDroppedWidth Sets the minimum allowed width
for the drop-down list-box
portion of a combo box.

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SetEditSel Selects characters in the edit

control of a combo box.
SetExtendedUI Selects either the default user
interface or the extended user
interface for a combo box that
has the CBS_DROPDOWN or
CBS_DROPDOWNLIST style.
SetHorizontalExtent Sets the width in pixels that the
list-box portion of the combo box
can be scrolled horizontally.
SetItemData Sets the 32-bit value associated
with the specified item in a
combo box.
SetItemDataPtr Sets the 32-bit pointer
associated with the specified
item in a combo box.
SetItemHeight Sets the height of list items in a
combo box or the height of the
edit-control (or static-text)
portion of a combo box.
SetLocale Sets the locale identifier for a
combo box.
SetMinVisibleItems Sets the minimum number of
visible items in the drop-down
list of the current combo box.
SetTopIndex Tells the list-box portion of the
combo box to display the item
with the specified index at the
top.
ShowDropDown Shows or hides the list box of a
combo box that has the
CBS_DROPDOWN or
CBS_DROPDOWNLIST style.

Here is the list of messages mapping for Combobox control:

Message Map entry Description

CBN_DBLCLK ON_CBN_DBLCLK( <id>, The user double-clicks a
<memberFxn> ) string in the list box of a
combo box
CBN_DROPDOWN ON_CBN_DROPDOWN( <id>, The list box of a combo box
<memberFxn> ) is about to drop down (be
made visible).
CBN_EDITCHANGE ON_CBN_EDITCHANGE( <id>, The user has taken an
<memberFxn> ) action that may have
altered the text in the edit-
control portion of a combo
box.
CBN_EDITUPDATE ON_CBN_EDITUPDATE( <id>, The edit-control portion of a
<memberFxn> ) combo box is about to
display altered text.
CBN_KILLFOCUS ON_CBN_KILLFOCUS( <id>, The combo box is losing the
<memberFxn> ) input focus.

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CBN_SELCHANGE ON_CBN_SELCHANGE( <id>, he selection in the list box

<memberFxn> ) of a combo box is about to
be changed as a result of
the user either clicking in
the list box or changing the
selection by using the arrow
keys.
CBN_SETFOCUS ON_CBN_SETFOCUS( <id>, The combo box receives the
<memberFxn> ) input focus.

Let us look into an example of Radio button by creating a new MFC dialog based
application.

Step 1: Drag a Combo box and remove the Caption of Static Text control.

Step 2: Add a control variable m_comboBoxCtrl for combobox and value variable
m_strTextCtrl for Static Text control.

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Step 3: Add event handler for selection change of combo box.

Step 4: Add the following code in OnInitDialog() to load the combo box.

for (int i = 0; i<10; i++)

{
str.Format(_T("Item %d"), i);
m_comboBoxCtrl.AddString(str);
}

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Step 5: Here is the implementation of event handler.

void CMFCComboBoxDlg::OnCbnSelchangeCombo1()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
m_comboBoxCtrl.GetLBText(m_comboBoxCtrl.GetCurSel(), m_strTextCtrl);
UpdateData(FALSE);
}

Step 6: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Step 7: When you select any item then it will be displayed on the Text Control.

Radio Buttons
A radio button is a control that appears as a dot surrounded by a round box. In reality,
a radio button is accompanied by one or more other radio buttons that appear and behave
as a group.

Here is the list of methods in Radio Button class.

Name Description
Creates the Windows button control and attaches it to
Create
the CButton object.
DrawItem Override to draw an owner-drawn CButton object.

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Retrieves the handle of the bitmap previously set with

GetBitmap
SetBitmap.
GetButtonStyle Retrieves information about the button control style.
GetCheck Retrieves the check state of a button control.
Retrieves the handle of the cursor image previously set
GetCursor
with SetCursor.
Retrieves the handle of the icon previously set with
GetIcon
SetIcon.
GetIdealSize Retrieves the ideal size of the button control.
GetImageList Retrieves the image list of the button control.
Retrieves the note component of the current command
GetNote
link control.
Retrieves the length of the note text for the current
GetNoteLength
command link control.
Retrieves the glyph associated with the current split
GetSplitGlyph
button control.
Retrieves the image list for the current split button
GetSplitImageList
control.
Retrieves information that defines the current split
GetSplitInfo
button control.
Retrieves the bounding rectangle of the drop-down
GetSplitSize
component of the current split button control.
Retrieves the split button styles that define the current
GetSplitStyle
split button control.
Retrieves the check state, highlight state, and focus
GetState
state of a button control.
GetTextMargin Retrieves the text margin of the button control.
SetBitmap Specifies a bitmap to be displayed on the button.
SetButtonStyle Changes the style of a button.
SetCheck Sets the check state of a button control.
SetCursor Specifies a cursor image to be displayed on the button.
Sets the drop-down state of the current split button
SetDropDownState
control.
SetIcon Specifies an icon to be displayed on the button.
SetImageList Sets the image list of the button control.
SetNote Sets the note on the current command link control.
Associates a specified glyph with the current split
SetSplitGlyph
button control.
Associates an image list with the current split button
SetSplitImageList
control.
Specifies information that defines the current split
SetSplitInfo
button control.
Sets the bounding rectangle of the drop-down
SetSplitSize
component of the current split button control.
SetSplitStyle Sets the style of the current split button control.
SetState Sets the highlighting state of a button control.
SetTextMargin Sets the text margin of the button control.

Here is the list of messages mapping for Radio Button control:

Message Map entry Description

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BN_CLICKED ON_BN_CLICKED( <id>, The framework calls this

<memberFxn> ) member function when is
button clicked
BN_DISABLE ON_BN_DISABLE( <id>, The framework calls this
<memberFxn> ) member function when
button is disabled
BN_DOUBLECLICKED ON_BN_DOUBLECLICKED( <id>, The framework calls this
<memberFxn> ) member function when
button is double clicked
BN_PAINT ON_BN_PAINT( <id>, The framework calls this
<memberFxn> ) member function when an
application makes a request
to repaint a button

Let us look into an example of Radio button by creating a new MFC dialog based application

Step 1: Drag a group box and three radio buttons and remove the Caption of Static Text
control.

Step 2: Add event handler for all the three radio buttons.

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Step 3: Add the Value variable for the Static Text control.

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Step 4: Here is the implementation of three event handlers.

void CMFCRadioButtonDlg::OnBnClickedRadio1()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
m_strTextControl = _T("Radio Button 1 Clicked");
UpdateData(FALSE);
}

void CMFCRadioButtonDlg::OnBnClickedRadio2()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
m_strTextControl = _T("Radio Button 2 Clicked");
UpdateData(FALSE);
}

void CMFCRadioButtonDlg::OnBnClickedRadio3()
{

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// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here

m_strTextControl = _T("Radio Button 3 Clicked");
UpdateData(FALSE);
}

Step 5: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.
When you select any radio button, the message is displayed on Static Text control.

Checkboxes
A checkbox is a Windows control that allows the user to set or change the value of an item
as true or false.

Here is the list of methods in Checkbox class:

Name Description
Creates the Windows button control and attaches it to
Create
the CButton object.
DrawItem Override to draw an owner-drawn CButton object.
Retrieves the handle of the bitmap previously set with
GetBitmap
SetBitmap.
GetButtonStyle Retrieves information about the button control style.
GetCheck Retrieves the check state of a button control.
Retrieves the handle of the cursor image previously
GetCursor
set with SetCursor.
Retrieves the handle of the icon previously set with
GetIcon
SetIcon.
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GetIdealSize Retrieves the ideal size of the button control.

GetImageList Retrieves the image list of the button control.
Retrieves the note component of the current
GetNote
command link control.
Retrieves the length of the note text for the current
GetNoteLength
command link control.
Retrieves the glyph associated with the current split
GetSplitGlyph
button control.
Retrieves the image list for the current split button
GetSplitImageList
control.
Retrieves information that defines the current split
GetSplitInfo
button control.
Retrieves the bounding rectangle of the drop-down
GetSplitSize
component of the current split button control.
Retrieves the split button styles that define the
GetSplitStyle
current split button control.
Retrieves the check state, highlight state, and focus
GetState
state of a button control.
GetTextMargin Retrieves the text margin of the button control.
SetBitmap Specifies a bitmap to be displayed on the button.
SetButtonStyle Changes the style of a button.
SetCheck Sets the check state of a button control.
Specifies a cursor image to be displayed on the
SetCursor
button.
Sets the drop-down state of the current split button
SetDropDownState
control.
SetIcon Specifies an icon to be displayed on the button.
SetImageList Sets the image list of the button control.
SetNote Sets the note on the current command link control.
Associates a specified glyph with the current split
SetSplitGlyph
button control.
Associates an image list with the current split button
SetSplitImageList
control.
Specifies information that defines the current split
SetSplitInfo
button control.
Sets the bounding rectangle of the drop-down
SetSplitSize
component of the current split button control.
SetSplitStyle Sets the style of the current split button control.
SetState Sets the highlighting state of a button control.
SetTextMargin Sets the text margin of the button control.

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Here is the list of messages mapping for checkbox control:

Message Map entry Description

The framework calls this
ON_BN_CLICKED( <id>,
BN_CLICKED member function when the
<memberFxn> )
button is clicked.
The framework calls this
ON_BN_DISABLE( <id>,
BN_DISABLE member function when the
<memberFxn> )
button is disabled.
The framework calls this
ON_BN_DOUBLECLICKED(
BN_DOUBLECLICKED member function when the
<id>, <memberFxn> )
button is double clicked.
The framework calls this
member function when an
ON_BN_PAINT( <id>,
BN_PAINT application makes a
<memberFxn> )
request to repaint a
button.

Let us create a new MFC dialog based project.

Once the project is created, you will see the following dialog box in designer window.

Step 1: Delete the TODO line and drag one checkbox and one Edit control as shown in the
following snapshot. Also change the caption of checkbox to Enable Control.

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Step 2: Right-click on the checkbox and select Add Variable.

Step 3: You can select different options on this dialog box. For checkbox, the CButton
variable type is selected by default.

Step 4: Similarly, the control ID is also selected by default. We now need to select Control
in the Category combo box, and type m_enableDisableCheck in the Variable Name edit
box and click Finish.

Step 5: Add Control Variable of Edit control with the settings as shown in the following
snapshot.

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Step 6: Observe the header file of the dialog class. You can see that these two variables
have been added now.

CButton m_enableDisableCheck;
CEdit m_myEditControl;

Step 7: Right-click on the checkbox and select Add Variable.

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Step 8: Click Finish to continue.

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Step 9: Add value Variable for Edit control with the settings as shown in the following
snapshot.

Step 10: Observe the header file. You can see that the new variables have been added
now.

bool m_enableDisableVal;
CString m_editControlVal;

Step 11: Now we will add event handler for checkbox.

Step 12: Right-click the control for which you want to handle the notification event.

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Step 13: Select the event in the Message type box to add to the class selected in the
Class list box.

Step 14: Accept the default name in the Function handler name box, or provide a name
of your choice.

Step 15: Click Add and Edit to add the event handler.

Step 16: You can now see the following event added at the end of
CMFCControlManagementDlg.cpp file.

void CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnBnClickedCheck1()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
}

Step 17: This enables/disables the edit control when the checkbox is checked/unchecked.

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Step 18: We have now added the checkbox click event handler. Here is the
implementation of event handler for checkbox.

void CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnBnClickedCheck1()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);
if (m_enableDisableVal)
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(TRUE);
else
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(FALSE);
}

Step 19: We need to add the following code to

CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnInitDialog(). When the dialog is created, it will manage
these controls.

UpdateData(TRUE);
if (m_enableDisableVal)
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(TRUE);
else
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(FALSE);

Step 20: Here is the complete implementation of CMFCControlManagementDlg.cpp file.

// MFCControlManagementDlg.cpp : implementation file

//

#include "stdafx.h"
#include "MFCControlManagement.h"
#include "MFCControlManagementDlg.h"
#include "afxdialogex.h"

#ifdef _DEBUG
#define new DEBUG_NEW
#endif

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// CAboutDlg dialog used for App About

class CAboutDlg : public CDialogEx

{
public:
CAboutDlg();

// Dialog Data
#ifdef AFX_DESIGN_TIME
enum { IDD = IDD_ABOUTBOX };
#endif

protected:
virtual void DoDataExchange(CDataExchange* pDX); // DDX/DDV support

// Implementation
protected:
DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP()
};

CAboutDlg::CAboutDlg() : CDialogEx(IDD_ABOUTBOX)
{
}

void CAboutDlg::DoDataExchange(CDataExchange* pDX)

{
CDialogEx::DoDataExchange(pDX);
}

BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CAboutDlg, CDialogEx)
END_MESSAGE_MAP()

CMFCControlManagementDlg::CMFCControlManagementDlg(CWnd* pParent /*=NULL*/)

: CDialogEx(IDD_MFCCONTROLMANAGEMENT_DIALOG, pParent)
, m_enableDisableVal(FALSE)
, m_editControlVal(_T(""))
{

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m_hIcon = AfxGetApp()->LoadIcon(IDR_MAINFRAME);
}

void CMFCControlManagementDlg::DoDataExchange(CDataExchange* pDX)

{
CDialogEx::DoDataExchange(pDX);
DDX_Control(pDX, IDC_CHECK1, m_enableDisableCheck);
DDX_Control(pDX, IDC_EDIT1, m_myEditControl);
DDX_Check(pDX, IDC_CHECK1, m_enableDisableVal);
DDX_Text(pDX, IDC_EDIT1, m_editControlVal);
}

BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CMFCControlManagementDlg, CDialogEx)
ON_WM_SYSCOMMAND()
ON_WM_PAINT()
ON_WM_QUERYDRAGICON()
ON_BN_CLICKED(IDC_CHECK1, &CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnBnClickedCheck1)
END_MESSAGE_MAP()

// CMFCControlManagementDlg message handlers

BOOL CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Add "About..." menu item to system menu.

// IDM_ABOUTBOX must be in the system command range.

ASSERT((IDM_ABOUTBOX & 0xFFF0) == IDM_ABOUTBOX);
ASSERT(IDM_ABOUTBOX < 0xF000);

CMenu* pSysMenu = GetSystemMenu(FALSE);

if (pSysMenu != NULL)
{
BOOL bNameValid;
CString strAboutMenu;

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bNameValid = strAboutMenu.LoadString(IDS_ABOUTBOX);
ASSERT(bNameValid);
if (!strAboutMenu.IsEmpty())
{
pSysMenu->AppendMenu(MF_SEPARATOR);
pSysMenu->AppendMenu(MF_STRING, IDM_ABOUTBOX, strAboutMenu);
}
}

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

UpdateData(TRUE);
if (m_enableDisableVal)
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(TRUE);
else
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(FALSE);

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

void CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnSysCommand(UINT nID, LPARAM lParam)

{
if ((nID & 0xFFF0) == IDM_ABOUTBOX)
{
CAboutDlg dlgAbout;
dlgAbout.DoModal();
}
else
{
CDialogEx::OnSysCommand(nID, lParam);
}
}

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// If you add a minimize button to your dialog, you will need the code below
// to draw the icon. For MFC applications using the document/view model,
// this is automatically done for you by the framework.

void CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnPaint()
{
if (IsIconic())
{
CPaintDC dc(this); // device context for painting

SendMessage(WM_ICONERASEBKGND,
reinterpret_cast<WPARAM>(dc.GetSafeHdc()), 0);

// Center icon in client rectangle

int cxIcon = GetSystemMetrics(SM_CXICON);
int cyIcon = GetSystemMetrics(SM_CYICON);
CRect rect;
GetClientRect(&rect);
int x = (rect.Width() - cxIcon + 1) / 2;
int y = (rect.Height() - cyIcon + 1) / 2;

// Draw the icon

dc.DrawIcon(x, y, m_hIcon);
}
else
{
CDialogEx::OnPaint();
}
}

// The system calls this function to obtain the cursor to display while the
user drags
// the minimized window.
HCURSOR CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnQueryDragIcon()
{
return static_cast<HCURSOR>(m_hIcon);
}

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void CMFCControlManagementDlg::OnBnClickedCheck1()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);
if (m_enableDisableVal)
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(TRUE);
else
m_myEditControl.EnableWindow(FALSE);
}

Step 21: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.
You can now see the checkbox is unchecked by default. This disables the edit control.

Step 22: Now when you check the checkbox, the edit control is enabled.

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Image Lists
An Image List is a collection of same-sized images, each of which can be referred to by
its zero-based index. Image lists are used to efficiently manage large sets of icons or
bitmaps. Image lists are represented by CImageList class.

Here is the list of methods in CImageList class:

Name Description
Adds an image or images to an
Add
image list.
Attaches an image list to a
Attach
CImageList object.
BeginDrag Begins dragging an image.
Copies an image within a
Copy
CImageList object.
Initializes an image list and
Create
attaches it to a CImageList object.
DeleteImageList Deletes an image list.
Called by the CWinApp idle-time
handler to delete any temporary
DeleteTempMap
CImageList object created by
FromHandle.
Detaches an image list object from
Detach a CImageList object and returns a
handle to an image list.
Locks updates during a drag
DragEnter operation and displays the drag
image at a specified position.

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Unlocks the window and hides the

DragLeave drag image so that the window
can be updated.
Moves the image that is being
DragMove dragged during a drag-and-drop
operation.
Shows or hides the drag image
DragShowNolock during a drag operation, without
locking the window.
Draws the image that is being
Draw dragged during a drag-and-drop
operation.
Draws an image list item in the
specified device context. The
DrawEx function uses the specified
drawing style and blends the
image with the specified color.
Draws an image from an image
DrawIndirect
list.
EndDrag Ends a drag operation.
Creates an icon based on an
ExtractIcon
image and mask in an image list.
Returns a pointer to a CImageList
object when given a handle to an
image list. If a CImageList object
FromHandle
is not attached to the handle, a
temporary CImageList object is
created and attached.
Returns a pointer to a CImageList
object when given a handle to an
FromHandlePermanent image list. If a CImageList object
is not attached to the handle,
NULL is returned.
Retrieves the current background
GetBkColor
color for an image list.
Gets the temporary image list that
GetDragImage
is used for dragging.
Retrieves the number of images in
GetImageCount
an image list.
Retrieves information about an
GetImageInfo
image.
GetSafeHandle Retrieves m_hImageList.
Reads an image list from an
Read
archive.
Removes an image from an image
Remove
list.
Replaces an image in an image list
Replace
with a new image.
Sets the background color for an
SetBkColor
image list.
SetDragCursorImage Creates a new drag image.
Resets the count of images in an
SetImageCount
image list.

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Adds the zero-based index of an

SetOverlayImage image to the list of images to be
used as overlay masks.
Write Writes an image list to an archive.

Let us create a new MFC Application MFCImageListDemo with the following settings.

Step 1: Add bmp file as a resource in your application.

Step 2: In header file of CMFCImageListDemoView class, add the following two variables.

CImageList ImageList;
int nImage;

Step 3: Add the following code in constructor of CMFCImageListDemoView.

CMFCImageListDemoView::CMFCImageListDemoView()
{
// TODO: add construction code here
ImageList.Create(800, 800, ILC_COLOR, 4, 1);

CBitmap bmp;
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bmp.LoadBitmap(IDB_BITMAP1);
ImageList.Add(&bmp, RGB(0, 0, 0));

Step 4: Call the CImageList::Draw() method as follows.

void CMFCImageListDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
CMFCImageListDemoDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();
ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);

nImage = 0;
ImageList.Draw(pDC , nImage, CPoint(0,0), ILD_NORMAL);
Invalidate();

if (!pDoc)
return;

// TODO: add draw code for native data here

}

Step 5: When you run this application, you will see the following output.

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Edit Box
An Edit Box is a rectangular child window in which the user can enter text. It is
represented by CEdit class.

Here is the list of methods in CEdit class:

Name Description
Determines whether an edit-control
CanUndo
operation can be undone.
Retrieves the line and character indexes for
CharFromPos
the character closest to a specified position.
Deletes (clears) the current selection (if
Clear
any) in the edit control.
Copies the current selection (if any) in the
Copy edit control to the Clipboard in CF_TEXT
format.
Creates the Windows edit control and
Create
attaches it to the CEdit object.
Deletes (cuts) the current selection (if any)
Cut in the edit control and copies the deleted
text to the Clipboard in CF_TEXT format.

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Resets (clears) the undo flag of an edit

EmptyUndoBuffer
control.
Sets the inclusion of soft line-break
FmtLines characters on or off within a multiple-line
edit control.
Retrieves the text that is displayed as the
GetCueBanner text cue, or tip, in an edit control when the
control is empty and does not have focus.
Determines the topmost visible line in an
GetFirstVisibleLine
edit control.
Retrieves a handle to the memory that is
GetHandle currently allocated for a multiple-line edit
control.
Gets the indexes of the starting and ending
GetHighlight characters in a range of text that is
highlighted in the current edit control.
Gets the maximum amount of text this
GetLimitText
CEdit can contain.
GetLine Retrieves a line of text from an edit control.
Retrieves the number of lines in a multiple-
GetLineCount
line edit control.
Gets the left and right margins for this
GetMargins
CEdit.
Determines whether the contents of an edit
GetModify
control have been modified.
Retrieves the password character displayed
GetPasswordChar
in an edit control when the user enters text.
Gets the formatting rectangle of an edit
GetRect
control.
Gets the first and last character positions of
GetSel
the current selection in an edit control.
Hides any balloon tip associated with the
HideBalloonTip
current edit control.
Limits the length of the text that the user
LimitText
can enter into an edit control.
Retrieves the line number of the line that
LineFromChar
contains the specified character index.
Retrieves the character index of a line within
LineIndex
a multiple-line edit control.
Retrieves the length of a line in an edit
LineLength
control.
Scrolls the text of a multiple-line edit
LineScroll
control.
Inserts the data from the Clipboard into the
edit control at the current cursor position.
Paste
Data is inserted only if the Clipboard
contains data in CF_TEXT format.
Retrieves the coordinates of the upper-left
PosFromChar
corner of a specified character index.
Replaces the current selection in an edit
ReplaceSel
control with the specified text.
Sets the text that is displayed as the text
SetCueBanner cue, or tip, in an edit control when the
control is empty and does not have focus.
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Sets the handle to the local memory that

SetHandle
will be used by a multiple-line edit control.
Highlights a range of text that is displayed
SetHighlight
in the current edit control.
Sets the maximum amount of text this CEdit
SetLimitText
can contain.
SetMargins Sets the left and right margins for this CEdit.
Sets or clears the modification flag for an
SetModify
edit control.
Sets or removes a password character
SetPasswordChar displayed in an edit control when the user
enters text.
SetReadOnly Sets the read-only state of an edit control.
Sets the formatting rectangle of a multiple-
SetRect
line edit control and updates the control.
Sets the formatting rectangle of a multiple-
SetRectNP line edit control without redrawing the
control window.
Selects a range of characters in an edit
SetSel
control.
Sets the tab stops in a multiple-line edit
SetTabStops
control.
Displays a balloon tip that is associated with
ShowBalloonTip
the current edit control.
Undo Reverses the last edit-control operation.

Here is the list of messages mapping for Edit Control.

Message Map entry Description

EN_CHANGE The user has taken an action
ON_EN_CHANGE( <id>, <memberFxn>
that may have altered text
)
in an edit control
EN_ERRSPACE The edit control cannot
ON_EN_ERRSPACE( <id>,
allocate enough memory to
<memberFxn> )
meet a specific request.
EN_HSCROLL The user clicks an edit
control's horizontal scroll
ON_EN_HSCROLL( <id>,
bar. The parent window is
<memberFxn> )
notified before the screen is
updated.
EN_KILLFOCUS ON_EN_KILLFOCUS( <id>, The edit control loses the
<memberFxn> ) input focus.
MAXTEXT The current insertion has
ON_EN_MAXTEXT( <id>,
exceeded the specified
<memberFxn> )
number of characters for the
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edit control and has been

truncated.
EN_SETFOCUS ON_EN_SETFOCUS( <id>, Sent when an edit control
<memberFxn> ) receives the input focus.
EN_UPDATE he edit control is about to
display altered text. Sent
after the control has
ON_EN_UPDATE( <id>, <memberFxn>
formatted the text but
)
before it screens the text so
that the window size can be
altered, if necessary.
EN_VSCROLL The user clicks an edit
control's vertical scroll bar.
ON_EN_VSCROLL( <id>,
The parent window is
<memberFxn> )
notified before the screen is
updated.

Let us into a simple example by creating a new MFC dialog based project.

Step 1: Remove the caption of Static Text control and drag one button and one Edit
control.

Step 2: Add a control variable m_editCtrl for edit control and value variable m_strTextCtrl
for Static text control.

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Step 3: Add the event handler for button click event.

Step 4: Here is the implementation of event handler for button click event.

void CMFCEditDlg::OnBnClickedButton1()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
CString str = _T("");
m_editCtrl.GetWindowTextW(str);

if (!str.IsEmpty())
m_strTextCtrl = str;
else
m_strTextCtrl = _T("Write Something");
UpdateData(FALSE);
}

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Step 5: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following.

Step 6: When you write text in the edit control and click Display, it will update that text
on Static Text Control.

Rich Edit
A Rich Edit Control is a window in which the user can enter and edit text. The text can be
assigned character and paragraph formatting, and can include embedded OLE objects. It
is represented by CRichEditCtrl class.

Here is the list of methods in CRichEditCtrl class:

Name Description
CanPaste Determines if the contents of
the Clipboard can be pasted
into this rich edit control.
CanRedo Determines whether there are
any actions in the controls redo
queue.
CanUndo Determines if an editing
operation can be undone.

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CharFromPos Retrieves information about

the character closest to a
specified point in the client area
of an edit control.
Clear Clears the current selection.
Copy Copies the current selection to
the Clipboard.
Create Creates the Windows rich edit
control and associates it with
this CRichEditCtrl object.
CreateEx Creates the Windows rich edit
control with the specified
extended Windows styles and
associates it with this
CRichEditCtrl object.
Cut Cuts the current selection to
the Clipboard.
DisplayBand Displays a portion of the
contents of this CRichEditCtrl
object.
EmptyUndoBuffer Resets (clears) the undo flag of
this CRichEditCtrl object.
FindText Locates text within this
CRichEditCtrl object.
FindWordBreak Finds the next word break
before or after the specified
character position, or retrieves
information about the
character at that position.
FormatRange Formats a range of text for the
target output device.
GetCharPos Determines the location of a
given character within this
CRichEditCtrl object.
GetDefaultCharFormat Retrieves the current default
character formatting attributes
in this CRichEditCtrl object.
GetEventMask Retrieves the event mask for
this CRichEditCtrl object.
GetFirstVisibleLine Determines the topmost visible
line in this CRichEditCtrl object.
GetIRichEditOle Retrieves a pointer to the
IRichEditOle interface for this
rich edit control.
GetLimitText Gets the limit on the amount of
text a user can enter into this
CRichEditCtrl object.
GetLine Retrieves a line of text from
this CRichEditCtrl object.
GetLineCount Retrieves the number of lines in
this CRichEditCtrl object.
GetModify Determines if the contents of
this CRichEditCtrl object have
changed since the last save.
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GetOptions Retrieves the rich edit control

options.
GetParaFormat Retrieves the paragraph
formatting attributes in the
current selection in this
CRichEditCtrl object.
GetPunctuation Retrieves the current
punctuation characters for the
rich edit control. This message
is available only in Asian-
language versions of the
operating system.
GetRect Retrieves the formatting
rectangle for this CRichEditCtrl
object.
GetRedoName Retrieves the type of the next
action, if any, in the control's
redo queue.
GetSel Gets the starting and ending
positions of the current
selection in this CRichEditCtrl
object.
GetSelectionCharFormat Retrieves the character
formatting attributes in the
current selection in this
CRichEditCtrl object.
GetSelectionType Retrieves the type of contents
in the current selection in this
CRichEditCtrl object.
GetSelText Gets the text of the current
selection in this CRichEditCtrl
object
GetTextLength Retrieves the length of the text,
in characters, in this
CRichEditCtrl object. Does not
include the terminating null
character.
GetTextLengthEx Retrieves the number of
characters or bytes in the rich
edit view. Accepts a list of flags
to indicate the method of
determining length of the text
in a rich edit control
GetTextMode Retrieves the current text
mode and undo level of a rich
edit control.
GetTextRange Retrieves the specified range of
text.
GetUndoName Retrieves the type of the next
undo action, if any.
GetWordWrapMode Retrieves the current word
wrapping and word breaking
options for the rich edit control.
This message is available only
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in Asian-language versions of
the operating system.
HideSelection Shows or hides the current
selection.
LimitText Limits the amount of text a
user can enter into the
CRichEditCtrl object.
LineFromChar Determines which line contains
the given character.
LineIndex Retrieves the character index
of a given line in this
CRichEditCtrl object.
LineLength Retrieves the length of a given
line in this CRichEditCtrl object.
LineScroll Scrolls the text in this
CRichEditCtrl object.
Paste Inserts the contents of the
Clipboard into this rich edit
control.
PasteSpecial Inserts the contents of the
Clipboard into this rich edit
control in the specified data
format.
PosFromChar Retrieves the client area
coordinates of a specified
character in an edit control.
Redo Redoes the next action in the
control's redo queue.
ReplaceSel Replaces the current selection
in this CRichEditCtrl object with
specified text.
RequestResize Forces this CRichEditCtrl object
to send request resize
notifications.
SetAutoURLDetect Indicates if the auto URL
detection is active in a rich edit
control.
SetBackgroundColor Sets the background color in
this CRichEditCtrl object.
SetDefaultCharFormat Sets the current default
character formatting attributes
in this CRichEditCtrl object.
SetEventMask Sets the event mask for this
CRichEditCtrl object.
SetModify Sets or clears the modification
flag for this CRichEditCtrl
object.
SetOLECallback Sets the
IRichEditOleCallback COM
object for this rich edit control.
SetOptions Sets the options for this
CRichEditCtrl object.
SetParaFormat Sets the paragraph formatting
attributes in the current
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selection in this CRichEditCtrl

object.
SetPunctuation Sets the punctuation
characters for a rich edit
control. This message is
available only in Asian-
language versions of the
operating system.
SetReadOnly Sets the read-only option for
this CRichEditCtrl object.
SetRect Sets the formatting rectangle
for this CRichEditCtrl object.
SetSel Sets the selection in this
CRichEditCtrl object.
SetSelectionCharFormat Sets the character formatting
attributes in the current
selection in this CRichEditCtrl
object.
SetTargetDevice Sets the target output device
for this CRichEditCtrl object.
SetTextMode Sets the text mode or undo
level of a rich edit control. The
message fails if the control
contains text.
SetUndoLimit Sets the maximum number of
actions that can stored in the
undo queue.
SetWordCharFormat Sets the character formatting
attributes in the current word
in this CRichEditCtrl object.
SetWordWrapMode Sets the word-wrapping and
word-breaking options for the
rich edit control. This message
is available only in Asian-
language versions of the
operating system.
StopGroupTyping Stops the control from
collecting additional typing
actions into the current undo
action. The control stores the
next typing action, if any, into
a new action in the undo
queue.
StreamIn Inserts text from an input
stream into this CRichEditCtrl
object.
StreamOut Stores text from this
CRichEditCtrl object into an
output stream.
Undo Reverses the last editing
operation.

Here is the list of messages mapping for Rich Edit Control:

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Message Map entry Description

The user has taken an action
ON_EN_CHANGE( <id>, <memberFxn>
EN_CHANGE that may have altered text
)
in an edit control.
The edit control cannot
ON_EN_ERRSPACE( <id>,
EN_ERRSPACE allocate enough memory to
<memberFxn> )
meet a specific request.
The user clicks an edit
control's horizontal scroll
ON_EN_HSCROLL( <id>,
EN_HSCROLL bar. The parent window is
<memberFxn> )
notified before the screen is
updated.
ON_EN_KILLFOCUS( <id>, The edit control loses the
EN_KILLFOCUS
<memberFxn> ) input focus.
The current insertion has
exceeded the specified
ON_EN_MAXTEXT( <id>,
MAXTEXT number of characters for the
<memberFxn> )
edit control and has been
truncated.
ON_EN_SETFOCUS( <id>, Sent when an edit control
EN_SETFOCUS
<memberFxn> ) receives the input focus.
he edit control is about to
display altered text. Sent
after the control has
ON_EN_UPDATE( <id>, <memberFxn>
EN_UPDATE formatted the text but
)
before it screens the text so
that the window size can be
altered, if necessary.
The user clicks an edit
control's vertical scroll bar.
ON_EN_VSCROLL( <id>,
EN_VSCROLL The parent window is
<memberFxn> )
notified before the screen is
updated.

Let us into a simple example by creating a new MFC dialog based application.

Step 1: Delete the TODO line and drag one Rich Edit Control and three buttons from the
Toolbox.

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Step 2: Change the Caption of these three buttons from Bold, Italic and Under Line to
IDC_BUTTON_BOLD, IDC_BUTTON_ITALIC and IDC_BUTTON_UNDERLINE respectively.

Step 3: Set the following properties to True: Multiline, Want Return, Vertical Scroll.

Step 4: Add the control variable m_richEdit for Rich Edit Control.

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Step 5: Go to the CMFCRichEditApp and call the ::AfxInitRichEdit2() in

CMFCRichEditApp::InitInstance() function as shown in the following code.

BOOL CMFCRichEditApp::InitInstance()
{
//TODO: call AfxInitRichEdit2() to initialize richedit2 library.
// InitCommonControlsEx() is required on Windows XP if an application
// manifest specifies use of ComCtl32.dll version 6 or later to enable
// visual styles. Otherwise, any window creation will fail.
INITCOMMONCONTROLSEX InitCtrls;
InitCtrls.dwSize = sizeof(InitCtrls);
// Set this to include all the common control classes you want to use
// in your application.
InitCtrls.dwICC = ICC_WIN95_CLASSES;
InitCommonControlsEx(&InitCtrls);

::AfxInitRichEdit2();

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CWinApp::InitInstance();

AfxEnableControlContainer();

// Create the shell manager, in case the dialog contains

// any shell tree view or shell list view controls.
CShellManager *pShellManager = new CShellManager;

// Activate "Windows Native" visual manager for enabling themes in MFC

controls
CMFCVisualManager::SetDefaultManager(RUNTIME_CLASS(CMFCVisualManagerWindow
s));

// Standard initialization
// If you are not using these features and wish to reduce the size
// of your final executable, you should remove from the following
// the specific initialization routines you do not need
// Change the registry key under which our settings are stored
// TODO: You should modify this string to be something appropriate
// such as the name of your company or organization
SetRegistryKey(_T("Local AppWizard-Generated Applications"));

CMFCRichEditDlg dlg;
m_pMainWnd = &dlg;
INT_PTR nResponse = dlg.DoModal();
if (nResponse == IDOK)
{
// TODO: Place code here to handle when the dialog is
// dismissed with OK
}
else if (nResponse == IDCANCEL)
{
// TODO: Place code here to handle when the dialog is
// dismissed with Cancel
}
else if (nResponse == -1)
{

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TRACE(traceAppMsg, 0, "Warning: dialog creation failed, so

application is terminating unexpectedly.\n");
TRACE(traceAppMsg, 0, "Warning: if you are using MFC controls on
the dialog, you cannot #define _AFX_NO_MFC_CONTROLS_IN_DIALOGS.\n");
}

// Delete the shell manager created above.

if (pShellManager != NULL)
{
delete pShellManager;
}

// Since the dialog has been closed, return FALSE so that we exit the
// application, rather than start the application's message pump.
return FALSE;
}

Step 6: Add the Click event handler for all the three buttons. Here is the implementation
for these events.

void CMFCRichEditDlg::OnBnClickedButtonBold()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
CHARFORMAT Cfm;

m_richEdit.GetSelectionCharFormat(Cfm);

Cfm.cbSize = sizeof(CHARFORMAT);
Cfm.dwMask = CFM_BOLD;
Cfm.dwEffects ^= CFE_BOLD;

m_richEdit.SetSelectionCharFormat(Cfm);
m_richEdit.SetFocus();
}

void CMFCRichEditDlg::OnBnClickedButtonItalic()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here

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CHARFORMAT Cfm;

m_richEdit.GetSelectionCharFormat(Cfm);

Cfm.cbSize = sizeof(CHARFORMAT);
Cfm.dwMask = CFM_ITALIC;
Cfm.dwEffects ^= CFE_ITALIC;

m_richEdit.SetSelectionCharFormat(Cfm);
m_richEdit.SetFocus();
}

void CMFCRichEditDlg::OnBnClickedButtonUnderline()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
CHARFORMAT Cfm;

m_richEdit.GetSelectionCharFormat(Cfm);

Cfm.cbSize = sizeof(CHARFORMAT);
Cfm.dwMask = CFM_UNDERLINE;
Cfm.dwEffects ^= CFE_UNDERLINE;

m_richEdit.SetSelectionCharFormat(Cfm);
m_richEdit.SetFocus();
}

Step 7: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.
Now enter text and change its formatting by selecting the text and then click on any of
the three buttons.

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Group Box
A group box is a static control used to set a visible or programmatic group of controls.
The control is a rectangle that groups other controls together. The controls are grouped
by drawing a border around them and displaying the given text in the upper-left corner.

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In the following dialog box, the Group box contains three radio buttons inside.

Spin Button
A Spin Button Control (also known as an up-down control) is a pair of arrow buttons that
the user can click to increment or decrement a value, such as a scroll position or a number
displayed in a companion control. it is represented by CSpinButtonCtrl class.

Here is the list of methods in CSpinButtonCtrl class:

Name Description
Creates a spin button control and attaches it to a
Create
CSpinButtonCtrl object.
Creates a spin button control with the specified Windows
CreateEx
extended styles and attaches it to a CSpinButtonCtrl object.
GetAccel Retrieves acceleration information for a spin button control.
GetBase Retrieves the current base for a spin button control.
GetBuddy Retrieves a pointer to the current buddy window.
GetPos Retrieves the current position of a spin button control.
Retrieves the upper and lower limits (range) for a spin button
GetRange
control.
SetAccel Sets the acceleration for a spin button control.
SetBase Sets the base for a spin button control.
SetBuddy Sets the buddy window for a spin button control.
SetPos Sets the current position for the control.
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SetRange Sets the upper and lower limits (range) for a spin button control.

Here is the list of messages mapping for Spin Button control.

Message Map entry Description

BN_CLICKED ON_BN_CLICKED( <id>, The framework calls this
<memberFxn> ) member function when the
button is clicked.
BN_DISABLE ON_BN_DISABLE( <id>, The framework calls this
<memberFxn> ) member function when the
button is disabled.
BN_DOUBLECLICKED ON_BN_DOUBLECLICKED( <id>, The framework calls this
<memberFxn> ) member function when the
button is double clicked.
BN_PAINT ON_BN_PAINT( <id>, The framework calls this
<memberFxn> ) member function when an
application makes a request
to repaint a button.

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Let us look into a simple example of Spin button by creating a new MFC dialog based
application.

Step 1: Add one Spin Control and one Edit control from the Toolbox.

Step 2: Go to the Properties of Spin Control and set the values of Auto Buddy and Set
Buddy Integer to True.

Managing the Updown Control

Step 1: Add a control variable m_spinControl for spin control with the settings as shown
in the following snapshot.

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Step 2: Add the control variable m_editControl for Edit control.

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Step 3: Add the event handler for UDN_DELTAPOS event for the spin button.

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Step 4: Update the OnInitDialog() as shown in the following code.

BOOL CMFCSpinButtonDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon
// TODO: Add extra initialization here
m_spinControl.SetRange(0, 100);
m_spinControl.SetPos(50);
m_editControl.SetWindowText(L"50");
return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

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Step 5: Here is the implementation of spin control event.

void CMFCSpinButtonDlg::OnDeltaposSpin1(NMHDR *pNMHDR, LRESULT *pResult)

{
LPNMUPDOWN pNMUpDown = reinterpret_cast<LPNMUPDOWN>(pNMHDR);
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
// Declare a pointer to a CSpinButtonCtrl;
CSpinButtonCtrl *Spinner;
// Get a pointer to our spin button
Spinner = reinterpret_cast<CSpinButtonCtrl *>(GetDlgItem(IDC_SPIN1));
// Found out if it is our spin button that sent the message
// This conditional statement appears useless but so what?
if (pNMHDR->hwndFrom == Spinner->m_hWnd)
{
// Get the current value of the spin button
int CurPos = pNMUpDown->iPos;
// Convert the value to a string

CString str;
str.Format(L"%d", CurPos);
// Display the value into the accompanying edit box
m_editControl.SetWindowText(str);
}
*pResult = 0;
}

Step 6: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

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Progress Control
A progress bar control is a window that an application can use to indicate the progress
of a lengthy operation. It consists of a rectangle that is gradually filled, from left to right,
with the system highlight color as an operation progresses. It is represented by
CProgressCtrl class.

Here is the list of methods in CProgressCtrl class:

Name Description
Create Creates a progress bar control and attaches it to a
CProgressCtrl object.
CreateEx Creates a progress control with the specified Windows
extended styles and attaches it to a CProgressCtrl object.
GetBarColor Gets the color of the progress indicator bar for the current
progress bar control.
GetBkColor Gets the background color of the current progress bar.
GetPos Gets the current position of the progress bar.
GetRange Gets the lower and upper limits of the range of the progress
bar control.
GetState Gets the state of the current progress bar control.
GetStep Retrieves the step increment for the progress bar of the
current progress bar control.

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OffsetPos Advances the current position of a progress bar control by

a specified increment and redraws the bar to reflect the
new position.
SetBarColor Sets the color of the progress indicator bar in the current
progress bar control.
SetBkColor Sets the background color for the progress bar.
SetMarquee Turns marquee mode on or off for the current progress bar
control.
SetPos Sets the current position for a progress bar control and
redraws the bar to reflect the new position.
SetRange Sets the minimum and maximum ranges for a progress bar
control and redraws the bar to reflect the new ranges.
SetState Sets the state of the current progress bar control.
SetStep Specifies the step increment for a progress bar control.
StepIt Advances the current position for a progress bar control by
the step increment (see SetStep) and redraws the bar to
reflect the new position.

Let us create a new MFC application.

Step 1: Change the ID of the Text control to and remove the caption.

Step 2: Drag Progress Control from the Toolbox.

Step 3: Add value variable for Static Text control.

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Step 4: Add control variable for the Progress control.

Step 5: Here is the implementation in OnInitDialog()

BOOL CMFCProgressControlDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Add "About..." menu item to system menu.

// IDM_ABOUTBOX must be in the system command range.

ASSERT((IDM_ABOUTBOX & 0xFFF0) == IDM_ABOUTBOX);
ASSERT(IDM_ABOUTBOX < 0xF000);

CMenu* pSysMenu = GetSystemMenu(FALSE);

if (pSysMenu != NULL)
{
BOOL bNameValid;
CString strAboutMenu;
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bNameValid = strAboutMenu.LoadString(IDS_ABOUTBOX);
ASSERT(bNameValid);
if (!strAboutMenu.IsEmpty())
{
pSysMenu->AppendMenu(MF_SEPARATOR);
pSysMenu->AppendMenu(MF_STRING, IDM_ABOUTBOX, strAboutMenu);
}
}

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

m_progCtrl.SetRange(0,100);

for (int i = 0; i <= 100; i++)

{
m_progCtrl.SetPos(i);
}

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

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Step 6: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Progress Bars
Besides the Progress control, Visual C++ provides two other progress-oriented controls:

 The Microsoft Progress Control Version 5.0

 The Microsoft Progress Control Version 6.0

The main difference is in their ability to assume one or two orientations.

Let us look into a simple example.

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Step 1: Right-click on the dialog in the designer window.

Step 2: Select Insert ActiveX Control.

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Step 3: Select the Microsoft ProgressBar Control 6.0 and click OK.

Step 4: Select the progress bar and set its Orientation in the Properties Window to 1 –
ccOrientationVertical.

Step 5: Add control variable for Progress bar.

Step 6: Add the following code in the OnInitDialog()

m_progBarCtrl.SetScrollRange(0,100,TRUE);
m_progBarCtrl.put_Value(53);

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Step 7: Run this application again and you will see the progress bar in Vertical direction
as well.

Timer
A timer is a non-spatial object that uses recurring lapses of time from a computer or from
your application. To work, every lapse of period, the control sends a message to the
operating system. Unlike most other controls, the MFC timer has neither a button to
represent it nor a class. To create a timer, you simply call the CWnd::SetTimer() method.
This function call creates a timer for your application. Like the other controls, a timer uses
an identifier.

Let us create a new MFC dialog based application.

Step 1: Remove the Caption and set its ID to IDC_STATIC_TXT.

Step 2: Add the value variable for text control.

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Step 3: Go to the class view in solution.

Step 4: Click the CMFCTimeDlg class.

Step 5: In the Properties window, click the Messages button.

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Step 6: Click the WM_TIMER field and click the arrow of its combo box. Select <Add>
OnTimer and implement the event.

void CMFCTimerDlg::OnTimer(UINT_PTR nIDEvent)

{
// TODO: Add your message handler code here and/or call default
CTime CurrentTime = CTime::GetCurrentTime();

int iHours = CurrentTime.GetHour();

int iMinutes = CurrentTime.GetMinute();
int iSeconds = CurrentTime.GetSecond();
CString strHours, strMinutes, strSeconds;

if (iHours < 10)

strHours.Format(_T("0%d"), iHours);
else
strHours.Format(_T("%d"), iHours);

if (iMinutes < 10)

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strMinutes.Format(_T("0%d"), iMinutes);
else
strMinutes.Format(_T("%d"), iMinutes);

if (iSeconds < 10)

strSeconds.Format(_T("0%d"), iSeconds);
else
strSeconds.Format(_T("%d"), iSeconds);

m_strTimer.Format(_T("%s:%s:%s"), strHours, strMinutes, strSeconds);

UpdateData(FALSE);
CDialogEx::OnTimer(nIDEvent);
}

Step 7: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

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Date & Time Picker

The date and time picker control (CDateTimeCtrl) implements an intuitive and
recognizable method of entering or selecting a specific date. The main interface of the
control is similar in functionality to a combo box. However, if the user expands the control,
a month calendar control appears (by default), allowing the user to specify a particular
date. When a date is chosen, the month calendar control automatically disappears.

Here is the list of methods in CDateTimeCtrl class:

Name Description
Closes the current date and time
CloseMonthCal
picker control.
Creates the date and time picker
Create control and attaches it to the
CDateTimeCtrl object.
Retrieves information about the
GetDateTimePickerInfo current date and time picker
control.
Returns the ideal size of the date
and time picker control that is
GetIdealSize
required to display the current
date or time.
Retrieves the color for a given
portion of the month calendar
GetMonthCalColor
within the date and time picker
control.
Retrieves the CMonthCalCtrl
GetMonthCalCtrl object associated with the date
and time picker control.
Retrieves the font currently used
by the date and time picker
GetMonthCalFont
control's child month calendar
control.
Gets the style of the current date
GetMonthCalStyle
and time picker control.
Retrieves the current minimum
and maximum allowed system
GetRange
times for a date and time picker
control.
Retrieves the currently selected
time from a date and time picker
GetTime
control and puts it in a specified
SYSTEMTIME structure.
Sets the display of a date and
SetFormat time picker control in accordance
with a given format string.
Sets the color for a given portion
SetMonthCalColor of the month calendar within a
date and time picker control.
Sets the font that the date and
SetMonthCalFont time picker control's child month
calendar control will use.

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Sets the style of the current date

SetMonthCalStyle
and time picker control.
Sets the minimum and maximum
SetRange allowed system times for a date
and time picker control.
Sets the time in a date and time
SetTime
picker control.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new MFC application.

Step 1: Remove the Caption and set its ID to IDC_STATIC_TXT.

Step 2: Add the value variable for text control.

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Step 3: Drag the Date Time Picker control.

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Step 4: Add a control variable for Date Time Picker.

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Step 5: Add the Event handler for Date Time Picker.

Step 6: Here is the implementation of event handler.

void CMFCDateAndTimePickerDlg::OnDtnDatetimechangeDatetimepicker1(NMHDR
*pNMHDR, LRESULT *pResult)
{ LPNMDATETIMECHANGE pDTChange =
reinterpret_cast<LPNMDATETIMECHANGE>(pNMHDR);
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here

GetDlgItemText(IDC_DATETIMEPICKER1, m_strValue);
UpdateData(FALSE);
*pResult = 0;
}

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Step 7: When you run the above application, you see the following output. Select any
date, it will display on the Static Text Control.

Picture
If you need to display a picture for your application, Visual C++ provides a special control
for that purpose.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new MFC dialog based application.

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Step 1: Right-click on the dialog in the designer window and select Insert ActiveX Control.

Step 2: Select the Microsoft Picture Click Control and click OK.

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Step 3: Resize the Picture control and in the Properties window, click the Picture field.

Step 4: Browse the folder that contains Pictures. Select any picture.

Step 5: Run this application and you will see the following output.

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Image Editor
The Image editor has an extensive set of tools for creating and editing images, as well
as features to help you create toolbar bitmaps. In addition to bitmaps, icons, and cursors,
you can edit images in GIF or JPEG format using commands on the Image menu and tools
on the Image Editor Toolbar.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new project.

Step 1: Add a Bitmap from Add Resource dialog box.

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Step 2: Select Bitmap and click New. It will open the Image editor.

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Step 3: Design your bitmap image in Image editor and change its ID to
IDB_BITMAP_START as shown above.

Step 4: Add a button to your dialog box and also add a control Variable m_buttonStart
for that button.

Step 5: Add a bitmap variable to your header file. You will now see the following two
variables.

CBitmap m_bitmapStart;
CButton m_buttonStart;

Step 6: Modify your OnInitDialog() method as shown in the following code.

m_bitmapStart.LoadBitmap(IDB_BITMAP_START);
HBITMAP hBitmap = (HBITMAP)m_bitmapStart.GetSafeHandle();
m_buttonStart.SetBitmap(hBitmap);

Step 7: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

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Slider Controls
A Slider Control (also known as a trackbar) is a window containing a slider and optional
tick marks. When the user moves the slider, using either the mouse or the direction keys,
the control sends notification messages to indicate the change. There are two types of
sliders — horizontal and vertical. It is represented by CSliderCtrl class.

Here is the list of methods in CSliderCtrl class:

Name Description
ClearSel Clears the current selection in a slider control.
ClearTics Removes the current tick marks from a slider
control.
Create Creates a slider control and attaches it to a
CSliderCtrl object.
CreateEx Creates a slider control with the specified
Windows extended styles and attaches it to a
CSliderCtrl object.
GetBuddy Retrieves the handle to a slider control buddy
window at a given location.
GetChannelRect Retrieves the size of the slider control's
channel.
GetLineSize Retrieves the line size of a slider control.
GetNumTics Retrieves the number of tick marks in a slider
control.

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GetPageSize Retrieves the page size of a slider control.

GetPos Retrieves the current position of the slider.
GetRange Retrieves the minimum and maximum positions
for a slider.
GetRangeMax Retrieves the maximum position for a slider.
GetRangeMin Retrieves the minimum position for a slider.
GetSelection Retrieves the range of the current selection.
GetThumbLength Retrieves the length of the slider in the current
trackbar control.
GetThumbRect Retrieves the size of the slider control's thumb.
GetTic Retrieves the position of the specified tick
mark.
GetTicArray Retrieves the array of tick mark positions for a
slider control.
GetTicPos Retrieves the position of the specified tick
mark, in client coordinates.
GetToolTips Retrieves the handle to the tooltip control
assigned to the slider control, if any.
SetBuddy Assigns a window as the buddy window for a
slider control.
SetLineSize Sets the line size of a slider control.
SetPageSize Sets the page size of a slider control.
SetPos Sets the current position of the slider.
SetRange Sets the minimum and maximum positions for
a slider.
SetRangeMax Sets the maximum position for a slider.
SetRangeMin Sets the minimum position for a slider.
SetSelection Sets the range of the current selection.
SetThumbLength Sets the length of the slider in the current
trackbar control.
SetTic Sets the position of the specified tick mark.
SetTicFreq Sets the frequency of tick marks per slider
control increment.
SetTipSide Positions a tooltip control used by a trackbar
control.
SetToolTips Assigns a tooltip control to a slider control.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new MFC dialog based project.

Step 1: Once the project is created you will see the TODO line which is the Caption of Text
Control. Remove the Caption and set its ID to IDC_STATIC_TXT.

Step 2: Add a value variable m_strSliderVal for the Static Text control.

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Step 3: Drag the slider control from the Toolbox.

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Step 4: Add a control variable m_sliderCtrl for slider.

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Step 5: Go to the class view in solution.

Step 6: Select the CMFCSliderControlDlg class.

Step 7: In the Properties window, click Messages.

Step 8: Scroll down to "WM_HSCROLL" and click on the drop-down menu. Click "<Add>
OnHScroll".

Step 9: Initialize the Slider and Static Text control inside the OnInitDialog() function.

BOOL CMFCSliderControlDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

m_sliderCtrl.SetRange(0, 100, TRUE);
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m_sliderCtrl.SetPos(0);
m_strSliderVal.Format(_T("%d"), 0);

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

Step 10: Add the following code inside the function code block for OnVScroll()

void CMFCSliderControlDlg::OnHScroll(UINT nSBCode, UINT nPos, CScrollBar*

pScrollBar)
{
// TODO: Add your message handler code here and/or call default
if (pScrollBar == (CScrollBar *)&m_sliderCtrl)
{
int value = m_sliderCtrl.GetPos();
m_strSliderVal.Format(_T("%d"), value);
UpdateData(FALSE);
}
else {
CDialog::OnHScroll(nSBCode, nPos, pScrollBar);
}
}

Step 11: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

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Scrollbars
A scrollbar is a graphical control element with which continuous text, pictures or anything
else can be scrolled in two directions along a control by clicking an arrow. This control can
assume one of two directions — horizontal or vertical. It is represented by CScrollBar
class.

Here is the list of methods in CScrollBar class:

Name Description
Create Creates the Windows scroll bar and attaches it to
the CScrollBar object.
EnableScrollBar Enables or disables one or both arrows of a scroll
bar.
GetScrollBarInfo Retrieves information about the scroll bar using
a SCROLLBARINFO structure.
GetScrollInfo Retrieves information about the scroll bar.
GetScrollLimit Retrieves the limit of the scroll bar
GetScrollPos Retrieves the current position of a scroll box.
GetScrollRange Retrieves the current minimum and maximum
scroll-bar positions for the given scroll bar.
SetScrollInfo Sets information about the scroll bar.
SetScrollPos Sets the current position of a scroll box.
SetScrollRange Sets minimum and maximum position values for
the given scroll bar.
ShowScrollBar Shows or hides a scroll bar.

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Let us look into a simple example of Scrollbar.

Step 1: To add either horizontal or vertical scrollbar, you need to set the following
highlighted properties of the dialog box to True.

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Step 2: When you run the above application, you will see that both horizontal and vertical
scrollbars have been added.

Tree Control
A Tree View Control is a window that displays a hierarchical list of items, such as the
headings in a document, the entries in an index, or the files and directories on a disk. Each
item consists of a label and an optional bitmapped image, and each item can have a list
of subitems associated with it. By clicking an item, the user can expand and collapse the
associated list of subitems. It is represented by CTreeCtrl class.

Here is the list of methods in CTreeCtrl class:

Name Description
Create Creates a tree view control and attaches it to a
CTreeCtrl object.
CreateDragIm Creates a dragging bitmap for the specified tree view
age item.
CreateEx Creates a tree control with the specified Windows
extended styles and attaches it to a CTreeCtrl object.
DeleteAllItem Deletes all items in a tree view control.
s
DeleteItem Deletes a new item in a tree view control.
EditLabel Edits a specified tree view item in-place.

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EndEditLabelN Cancels the edit operation on the label of a tree-view

ow item in the current tree-view control.
EnsureVisible Ensures that a tree view item is visible in its tree view
control.
Expand Expands, or collapses, the child items of the specified
tree view item.
GetBkColor Retrieves the current background color of the control.
GetCheck Retrieves the check state of a tree control item.
GetChildItem Retrieves the child of a specified tree view item.
GetCount Retrieves the number of tree items associated with a
tree view control.
GetDropHiligh Retrieves the target of a drag-and-drop operation.
tItem
GetEditControl Retrieves the handle of the edit control used to edit the
specified tree view item.
GetExtendedS Retrieves the extended styles that the current tree-
tyle view control is using.
GetFirstVisible Retrieves the first visible item of the specified tree view
Item item.
GetImageList Retrieves the handle of the image list associated with
a tree view control.
GetIndent Retrieves the offset (in pixels) of a tree view item from
its parent.
GetInsertMark Retrieves the color used to draw the insertion mark for
Color the tree view.
GetItem Retrieves the attributes of a specified tree view item.
GetItemData Returns the 32-bit application-specific value associated
with an item.
GetItemExpan Retrieves the index of the image to display when the
dedImageInd specified item of the current tree-view control is in the
ex expanded state.
GetItemHeigh Retrieves the current height of the tree view items.
t
GetItemImag Retrieves the images associated with an item.
e
GetItemPartR Retrieves the bounding rectangle for a specified part of
ect a specified item in the current tree-view control.
GetItemRect Retrieves the bounding rectangle of a tree view item.
GetItemState Returns the state of an item.
GetItemState Retrieves the extended state of the specified item in
Ex the current tree-view control.
GetItemText Returns the text of an item.
GetLastVisible Retrieves the last expanded item in the current tree-
Item view control.
GetLineColor Retrieves the current line color for the tree view
control.
GetNextItem Retrieves the next tree view item that matches a
specified relationship.
GetNextSiblin Retrieves the next sibling of the specified tree view
gItem item.
GetNextVisibl Retrieves the next visible item of the specified tree
eItem view item.

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GetParentIte Retrieves the parent of the specified tree view item.

m
GetPrevSiblin Retrieves the previous sibling of the specified tree view
gItem item.
GetPrevVisible Retrieves the previous visible item of the specified tree
Item view item.
GetRootItem Retrieves the root of the specified tree view item.
GetScrollTime Retrieves the maximum scroll time for the tree view
control.
GetSelectedCo Retrieves the number of selected items in the current
unt tree-view control.
GetSelectedIt Retrieves the currently selected tree view item.
em
GetTextColor Retrieves the current text color of the control.
GetToolTips Retrieves the handle to the child ToolTip control used
by a tree view control.
GetVisibleCou Retrieves the number of visible tree items associated
nt with a tree view control.
HitTest Returns the current position of the cursor related to the
CTreeCtrl object.
InsertItem Inserts a new item in a tree view control.
ItemHasChildr Returns nonzero if the specified item has child items.
en
MapAccIdToIt Maps the specified accessibility identifier to the handle
em to a tree-view item in the current tree-view control.
MapItemToAc Maps the specified handle to a tree-view item in the
cID current tree-view control to an accessibility identifier.
Select Selects, scrolls into view, or redraws a specified tree
view item.
SelectDropTar Redraws the tree item as the target of a drag-and-drop
get operation.
SelectItem Selects a specified tree view item.
SelectSetFirst Selects a specified tree view item as the first visible
Visible item.
SetAutoscrollI Sets the autoscroll rate of the current tree-view
nfo control.
SetBkColor Sets the background color of the control.
SetCheck Sets the check state of a tree control item.
SetExtendedS Sets the extended styles for the current tree-view
tyle control.
SetImageList Sets the handle of the image list associated with a tree
view control.
SetIndent Sets the offset (in pixels) of a tree view item from its
parent.
SetInsertMark Sets the insertion mark in a tree view control.
SetInsertMark Sets the color used to draw the insertion mark for the
Color tree view.
SetItem Sets the attributes of a specified tree view item.
SetItemData Sets the 32-bit application-specific value associated
with an item.
SetItemExpan Sets the index of the image to display when the
dedImageInd specified item of the current tree-view control is in the
ex expanded state.

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SetItemHeigh Sets the height of the tree view items.

t
SetItemImage Associates images with an item.
SetItemState Sets the state of an item.
SetItemStateE Sets the extended state of the specified item in the
x current tree-view control.
SetItemText Sets the text of an item.
SetLineColor Sets the current line color for the tree view control.
SetScrollTime Sets the maximum scroll time for the tree view control.
SetTextColor Sets the text color of the control.
SetToolTips Sets a tree view control's child ToolTip control.
ShowInfoTip Displays the infotip for the specified item in the current
tree-view control.
SortChildren Sorts the children of a given parent item.
SortChildrenC Sorts the children of a given parent item using an
B application-defined sort function.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new MFC dialog based project.

Step 1: Once the project is created you will see the TODO line, which is the Caption of
Text Control. Remove the Caption and set its ID to IDC_STATIC_TXT.

Step 2: Add a value variable m_strTree for the Static Text control.

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Step 3: From the Controls toolbox, drag the Tree Control.

Step 4: On the dialog box, click the Tree Control to select it. On the Properties window,
set the Has Buttons, the Has Lines, the Lines At Root, the Client Edge and the Modal Frame
properties to True.

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Step 5: Add a control variable m_treeCtrl for Tee Control.

Step 6: Here is initialization of tree control in OnInitDialog()

BOOL CMFCTreeControlDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

HTREEITEM hItem, hCar;
hItem = m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"Car Listing", TVI_ROOT);
hCar = m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"Economy", hItem);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"BH-733", hCar);

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m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"SD-397", hCar);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"JU-538", hCar);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"DI-285", hCar);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"AK-830", hCar);
hCar = m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"Compact", hItem);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"HG-490", hCar);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"PE-473", hCar);
hCar = m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"Standard", hItem);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"SO-398", hCar);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"DF-438", hCar);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"IS-833", hCar);
hCar = m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"Full Size", hItem);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"PD-304", hCar);
hCar = m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"Mini Van", hItem);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"ID-497", hCar);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"RU-304", hCar);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"DK-905", hCar);
hCar = m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"SUV", hItem);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"FE-948", hCar);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"AD-940", hCar);
hCar = m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"Truck", hItem);
m_treeCtrl.InsertItem(L"HD-394", hCar);

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 7: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

List Control
Encapsulates the functionality of a List View Control, which displays a collection of items
each consisting of an icon (from an image list) and a label. It is represented by CListCtrl
class. A list control consists of using one of four views to display a list of items.

 Icons
 Small Icons
 List
 Report

Here is the list of methods in CListCtrl class.

Name Description
Determines the width and height required to display
ApproximateViewRect
the items of a list view control.
Arrange Aligns items on a grid.
CancelEditLabel Cancels item text editing operation.
Creates a list control and attaches it to a CListCtrl
Create
object.
CreateDragImage Creates a drag image list for a specified item.
Creates a list control with the specified Windows
CreateEx
extended styles and attaches it to a CListCtrl object.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

DeleteAllItems Deletes all items from the control.

DeleteColumn Deletes a column from the list view control.
DeleteItem Deletes an item from the control.
Called when a visual aspect of an owner-draw
DrawItem
control changes.
EditLabel Begins in-place editing of an item's text.
Enables or disables whether the items in a list view
EnableGroupView
control display as a group.
EnsureVisible Ensures that an item is visible.
Searches for a list view item having specified
FindItem
characteristics.
GetBkColor Retrieves the background color of a list view control.
Retrieves the current background image of a list
GetBkImage
view control.
GetCallbackMask Retrieves the callback mask for a list view control.
Retrieves the current display status of the state
GetCheck
image associated with an item.
GetColumn Retrieves the attributes of a control's column.
Retrieves the column order (left to right) of a list
GetColumnOrderArray
view control.
Retrieves the width of a column in report view or list
GetColumnWidth
view.
Calculates the number of items that can fit vertically
GetCountPerPage
in a list view control.
Retrieves the handle of the edit control used to edit
GetEditControl
an item's text.
Retrieves the string to display if the current list-view
GetEmptyText
control is empty.
Retrieves the current extended styles of a list view
GetExtendedStyle
control.
Retrieves the position of the first selected list view
GetFirstSelectedItemPosition
item in a list view control.
Retrieves the group that has the keyboard focus in
GetFocusedGroup
the current list-view control.
Retrieves the number of groups in the current list-
GetGroupCount
view control.
Gets the information for a specified group of the list
GetGroupInfo
view control.
Retrieves information about a specified group in the
GetGroupInfoByIndex
current list-view control.
GetGroupMetrics Retrieves the metrics of a group.
Retrieves the bounding rectangle for a specified
GetGroupRect
group in the current list-view control.
Retrieves the state for a specified group in the
GetGroupState
current list-view control.
GetHeaderCtrl Retrieves the header control of a list view control.
Retrieves the cursor used when hot tracking is
GetHotCursor
enabled for a list view control.
Retrieves the list view item currently under the
GetHotItem
cursor.
Retrieves the current hover time of a list view
GetHoverTime
control.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Retrieves the handle of an image list used for

GetImageList
drawing list view items.
GetInsertMark Retrieves the current position of the insertion mark.
GetInsertMarkColor Retrieves the current color of the insertion mark.
Retrieves the rectangle that bounds the insertion
GetInsertMarkRect
point.
GetItem Retrieves a list view item's attributes.
GetItemCount Retrieves the number of items in a list view control.
Retrieves the application-specific value associated
GetItemData
with an item.
Retrieves the bounding rectangle for all or part of a
GetItemIndexRect
subitem in the current list-view control.
GetItemPosition Retrieves the position of a list view item.
GetItemRect Retrieves the bounding rectangle for an item.
Calculates the spacing between items in the current
GetItemSpacing
list-view control.
GetItemState Retrieves the state of a list view item.
GetItemText Retrieves the text of a list view item or subitem.
Searches for a list view item with specified properties
GetNextItem
and with specified relationship to a given item.
Retrieves the index of the item in the current list-
GetNextItemIndex
view control that has a specified set of properties.
Retrieves the index of a list view item position, and
GetNextSelectedItem the position of the next selected list view item for
iterating.
Retrieves the current number of working areas for a
GetNumberOfWorkAreas
list view control.
Retrieves the current view origin for a list view
GetOrigin
control.
Retrieves the color of the border of a list view
GetOutlineColor
control.
Retrieves the index of the currently selected column
GetSelectedColumn
in the list control.
Retrieves the number of selected items in the list
GetSelectedCount
view control.
GetSelectionMark Retrieves the selection mark of a list view control.
Determines the minimum column width necessary to
GetStringWidth
display all of a given string.
Retrieves the bounding rectangle of an item in a list
GetSubItemRect
view control.
Retrieves the text background color of a list view
GetTextBkColor
control.
GetTextColor Retrieves the text color of a list view control.
Retrieves information about a tile in a list view
GetTileInfo
control.
Retrieves information about a list view control in tile
GetTileViewInfo
view.
Retrieves the tooltip control that the list view control
GetToolTips
uses to display tooltips.
GetTopIndex Retrieves the index of the topmost visible item.
GetView Gets the view of the list view control.
Retrieves the bounding rectangle of all items in the
GetViewRect
list view control.

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Retrieves the current working areas of a list view

GetWorkAreas
control.
Determines if the list view control has the specified
HasGroup
group.
Determines which list view item is at a specified
HitTest
position.
InsertColumn Inserts a new column in a list view control.
InsertGroup Inserts a group into the list view control.
Inserts the specified group into an ordered list of
InsertGroupSorted
groups.
InsertItem Inserts a new item in a list view control.
Retrieves the insertion point closest to a specified
InsertMarkHitTest
point.
Determines whether group view is enabled for a list
IsGroupViewEnabled
view control.
Indicates whether a specified item in the current list-
IsItemVisible
view control is visible.
Maps the unique ID of an item in the current list-
MapIDToIndex
view control to an index.
Maps the index of an item in the current list-view
MapIndexToID
control to a unique ID.
MoveGroup Moves the specified group.
Moves the specified group to the specified zero
MoveItemToGroup
based index of the list view control.
RedrawItems Forces a list view control to repaint a range of items.
RemoveAllGroups Removes all groups from a list view control.
Removes the specified group from the list view
RemoveGroup
control.
Scroll Scrolls the content of a list view control.
SetBkColor Sets the background color of the list view control.
Sets the current background image of a list view
SetBkImage
control.
SetCallbackMask Sets the callback mask for a list view control.
Sets the current display status of the state image
SetCheck
associated with an item.
SetColumn Sets the attributes of a list view column.
Sets the column order (left to right) of a list view
SetColumnOrderArray
control.
Changes the width of a column in report view or list
SetColumnWidth
view.
Sets the current extended styles of a list view
SetExtendedStyle
control.
Sets the information for the specified group of a list
SetGroupInfo
view control.
SetGroupMetrics Sets the group metrics of a list view control.
Sets the cursor used when hot tracking is enabled
SetHotCursor
for a list view control.
SetHotItem Sets the current hot item of a list view control.
SetHoverTime Sets the current hover time of a list view control.
SetIconSpacing Sets the spacing between icons in a list view control.
SetImageList Assigns an image list to a list view control.
SetInfoTip Sets the tooltip text.
SetInsertMark Sets the insertion point to the defined position.

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SetInsertMarkColor Sets the color of the insertion point.

SetItem Sets some or all of a list view item's attributes.
Prepares a list view control for adding a large
SetItemCount
number of items.
SetItemCountEx Sets the item count for a virtual list view control.
SetItemData Sets the item's application-specific value.
Sets the state of an item in the current list-view
SetItemIndexState
control.
Moves an item to a specified position in a list view
SetItemPosition
control.
SetItemState Changes the state of an item in a list view control.
SetItemText Changes the text of a list view item or subitem.
SetOutlineColor Sets the color of the border of a list view control.
SetSelectedColumn Sets the selected column of the list view control.
SetSelectionMark Sets the selection mark of a list view control.
Sets the background color of text in a list view
SetTextBkColor
control.
SetTextColor Sets the text color of a list view control.
SetTileInfo Sets the information for a tile of the list view control.
Sets information that a list view control uses in tile
SetTileViewInfo
view.
Sets the tooltip control that the list view control will
SetToolTips
use to display tooltips.
SetView Sets the view of the list view control.
Sets the area where icons can be displayed in a list
SetWorkAreas
view control.
Sorts the groups of a list view control with a user-
SortGroups
defined function.
Sorts list view items using an application-defined
SortItems
comparison function.
Sorts list view items using an application-defined
SortItemsEx
comparison function.
Determines which list view item, if any, is at a given
SubItemHitTest
position.
Update Forces the control to repaint a specified item.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new MFC dialog based application.

Step 1: Delete the TODO line and drag one List Control.

Step 2: In the Properties Window, you will see the different options in View dropdown list.

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Step 3: Select the Report from the View field.

Step 4: Add control variable m_listCtrl for List Control.

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Step 5: Initialize the List Control in OnInitDialog()

BOOL CMFCListControlDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

// Ask Mfc to create/insert a column
m_listCtrl.InsertColumn(
0, // Rank/order of item
L"ID", // Caption for this header
LVCFMT_LEFT, // Relative position of items under header
100); // Width of items under header
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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

m_listCtrl.InsertColumn(1, L"Name", LVCFMT_CENTER, 80);

m_listCtrl.InsertColumn(2, L"Age", LVCFMT_LEFT, 100);
m_listCtrl.InsertColumn(3, L"Address", LVCFMT_LEFT, 80);

int nItem;

nItem = m_listCtrl.InsertItem(0, L"1");

m_listCtrl.SetItemText(nItem, 1, L"Mark");
m_listCtrl.SetItemText(nItem, 2, L"45");
m_listCtrl.SetItemText(nItem, 3, L"Address 1");

nItem = m_listCtrl.InsertItem(0, L"2");

m_listCtrl.SetItemText(nItem, 1, L"Allan");
m_listCtrl.SetItemText(nItem, 2, L"29");
m_listCtrl.SetItemText(nItem, 3, L"Address 2");

nItem = m_listCtrl.InsertItem(0, L"3");

m_listCtrl.SetItemText(nItem, 1, L"Ajay");
m_listCtrl.SetItemText(nItem, 2, L"37");
m_listCtrl.SetItemText(nItem, 3, L"Address 3");

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

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Step 6: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

253
 12. MFC - Messages and Events Microsoft Foundation Classes

An application is made of various objects. Most of the time, more than one application is
running on the computer and the operating system is constantly asked to perform some
assignments. Because there can be so many requests presented unpredictably, the
operating system leaves it up to the objects to specify what they want, when they want
it, and what behavior or result they expect.

Overview
 The Microsoft Windows operating system cannot predict what kinds of requests
one object would need to be taken care of and what type of assignment another
object would need.

 To manage all these assignments and requests, the objects send messages.

 Each object has the responsibility to decided what message to send and when.

 In order to send a message, a control must create an event.

 To make a distinction between the two, a message's name usually starts with
WM_ which stands for Window Message.

 The name of an event usually starts with On which indicates an action.

 The event is the action of sending the message.

Map of Messages
Since Windows is a message-oriented operating system, a large portion of programming
for the Windows environment involves message handling. Each time an event such as a
keystroke or mouse click occurs, a message is sent to the application, which must then
handle the event.

 For the compiler to manage messages, they should be included in the class
definition.
 The DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP macro should be provided at the end of the class
definition as shown in the following code.

class CMainFrame : public CFrameWnd

{public:
CMainFrame();
protected:
DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP()};

254
 Microsoft Foundation Classes

 The actual messages should be listed just above the DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP

line.
 To implement the messages, you need to create a table of messages that your
program is using.
 This table uses two delimiting macros;
 Its starts with a BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP and ends with an
END_MESSAGE_MAP macros.
 The BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP macro takes two arguments, the name of your class
and the MFC class you derived your class from as shown in the following code.

#include <afxwin.h>
class CMainFrame : public CFrameWnd
{
public:
CMainFrame();
protected:
DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP()
};
CMainFrame::CMainFrame()
{
// Create the window's frame
Create(NULL, L"MFC Messages Demo", WS_OVERLAPPEDWINDOW,
CRect(120, 100, 700, 480), NULL);
}
class CMessagesApp : public CWinApp
{
public:
BOOL InitInstance();
};
BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CMainFrame, CFrameWnd)
END_MESSAGE_MAP()
BOOL CMessagesApp::InitInstance()
{
m_pMainWnd = new CMainFrame;
m_pMainWnd->ShowWindow(SW_SHOW);
m_pMainWnd->UpdateWindow();
return TRUE;
}
CMessagesApp theApp;

255
 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new Win32 project.

Step 1: To create an MFC project, right-click on the project and select Properties.

Step 2: In the left section, click Configuration Properties -> General.

Step 3: Select the ‘Use MFC in Shared DLL’ option in Project Defaults section and click
OK.

Step 4: We need to add a new source file.

Step 5: Right-click on your Project and select Add -> New Item.

Step 6: In the Templates section, click C++ File (.cpp).

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 7: Click Add to Continue.

Step 8: Now, add the following code in the *.cpp file.

#include <afxwin.h>
class CMainFrame : public CFrameWnd
{
public:
CMainFrame();
protected:
DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP()
};
CMainFrame::CMainFrame()
{
// Create the window's frame
Create(NULL, L"MFC Messages Demo", WS_OVERLAPPEDWINDOW,
CRect(120, 100, 700, 480), NULL);
}
class CMessagesApp : public CWinApp
{
public:

257
 Microsoft Foundation Classes

BOOL InitInstance();
};
BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CMainFrame, CFrameWnd)
END_MESSAGE_MAP()
BOOL CMessagesApp::InitInstance()
{
m_pMainWnd = new CMainFrame;
m_pMainWnd->ShowWindow(SW_SHOW);
m_pMainWnd->UpdateWindow();
return TRUE;
}
CMessagesApp theApp;

Windows Messages
There are different types of Windows messages like creating a window, showing a window
etc. Here are some of the commonly used windows messages.

Message Map entry Description

The framework calls this member function
WM_ACTIVATE ON_WM_ACTIVATE() when a CWnd object is being activated or
deactivated.
The framework calls this member function to
WM_ACTIVATEA ON_WM_ACTIVATEAPP all top-level windows of the task being
PP () activated and for all top-level windows of the
task being deactivated.
The framework calls this member function
WM_APPCOMM ON_WM_APPCOMMAND
when the user generates an application
AND ()
command event
WM_CANCELMO ON_WM_CANCELMODE The framework calls this member function to
DE () inform CWnd to cancel any internal mode.
If the CWnd object is a multiple document
interface (MDI) child window,
WM_CHILDACTI ON_WM_CHILDACTIVA OnChildActivate is called by the framework
VATE TE() when the user clicks the window's title bar
or when the window is activated, moved, or
sized.
The framework calls this member function
WM_CLIPBOAR ON_WM_CLIPBOARDUP
when the contents of the clipboard have
DUPDATE DATE()
changed.
The framework calls this member function as
WM_CLOSE ON_WM_CLOSE() a signal that the CWnd or an application is to
terminate.
Called by the framework when the user has
WM_CONTEXTM ON_WM_CONTEXTMEN
clicked the right mouse button (right-
ENU U()
clicked) in the window.
258
 Microsoft Foundation Classes

This member function is called by the

WM_COPYDATA ON_WM_COPYDATA() framework to copy data from one application
to another.
The framework calls this member function
when an application requests that the
WM_CREATE ON_WM_CREATE()
Windows window be created by calling the
Create or CreateEx member function.
The framework calls this member function
WM_CTLCOLOR ON_WM_CTLCOLOR()
when a child control is about to be drawn.
The framework calls this member function to
inform the owner of an owner-draw list box
WM_DELETEITE
ON_WM_DELETEITEM() or combo box that the list box or combo box
M
is destroyed or that items have been
removed
he framework calls this member function to
WM_DESTROY ON_WM_DESTROY() inform the CWnd object that it is being
destroyed.
The framework calls this member function
for the owner of an owner-draw button
WM_DRAWITEM ON_WM_DRAWITEM() control, combo-box control, list-box control,
or menu when a visual aspect of the control
or menu has changed.
The framework calls this member function
when the user releases the left mouse
WM_DROPFILES ON_WM_DROPFILES()
button over a window that has registered
itself as the recipient of dropped files.
The framework calls this member function
when an application changes the enabled
WM_ENABLE ON_WM_ENABLE()
state of the CWnd object.
Syntax
Handles F1 Help within the application (using
WM_HELPINFO ON_WM_HELPINFO()
the current context).
The framework calls this member function
WM_HOTKEY ON_WM_HOTKEY() when the user presses a system-wide hot
key.
The framework calls this member function
WM_HSCROLL ON_WM_HSCROLL() when the user clicks a window's horizontal
scroll bar.
The framework calls this member function
WM_KEYDOWN ON_WM_KEYDOWN()
when a nonsystem key is pressed.
The framework calls this member function
WM_KEYUP ON_WM_KEYUP()
when a nonsystem key is released.
The framework calls this member function
WM_KILLFOCUS ON_WM_KILLFOCUS()
immediately before losing the input focus.
The framework calls this member function
WM_LBUTTOND ON_WM_LBUTTONDBL
when the user double-clicks the left mouse
BLCLK CLK()
button.
The framework calls this member function
WM_LBUTTOND ON_WM_LBUTTONDOW
when the user presses the left mouse
OWN N()
button.
The framework calls this member function
WM_LBUTTONU
ON_WM_LBUTTONUP() when the user releases the left mouse
P
button.

259
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The framework calls this member function

WM_MBUTTOND ON_WM_MBUTTONDBL
when the user double-clicks the middle
BLCLK CLK()
mouse button.
The framework calls this member function
WM_MBUTTOND ON_WM_MBUTTONDO
when the user presses the middle mouse
OWN WN()
button.
The framework calls this member function
WM_MBUTTONU
ON_WM_MBUTTONUP() when the user releases the middle mouse
P
button.
If the CWnd object is associated with a
WM_MENUSELE ON_WM_MENUSELECT( menu, OnMenuSelect is called by the
CT ) framework when the user selects a menu
item.
The framework calls this member function
WM_MOUSEACT ON_WM_MOUSEACTIV
when the cursor is in an inactive window and
IVATE ATE()
the user presses a mouse button.
The framework calls this member function
WM_MOUSEHOV ON_WM_MOUSEHOVER when the cursor hovers over the client area
ER () of the window for the period of time specified
in a prior call to TrackMouseEvent.
The framework calls this member when the
WM_MOUSEHW ON_WM_MOUSEHWHE current window is composed by the Desktop
HEEL EL() Window Manager (DWM), and that window is
maximized.
The framework calls this member function
WM_MOUSELEA ON_WM_MOUSELEAVE( when the cursor leaves the client area of the
VE ) window specified in a prior call to
TrackMouseEvent.
WM_MOUSEMO ON_WM_MOUSEMOVE( The framework calls this member function
VE ) when the mouse cursor moves.
The framework calls this member function
WM_MOVE ON_WM_MOVE()
after the CWnd object has been moved.
The framework calls this member function
when Windows or an application makes a
WM_PAINT ON_WM_PAINT()
request to repaint a portion of an
application's window.
WM_SETFOCUS( The framework calls this member function
ON_WM_SETFOCUS( )
) after gaining the input focus.
The framework calls this member function
WM_SIZE( ) ON_WM_SIZE( )
after the window's size has changed.
The framework calls this member function
WM_TIMER ON_WM_TIMER() after each interval specified in the SetTimer
member function used to install a timer.
The framework calls this member function
WM_VSCROLL ON_WM_VSCROLL() when the user clicks the window's vertical
scroll bar.
The framework calls this member function
when the size, position, or Z-order has
WM_WINDOWP ON_WM_WINDOWPOS
changed as a result of a call to the
OSCHANGED CHANGED()
SetWindowPos member function or another
window-management function.

260
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Let us look into a simple example of window creation.

WM_CREATE: When an object, called a window, is created, the frame that creates the
objects sends a message identified as ON_WM_CREATE.

Step 1: To create ON_WM_CREATE, add afx_msg int OnCreate(LPCREATESTRUCT

lpCreateStruct); before the DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP() as shown below.

class CMainFrame : public CFrameWnd

{
public:
CMainFrame();
protected:
afx_msg int OnCreate(LPCREATESTRUCT lpCreateStruct);
DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP()
};

Step 2: Add the ON_WM_CREATE() after the BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CMainFrame,

CFrameWnd) and before END_MESSAGE_MAP()

BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CMainFrame, CFrameWnd)
ON_WM_CREATE()
END_MESSAGE_MAP()

Step 3: Here is the Implementation of OnCreate()

int CMainFrame::OnCreate(LPCREATESTRUCT lpCreateStruct)

{
// Call the base class to create the window
if (CFrameWnd::OnCreate(lpCreateStruct) == 0)
{
// If the window was successfully created, let the user know
MessageBox(L"The window has been created!!!");
// Since the window was successfully created, return 0
return 0;
}
// Otherwise, return -1
return -1;
}

261
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Step 4: Now your *.cpp file will look like as shown in the following code.

#include <afxwin.h>
class CMainFrame : public CFrameWnd
{
public:
CMainFrame();
protected:
afx_msg int OnCreate(LPCREATESTRUCT lpCreateStruct);
DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP()
};
CMainFrame::CMainFrame()
{
// Create the window's frame
Create(NULL, L"MFC Messages Demo", WS_OVERLAPPEDWINDOW,
CRect(120, 100, 700, 480), NULL);
}
class CMessagesApp : public CWinApp
{
public:
BOOL InitInstance();
};
BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CMainFrame, CFrameWnd)
ON_WM_CREATE()
END_MESSAGE_MAP()
int CMainFrame::OnCreate(LPCREATESTRUCT lpCreateStruct)
{
// Call the base class to create the window
if (CFrameWnd::OnCreate(lpCreateStruct) == 0)
{
// If the window was successfully created, let the user know
MessageBox(L"The window has been created!!!");
// Since the window was successfully created, return 0
return 0;
}
// Otherwise, return -1
return -1;
}

262
 Microsoft Foundation Classes

BOOL CMessagesApp::InitInstance()
{ m_pMainWnd = new CMainFrame;
m_pMainWnd->ShowWindow(SW_SHOW);
m_pMainWnd->UpdateWindow();
return TRUE;
}
CMessagesApp theApp;

Step 5: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Step 6: When you click OK, it will display the main window.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Command Messages
One of the main features of a graphical application is to present Windows controls and
resources that allow the user to interact with the machine. Examples of controls that we
will learn are buttons, list boxes, combo boxes, etc.

One type of resource we introduced in the previous lesson is the menu. Such controls and
resources can initiate their own messages when the user clicks them. A message that
emanates from a Windows control or a resource is called a command message.

Let us look into a simple example of Command messages.

To provide your application the ability to create a new document, the CWinApp class
provides the OnFileNew() method.

afx_msg void OnFileNew();

BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CMainFrame, CFrameWnd)
ON_COMMAND(ID_FILE_NEW, CMainFrame::OnFileNew)
END_MESSAGE_MAP()

Here is the method definition:

void CMainFrame::OnFileNew()
{
// Create New file
}

Keyboard Messages
A keyboard is a hardware object attached to the computer. By default, it is used to enter
recognizable symbols, letters, and other characters on a control. Each key on the keyboard
displays a symbol, a letter, or a combination of those, to give an indication of what the
key could be used for. The user typically presses a key, which sends a signal to a program.

Each key has a code that the operating system can recognize. This code is known as the
virtual key code. The virtual key codes are as follows:

Constant/value Description
VK_LBUTTON Left mouse button
VK_RBUTTON Right mouse button
VK_CANCEL Control-break processing
VK_MBUTTON Middle mouse button (three-button mouse)
VK_BACK BACKSPACE key
VK_TAB TAB key
VK_CLEAR CLEAR key

264
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VK_RETURN ENTER key

VK_SHIFT SHIFT key
VK_CONTROL CTRL key
VK_MENU ALT key
VK_PAUSE PAUSE key
VK_CAPITAL CAPS LOCK key
VK_ESCAPE ESC key
VK_SPACE SPACEBAR
VK_PRIOR PAGE UP key
VK_NEXT PAGE DOWN key
VK_END END key
VK_HOME HOME key
VK_LEFT LEFT ARROW key
VK_UP UP ARROW key
VK_RIGHT RIGHT ARROW key
VK_DOWN DOWN ARROW key
VK_SELECT SELECT key
VK_PRINT PRINT key
VK_EXECUTE EXECUTE key
VK_SNAPSHOT PRINT SCREEN key
VK_INSERT INS key
VK_DELETE DEL key
VK_NUMPAD0 Numeric keypad 0 key
VK_NUMPAD1 Numeric keypad 1 key
VK_NUMPAD2 Numeric keypad 2 key
VK_NUMPAD3 Numeric keypad 3 key
VK_NUMPAD4 Numeric keypad 4 key
VK_NUMPAD5 Numeric keypad 5 key
VK_NUMPAD6 Numeric keypad 6 key
VK_NUMPAD7 Numeric keypad 7 key
VK_NUMPAD8 Numeric keypad 8 key
VK_NUMPAD9 Numeric keypad 9 key
VK_MULTIPLY Multiply key
VK_ADD Add key
VK_SEPARATOR Separator key
VK_SUBTRACT Subtract key
VK_DECIMAL Decimal key
VK_DIVIDE Divide key
VK_F1 F1 key
VK_F2 F2 key
VK_F3 F3 key
VK_F4 F4 key
VK_F5 F5 key
VK_F6 F6 key
VK_F7 F7 key
VK_F8 F8 key
VK_F9 F9 key
VK_F10 F10 key
VK_F11 F11 key
VK_F12 F12 key
VK_NUMLOCK NUM LOCK key
VK_SCROLL SCROLL LOCK key

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VK_LSHIFT Left SHIFT key

VK_RSHIFT Right SHIFT key
VK_LCONTROL Left CONTROL key
VK_RCONTROL Right CONTROL key

Pressing a key causes a WM_KEYDOWN or WM_SYSKEYDOWN message to be placed in

the thread message. This can be defined as follows:

afx_msg void OnKeyDown(UINT nChar, UINT nRepCnt, UINT nFlags);

Let us look into a simple example.

Step 1: Here is the message.

BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CMainFrame, CFrameWnd)
ON_WM_CREATE()
ON_WM_KEYDOWN()
END_MESSAGE_MAP()

Step 2: Here is the implementation of OnKeyDown().

void CMainFrame::OnKeyDown(UINT nChar, UINT nRepCnt, UINT nFlags)

{
switch (nChar)
{
case VK_RETURN:
MessageBox(L"You pressed Enter");
break;
case VK_F1:
MessageBox(L"Help is not available at the moment");
break;
case VK_DELETE:
MessageBox(L"Can't Delete This");
break;
default:
MessageBox(L"Whatever");
}
}

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Step 3: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Step 4: When you press Enter, it will display the following message.

Mouse Messages
The mouse is another object that is attached to the computer allowing the user to interact
with the machine.

 If the left mouse button was pressed, an ON_WM_LBUTTONDOWN message is

sent. The syntax of this message is:
o afx_msg void OnLButtonDown(UINT nFlags, CPoint point)

 If the right mouse button was pressed, an ON_WM_RBUTTONDOWN message is

sent. Its syntax is:
o afx_msg void OnRButtonDown(UINT nFlags, CPoint point)

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 Similarly If the left mouse is being released, the ON_WM_LBUTTONUP message is

sent. Its syntax is:
o afx_msg void OnLButtonUp(UINT nFlags, CPoint point)

 If the right mouse is being released, the ON_WM_TBUTTONUP message is sent.

Its syntax is:
o afx_msg void OnRButtonUp(UINT nFlags, CPoint point)

Let us look into a simple example.

Step 1: Add the following two functions in CMainFrame class definition as shown in the
following code.

class CMainFrame : public CFrameWnd

{
public:
CMainFrame();
protected:
afx_msg void OnKeyDown(UINT nChar, UINT nRepCnt, UINT nFlags);
afx_msg void OnLButtonDown(UINT nFlags, CPoint point);
afx_msg void OnRButtonUp(UINT nFlags, CPoint point);
DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP()
};

Step 2: Add the following two Message Maps.

BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CMainFrame, CFrameWnd)
ON_WM_KEYDOWN()
ON_WM_LBUTTONDOWN()
ON_WM_RBUTTONUP()
END_MESSAGE_MAP()

Step 3: Here is the functions definition.

void CMainFrame::OnLButtonDown(UINT nFlags, CPoint point)

{ CString MsgCoord;
MsgCoord.Format(L"Left Button at P(%d, %d)", point.x, point.y);
MessageBox(MsgCoord);}
void CMainFrame::OnRButtonUp(UINT nFlags, CPoint point)
{ MessageBox(L"Right Mouse Button Up");
}

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Step 4: When you run this application, you will see the following output.

Step 5: When you click OK, you will see the following message.

Step 6: Right-click on this window. Now, when you release the right button of the mouse,
it will display the following message.

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 13. MFC - ActiveX Control Microsoft Foundation Classes

An ActiveX control container is a parent program that supplies the environment for an
ActiveX (formerly OLE) control to run.

 ActiveX control is a control using Microsoft ActiveX technologies.

 ActiveX is not a programming language, but rather a set of rules for how
applications should share information.

 Programmers can develop ActiveX controls in a variety of languages, including C,

C++, Visual Basic, and Java.

 You can create an application capable of containing ActiveX controls with or

without MFC, but it is much easier to do with MFC.

Let us look into simple example of add ActiveX controls in your MFC dialog based
application.

Step 1: Right-click on the dialog in the designer window and select Insert ActiveX Control.

Step 2: Select the Microsoft Picture Clip Control and click OK.

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Step 3: Resize the Picture control and in the Properties window, click the Picture field.

Step 4: Browse the folder that contains Pictures. Select any picture.

Step 5: When you run this application, you will see the following output.

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Let us have a look into another simple example.

Step 1: Right-click on the dialog in the designer window.

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Step 2: Select Insert ActiveX Control.

Step 3: Select the Microsoft ProgressBar Control 6.0, click OK.

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Step 4: Select the progress bar and set its Orientation in the Properties Window to 1 –
ccOrientationVertical.

Step 5: Add control variable for Progress bar.

Step 6: Add the following code in the OnInitDialog()

m_progBarCtrl.SetScrollRange(0,100,TRUE);
m_progBarCtrl.put_Value(53);

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Step 7: When you run this application again, you will see the progress bar in Vertical
direction as well.

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 14. MFC - File System Microsoft Foundation Classes

In this chapter, we will discuss the various components of the file system.

Drives
A drive is a physical device attached to a computer so it can store information. A logical
disk, logical volume or virtual disk (VD or vdisk for short) is a virtual device that provides
an area of usable storage capacity on one or more physical disk drive(s) in a computer
system. A drive can be a hard disk, a CD ROM, a DVD ROM, a flash (USB) drive, a memory
card, etc.

One of the primary operations you will want to perform is to get a list of drives on the
computer.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new MFC dialog based application.

Step 1: Drag one button from the toolbox, change its Caption to Get Drives Info.

Step 2: Remove the Caption of Static control (TODO line) and change its ID to
IDC_STATIC_TEXT.

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Step 3: Right-click on the button and select Add Event Handler.

Step 4: Select the BN_CLICKED message type and click the Add and Edit button.

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Step 5: Add the value variable m_strDrives for Static Text control.

To support drives on a computer, the Win32 library provides the GetLogicalDrives()

function of Microsoft Window, which will retrieve a list of all drives on the current computer.

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Step 6: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Step 7: When you click the button, you can see all the drives on your computer.

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Directories
In computing, a directory is a file system cataloging structure which contains references
to other computer files, and possibly other directories. Directory is a physical location. It
can handle operations not available on a drive.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new MFC dialog based application

Step 1: Drag three buttons from the toolbox. Change their Captions to Create Directory,
Delete Directory and Move Directory.

Step 2: Change the IDs of these buttons to IDC_BUTTON_CREATE,

IDC_BUTTON_DELETE and IDC_BUTTON_MOVE.

Step 3: Remove the TODO line.

Step 4: Add event handler for each button.

Step 5: To create a directory, you can call the CreateDirectory() method of the Win32
library.

Step 6: Here is the Create button event handler implementation in which we will create
one directory and then two more sub directories.

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void CMFCDirectoriesDemoDlg::OnBnClickedButtonCreate()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES saPermissions;

saPermissions.nLength = sizeof(SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES);
saPermissions.lpSecurityDescriptor = NULL;
saPermissions.bInheritHandle = TRUE;

if (CreateDirectory(L"D:\\MFCDirectoryDEMO", &saPermissions) == TRUE)

AfxMessageBox(L"The directory was created.");
CreateDirectory(L"D:\\MFCDirectoryDEMO\\Dir1", NULL);
CreateDirectory(L"D:\\MFCDirectoryDEMO\\Dir2", NULL);
}

Step 7: To get rid of a directory, you can call the RemoveDirectory() function of the
Win32 library. Here is the implementation of delete button event handler.

void CMFCDirectoriesDemoDlg::OnBnClickedButtonDelete()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
if (RemoveDirectory(L"D:\\MFCDirectoryDEMO\\Dir1") == TRUE)
AfxMessageBox(L"The directory has been deleted");
}

Step 8: If you want to move a directory, you can also call the same MoveFile() function.
Here is the implementation of move button event handler in which we will create first new
directory and then move the Dir2 to that directory.

void CMFCDirectoriesDemoDlg::OnBnClickedButtonMove()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
CreateDirectory(L"D:\\MFCDirectory", NULL)

if (MoveFile(L"D:\\MFCDirectoryDEMO\\Dir1",
L"D:\\MFCDirectory\\Dir1") == TRUE)
AfxMessageBox(L"The directory has been moved");
}
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Step 9: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Step 10: When you click the Create Directory button, it will create these directories.

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Step 11: When you click on Delete Directory button, it will delete the Dir1.

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File Processing
Most of the file processing in an MFC application is performed in conjunction with a class
named CArchive. The CArchive class serves as a relay between the application and the
medium used to either store data or make it available. It allows you to save a complex
network of objects in a permanent binary form (usually disk storage) that persists after
those objects are deleted.

Here is the list of methods in CArchive class:

Name Description
Closes an archive without throwing an
Abort
exception.
Flushes unwritten data and disconnects from
Close
the CFile.
Flushes unwritten data from the archive
Flush
buffer.
GetFile Gets the CFile object pointer for this archive.
Called from the Serialize function to
GetObjectSchema determine the version of the object that is
being deserialized.
Determines whether the buffer has been
IsBufferEmpty emptied during a Windows Sockets receive
process.
IsLoading Determines whether the archive is loading.
IsStoring Determines whether the archive is storing.
Places objects in the map that are not
MapObject serialized to the file, but that are available for
subobjects to reference.
Read Reads raw bytes.
Reads a class reference previously stored with
ReadClass
WriteClass.
ReadObject Calls an object's Serialize function for loading.
ReadString Reads a single line of text.
Reads or writes the class reference to the
SerializeClass CArchive object depending on the direction of
the CArchive.
Sets the size to which the load array grows.
SetLoadParams Must be called before any object is loaded or
before MapObject or ReadObject is called.
Sets the object schema stored in the archive
SetObjectSchema
object.
Sets the hash table size and the block size of
SetStoreParams the map used to identify unique objects during
the serialization process.
Write Writes raw bytes.
Writes a reference to the CRuntimeClass to
WriteClass
the CArchive.
WriteObject Calls an object's Serialize function for storing.
WriteString Writes a single line of text.

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Here is the list of operators used to store and retrieve data:

Name Description
operator << Stores objects and primitive types to the archive.
operator >> Loads objects and primitive types from the archive.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new MFC dialog based application.

Step 1: Drag one edit control and two buttons as shown in the following snapshot.

Step 2: Add control variable m_edtiCtrl and value variable m_strEdit for edit control.

Step 3: Add click event handler for Open and Save buttons.

Step 4: Here is the implementation of event handlers.

void CMFCFileProcessingDlg::OnBnClickedButtonOpen()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);

CFile file;

file.Open(L"ArchiveText.rpr", CFile::modeRead);
if(file)
CArchive ar(&file, CArchive::load);
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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

ar >> m_strEdit;

ar.Close();
file.Close();

UpdateData(FALSE);
}

void CMFCFileProcessingDlg::OnBnClickedButtonSave()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);

if (m_strEdit.GetLength() == 0)
{
AfxMessageBox(L"You must enter the name of the text.");
return;
}

CFile file;

file.Open(L"ArchiveText.rpr", CFile::modeCreate | CFile::modeWrite);

CArchive ar(&file, CArchive::store);

ar << m_strEdit;

ar.Close();
file.Close();
}

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 5: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Step 6: Write something and click Save. It will save the data in binary format.

Step 7: Remove the test from edit control. As you click Open, observe that the same text
is loaded again.

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 15. MFC - Standard I/O Microsoft Foundation Classes

The MFC library provides its own version of file processing. This is done through a class
named CStdioFile. The CStdioFile class is derived from CFile. It can handle the reading and
writing of Unicode text files as well as ordinary multi-byte text files.

Here is the list of constructors, which can initialize a CStdioFile object:

CStdioFile();
CStdioFile(CAtlTransactionManager* pTM);
CStdioFile(FILE* pOpenStream);
CStdioFile(LPCTSTR lpszFileName, UINT nOpenFlags);
CStdioFile(LPCTSTR lpszFileName, UINT nOpenFlags, CAtlTransactionManager* pTM);

Here is the list of methods in CStdioFile:

Name Description
Overloaded. Open is designed for use with the default
Open
CStdioFile constructor (Overrides CFile::Open).
ReadString Reads a single line of text.
Seek Positions the current file pointer.
WriteString Writes a single line of text.

Let us look into a simple example again by creating a new MFC dialog based application.

Step 1: Drag one edit control and two buttons as shown in the following snapshot.

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Step 2: Add value variable m_strEdtiCtrl for edit control.

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Step 3: Add click event handler for Open and Save buttons.

Step 4: Here is the implementation of event handlers.

void CMFCStandardIODlg::OnBnClickedButtonOpen()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);

CStdioFile file;
file.Open(L"D:\\MFCDirectoryDEMO\\test.txt", CFile::modeRead |
CFile::typeText);

file.ReadString(m_strEditCtrl);
file.Close();
UpdateData(FALSE);
}

void CMFCStandardIODlg::OnBnClickedButtonSave()

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);
CStdioFile file;
if (m_strEditCtrl.GetLength() == 0)
{
AfxMessageBox(L"You must specify the text.");
return;
}
file.Open(L"D:\\MFCDirectoryDEMO\\test.txt", CFile::modeCreate |
CFile::modeWrite | CFile::typeText);
file.WriteString(m_strEditCtrl);
file.Close();
}

Step 5: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

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Step 6: Write something and click Save. It will save the data in *.txt file.

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Step 7: If you look at the location of the file, you will see that it contains the test.txt file.

Step 8: Now, close the application. Run the same application. When you click Open, the
same text loads again.

Step 9: It starts by opening the file, reading the file, followed by updating the Edit Control.

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 16. MFC - Document View Microsoft Foundation Classes

The Document/View architecture is the foundation used to create applications based

on the Microsoft Foundation Classes library. It allows you to make distinct the different
parts that compose a computer program including what the user sees as part of your
application and the document a user would work on. This is done through a combination
of separate classes that work as an ensemble.

The parts that compose the Document/View architecture are a frame, one or more
documents, and the view. Put together, these entities make up a usable application.

View
A view is the platform the user is working on to do his or her job. To let the user do
anything on an application, you must provide a view, which is an object based on the
CView class. You can either directly use one of the classes derivedfrom CView or you can
derive your own custom class from CView or one of its child classes.

Document
A document is similar to a bucket. For a computer application, a document holds the
user's data. To create the document part of this architecture, you must derive an object
from the CDocument class.

Frame
As the name suggests, a frame is a combination of the building blocks, the structure, and
the borders of an item. A frame gives "physical" presence to a window. It also defines the
location of an object with regards to the Windows desktop.

Single Document Interface (SDI)

The expression Single Document Interface or SDI refers to a document that can present
only one view to the user. This means that the application cannot display more than one
document at a time. If you want to view another type of document of the current
application, you must create another instance of the application. Notepad and WordPad
are examples of SDI applications.

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Let us look into a simple example of single document interface or SDI by creating a new
MFC dialog based application.

Step 1: Let us create a new MFC Application MFCSDIDemo with below mentioned
settings.

Step 2: Select Single document from the Application type and MFC standard from Project
Style.

Step 3: Click Finish to Continue.

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Step 4: Once the project is created, run the application and you will see the following
output.

Multiple Document Interface (MDI)

An application is referred to as a Multiple Document Interface, or MDI, if the user can
open more than one document in the application without closing it. To provide this
functionality, the application provides a parent frame that acts as the main frame of the
computer program. Inside this frame, the application allows creating views with individual
frames, making each view distinct from the other.

Let us look into a simple example of single document interface or SDI by creating a new
MFC dialog based application.

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Step 1: Let us create a new MFC Application MFCMDIDemo with below mentioned
settings.

Step 2: Select Single document from the Application type and MFC standard from Project
Style.

Step 3: Click Finish to Continue.

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Step 4: Once the project is created, run the application and you will see the following
output.

Step 5: When you click on File -> New menu option, it will create another child window
as shown in the following snapshot.

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Step 6: In Multiple Document Interface (MDI) applications, there is one main frame per
application. In this case, a CMDIFrameWnd, and one CMDIChildWnd derived child frame
for each document.

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 17. MFC - Strings Microsoft Foundation Classes

Strings are objects that represent sequences of characters. The C-style character string
originated within the C language and continues to be supported within C++.

 This string is actually a one-dimensional array of characters which is terminated

by a null character '\0'.

 A null-terminated string contains the characters that comprise the string followed
by a null.

Here is the simple example of character array.

char word[12] = { 'H', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o', ' ', 'W', 'o', 'r', 'l', 'd', '\0'
};

Following is another way to represent it.

char word[] = "Hello, World";

Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) library provides a class to manipulate string called
CString. Following are some important features of CString.

 CString does not have a base class.

 A CString object consists of a variable-length sequence of characters.

 CString provides functions and operators using a syntax similar to that of Basic.

 Concatenation and comparison operators, together with simplified memory

management, make CString objects easier to use than ordinary character arrays.

Here is the constructor of CString.

Method Description
CString Constructs CString objects in various ways

Here is a list of Array Methods:

Method Description
GetLength Returns the number of characters in a CString object.
IsEmpty Tests whether a CString object contains no characters.
Empty Forces a string to have 0 length.
GetAt Returns the character at a specified position.
SetAt Sets a character at a specified position.

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Here is a list of Comparison Methods:

Method Description
Compare Compares two strings (case sensitive).
CompareNoCase Compares two strings (case insensitive).

Here is a list of Extraction Methods:

Method Description
Extracts the middle part of a string (like the Basic
Mid
MID$ function).
Extracts the left part of a string (like the Basic LEFT$
Left
function).
Extracts the right part of a string (like the Basic
Right
RIGHT$ function).
Extracts a substring that contains only the characters
SpanIncluding
in a set.
Extracts a substring that contains only the characters
SpanExcluding
not in a set.

Here is a list of Conversion Methods.

Method Description
Converts all the characters in this string to uppercase
MakeUpper
characters.
Converts all the characters in this string to lowercase
MakeLower
characters.
MakeReverse Reverses the characters in this string.
Format Format the string as sprintf does.
TrimLeft Trim leading white-space characters from the string.
TrimRight Trim trailing white-space characters from the string.

Here is a list of Searching Methods.

Method Description
Find Finds a character or substring inside a larger string.
ReverseFind Finds a character inside a larger string; starts from the
end.
FindOneOf Finds the first matching character from a set.

Here is a list of Buffer Access Methods.

Method Description
Returns a pointer to the characters in
GetBuffer
the CString.
Returns a pointer to the characters in
GetBufferSetLength the CString, truncating to the specified
length.
Releases control of the buffer returned
ReleaseBuffer
by GetBuffer.

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Removes any overhead of this string

FreeExtra object by freeing any extra memory
previously allocated to the string.
Disables reference counting and
LockBuffer
protects the string in the buffer.
Enables reference counting and releases
UnlockBuffer
the string in the buffer.

Here is a list of Windows-Specific Methods.

Method Description
AllocSysString Allocates a BSTR from CString data.
Sets an existing BSTR object with data from a
SetSysString
CString object.
Loads an existing CString object from a Windows CE
LoadString
resource.

Following are the different operations on CString objects:

Create String
You can create a string by either using a string literal or creating an instance of CString
class.

BOOL CMFCStringDemoDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

CString string1 = _T("This is a string1");

CString string2("This is a string2");

m_strText.Append(string1 + L"\n");
m_strText.Append(string2);

UpdateData(FALSE);

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

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When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Empty String
You can create an empty string by either using an empty string literal or by using
CString::Empty() method. You can also check whether a string is empty or not using
Boolean property isEmpty.

BOOL CMFCStringDemoDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

CString string1 = _T("");

CString string2;

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string2.Empty();

if(string1.IsEmpty())
m_strText.Append(L"String1 is empty\n");
else
m_strText.Append(string1 + L"\n");

if(string2.IsEmpty())
m_strText.Append(L"String2 is empty");
else
m_strText.Append(string2);

UpdateData(FALSE);

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

When the above code is compiled and executed you will see the following output.

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String Concatenation
To concatenate two or more strings, you can use + operator to concatenate two strings or
a CString::Append() method.

BOOL CMFCStringDemoDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

//To concatenate two CString objects

CString s1 = _T("This "); // Cascading concatenation
s1 += _T("is a ");
CString s2 = _T("test");
CString message = s1;
message.Append(_T("big ") + s2);
// Message contains "This is a big test".

m_strText = L"message: " + message;

UpdateData(FALSE);

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

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When the above code is compiled and executed you will see the following output.

String Length
To find the length of the string you can use the CString::GetLength() method, which
returns the number of characters in a CString object.

BOOL CMFCStringDemoDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

CString string1 = _T("This is string 1");

int length = string1.GetLength();
CString strLen;
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strLen.Format(L"\nString1 contains %d characters", length);

m_strText = string1 + strLen;

UpdateData(FALSE);

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

When the above code is compiled and executed you will see the following output.

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String Comparison
To compare two strings variables you can use == operator

BOOL CMFCStringDemoDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

CString string1 = _T("Hello");

CString string2 = _T("World");

CString string3 = _T("MFC Tutorial");

CString string4 = _T("MFC Tutorial");

if (string1 == string2)
m_strText = "string1 and string1 are same\n";
else
m_strText = "string1 and string1 are not same\n";

if (string3 == string4)
m_strText += "string3 and string4 are same";
else
m_strText += "string3 and string4 are not same";

UpdateData(FALSE);

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

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When the above code is compiled and executed you will see the following output.

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 18. MFC - CArray Microsoft Foundation Classes

CArray is a collection that is best used for data that is to be accessed in a random or non
sequential manner. CArray class supports arrays that are like C arrays, but can
dynamically shrink and grow as necessary.

 Array indexes always start at position 0.

 You can decide whether to fix the upper bound or enable the array to expand
when you add elements past the current bound.

 Memory is allocated contiguously to the upper bound, even if some elements are
null.

Here is a list of CArray class methods.

Name Description
Adds an element to the end of the array; grows the
Add
array if necessary.
Appends another array to the array; grows the
Append
array if necessary
Copies another array to the array; grows the array
Copy
if necessary.
Returns a temporary reference to the element
ElementAt
pointer within the array.
Frees all unused memory above the current upper
FreeExtra
bound.
GetAt Returns the value at a given index.
GetCount Gets the number of elements in this array.
Allows access to elements in the array. Can be
GetData
NULL.
GetSize Gets the number of elements in this array.
GetUpperBound Returns the largest valid index.
Inserts an element (or all the elements in another
InsertAt
array) at a specified index.
IsEmpty Determines whether the array is empty.
RemoveAll Removes all the elements from this array.
RemoveAt Removes an element at a specific index.
Sets the value for a given index; array not allowed
SetAt
to grow.
Sets the value for a given index; grows the array
SetAtGrow
if necessary.
Sets the number of elements to be contained in
SetSize
this array.

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Following are the different operations on CArray objects:

Create CArray Object

To create a collection of CArray values or objects, you must first decide the type of values
of the collection. You can use one of the existing primitive data types such as int, CString,
double etc. as shown below;

CArray<CString, CString> strArray;

Add items
To add an item you can use CArray::Add() function. It adds an item at the end of the
array. In the OnInitDialog(), CArray object is created and three names are added as shown
in the following code.

CArray<CString, CString> strArray;

//Add names to CArray

strArray.Add(L"Ali");
strArray.Add(L"Ahmed");
strArray.Add(L"Mark");

Retrieve Items
To retrieve any item, you can use the CArray::GetAt() function. This function takes one
integer parameter as an index of the array.

Step 1: Let us look at a simple example, which will retrieve all the names.

//Retrive names from CArray

for (int i = 0; i < strArray.GetSize(); i++)
{
m_strText.Append(strArray.GetAt(i) + L"\n");
}

Step 2: Here is the complete implementation of CMFCCArrayDlg::OnInitDialog()

BOOL CMFCCArrayDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

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// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

CArray<CString, CString> strArray;

//Add names to CArray

strArray.Add(L"Ali");
strArray.Add(L"Ahmed");
strArray.Add(L"Mark");

//Retrive names from CArray

for (int i = 0; i < strArray.GetSize(); i++)
{
m_strText.Append(strArray.GetAt(i) + L"\n");
}

UpdateData(FALSE);
return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

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Step 3: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Add Items in the Middle

To add item in the middle of array you can use the CArray::.InsertAt() function. It takes
two paramerters — First, the index and Second, the value.

Let us insert a new item at index 1 as shown in the following code.

BOOL CMFCCArrayDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

CArray<CString, CString> strArray;

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//Add names to CArray

strArray.Add(L"Ali");
strArray.Add(L"Ahmed");
strArray.Add(L"Mark");

strArray.InsertAt(1, L"Allan");

//Retrive names from CArray

for (int i = 0; i < strArray.GetSize(); i++)
{
m_strText.Append(strArray.GetAt(i) + L"\n");
}

UpdateData(FALSE);
return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

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When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output. You can
now see the name Allan dded as the second index.

Update Item Value

To update item in the middle of array you can use the CArray::.SetAt() function. It takes
two paramerters — First, the index and Second, the value.

Let us update the third element in the array as shown in the following code.

BOOL CMFCCArrayDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

CArray<CString, CString> strArray;

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//Add names to CArray

strArray.Add(L"Ali");
strArray.Add(L"Ahmed");
strArray.Add(L"Mark");

strArray.InsertAt(1, L"Allan");

strArray.SetAt(2, L"Salman");

//Retrive names from CArray

for (int i = 0; i < strArray.GetSize(); i++)
{
m_strText.Append(strArray.GetAt(i) + L"\n");
}

UpdateData(FALSE);
return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output. You can
now see that the value of third element is updated.

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Copy Array
To copy the entire array into another CArray object, you can use CArray::Copy() function.

Step 1: Let us create another array and copy all the elements from first array as shown
in the following code.

BOOL CMFCCArrayDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Add "About..." menu item to system menu.

// IDM_ABOUTBOX must be in the system command range.

ASSERT((IDM_ABOUTBOX & 0xFFF0) == IDM_ABOUTBOX);
ASSERT(IDM_ABOUTBOX < 0xF000);
CMenu* pSysMenu = GetSystemMenu(FALSE);
if (pSysMenu != NULL)
{
BOOL bNameValid;
CString strAboutMenu;
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bNameValid = strAboutMenu.LoadString(IDS_ABOUTBOX);
ASSERT(bNameValid);
if (!strAboutMenu.IsEmpty())
{
pSysMenu->AppendMenu(MF_SEPARATOR);
pSysMenu->AppendMenu(MF_STRING, IDM_ABOUTBOX, strAboutMenu);
}
}
// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

CArray<CString, CString> strArray;
//Add names to CArray
strArray.Add(L"Ali");
strArray.Add(L"Ahmed");
strArray.Add(L"Mark");

strArray.InsertAt(1, L"Allan");

strArray.SetAt(2, L"Salman");

CArray<CString, CString> strArray2;

strArray2.Copy(strArray);
//Retrive names from CArray
for (int i = 0; i < strArray2.GetSize(); i++)
{
m_strText.Append(strArray2.GetAt(i) + L"\n");
}

UpdateData(FALSE);
return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

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You can now see that we have retrieved element from the 2nd array and the output is the
same because we have used the copy function.

Remove Items
To remove any particular item, you can use CArray::RemoveAt() function. To remove all
the element from the list, CArray::RemoveAll() function can be used.

Let us remove the second element from an array.

BOOL CMFCCArrayDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon

SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

CArray<CString, CString> strArray;

//Add names to CArray

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strArray.Add(L"Ali");
strArray.Add(L"Ahmed");
strArray.Add(L"Mark");

strArray.InsertAt(1, L"Allan");

strArray.SetAt(2, L"Salman");

CArray<CString, CString> strArray2;

strArray2.Copy(strArray);

strArray2.RemoveAt(1);

//Retrive names from CArray

for (int i = 0; i < strArray2.GetSize(); i++)
{
m_strText.Append(strArray2.GetAt(i) + L"\n");
}

UpdateData(FALSE);
return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

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When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output. You can
now see that the name Allan is no longer part of the array.

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 19. MFC - Linked Lists Microsoft Foundation Classes

A linked list is a linear data structure where each element is a separate object. Each
element (we will call it a node) of a list comprises two items — the data and a reference
to the next node. The last node has a reference to null.

A linked list is a data structure consisting of a group of nodes which together represent a
sequence. It is a way to store data with structures so that the programmer can
automatically create a new place to store data whenever necessary. Some of its salient
features are:

 Linked List is a sequence of links which contains items.

 Each link contains a connection to another link.

 Each item in the list is called a node.

 If the list contains at least one node, then a new node is positioned as the last
element in the list.

 If the list has only one node, that node represents the first and the last item.

There are two types of link list:

Singly Linked List

Singly Linked Lists are a type of data structure. In a singly linked list, each node in the list
stores the contents of the node and a pointer or reference to the next node in the list.

Doubly Linked List

A doubly linked list is a linked data structure that consists of a set of sequentially linked
records called nodes. Each node contains two fields that are references to the previous
and to the next node in the sequence of nodes.

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CList Class
MFC provides a class CList which is a template linked list implementation and works
perfectly. CList lists behave like doubly-linked lists. A variable of type POSITION is a key
for the list. You can use a POSITION variable as an iterator to traverse a list sequentially
and as a bookmark to hold a place.

Here is the list of methods in CList class.

Name Description
Adds an element (or all the elements in another
AddHead
list) to the head of the list (makes a new head).
Adds an element (or all the elements in another
AddTail
list) to the tail of the list (makes a new tail).
Gets the position of an element specified by
Find
pointer value.
Gets the position of an element specified by a
FindIndex
zero-based index.
GetAt Gets the element at a given position.
GetCount Returns the number of elements in this list.
Returns the head element of the list (cannot be
GetHead
empty).
Returns the position of the head element of the
GetHeadPosition
list.
GetNext Gets the next element for iterating.
GetPrev Gets the previous element for iterating.
GetSize Returns the number of elements in this list.
Returns the tail element of the list (cannot be
GetTail
empty).
GetTailPosition Returns the position of the tail element of the list.
InsertAfter Inserts a new element after a given position.
InsertBefore Inserts a new element before a given position.
IsEmpty Tests for the empty list condition (no elements).
RemoveAll Removes all the elements from this list.
Removes an element from this list, specified by
RemoveAt
position.
RemoveHead Removes the element from the head of the list.
RemoveTail Removes the element from the tail of the list.
SetAt Sets the element at a given position.

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Following are the different operations on CList objects:

Create CList Object

To create a collection of CList values or objects, you must first decide the type of values
of the collection. You can use one of the existing primitive data types such as int, CString,
double etc. as shown below in the following code.

CList<double, double> m_list;

Add items
To add an item, you can use CList::AddTail() function. It adds an item at the end of the
list. To add an element at the start of the list, you can use the CList::AddHead() function.
In the OnInitDialog() CList, object is created and four values are added as shown in the
following code.

CList<double, double> m_list;

//Add items to the list

m_list.AddTail(100.75);
m_list.AddTail(85.26);
m_list.AddTail(95.78);
m_list.AddTail(90.1);

Retrieve Items
A variable of type POSITION is a key for the list. You can use a POSITION variable as an
iterator to traverse a list sequentially.

Step 1: To retrieve the element from the list, we can use the following code which will
retrieve all the values.

//iterate the list

POSITION pos = m_list.GetHeadPosition();
while (pos)
{ double nData = m_list.GetNext(pos);
CString strVal;
strVal.Format(L"%.2f\n", nData);
m_strText.Append(strVal);}

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Step 2: Here is the complete CMFCCListDemoDlg::OnInitDialog() function.

BOOL CMFCCListDemoDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

CList<double, double> m_list;

//Add items to the list

m_list.AddTail(100.75);
m_list.AddTail(85.26);
m_list.AddTail(95.78);
m_list.AddTail(90.1);

//iterate the list

POSITION pos = m_list.GetHeadPosition();
while (pos)
{
double nData = m_list.GetNext(pos);
CString strVal;
strVal.Format(L"%.f\n", nData);
m_strText.Append(strVal);
}
UpdateData(FALSE);

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 3: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Add Items in the Middle

To add item in the middle of the list, you can use the CList::.InsertAfter() and
CList::.InsertBefore() functions. It takes two paramerters — First, the position (where it
can be added) and Second, the value.

Step 1: Let us insert a new item as shown in the followng code.

BOOL CMFCCListDemoDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

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CList<double, double> m_list;

//Add items to the list

m_list.AddTail(100.75);
m_list.AddTail(85.26);
m_list.AddTail(95.78);
m_list.AddTail(90.1);

POSITION position = m_list.Find(85.26);

m_list.InsertBefore(position, 200.0);
m_list.InsertAfter(position, 300.0);

//iterate the list

POSITION pos = m_list.GetHeadPosition();
while (pos)
{
double nData = m_list.GetNext(pos);
CString strVal;
strVal.Format(L"%.2f\n", nData);
m_strText.Append(strVal);
}
UpdateData(FALSE);

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

Step 2: You can now see see that we first retrieved the position of value 85.26 and then
inserted one element before and one element after that value.

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Step 3: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Update Item Value

To update item at the middle of array, you can use the CArray::.SetAt() function. It takes
two paramerters — First, the position and Second, the value.

Let us update the 300.00 to 400 in the list as shown in the following code.

BOOL CMFCCListDemoDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

CList<double, double> m_list;

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//Add items to the list

m_list.AddTail(100.75);
m_list.AddTail(85.26);
m_list.AddTail(95.78);
m_list.AddTail(90.1);

POSITION position = m_list.Find(85.26);

m_list.InsertBefore(position, 200.0);
m_list.InsertAfter(position, 300.0);

position = m_list.Find(300.00);
m_list.SetAt(position, 400.00);

//iterate the list

POSITION pos = m_list.GetHeadPosition();
while (pos)
{
double nData = m_list.GetNext(pos);
CString strVal;
strVal.Format(L"%.2f\n", nData);
m_strText.Append(strVal);
}
UpdateData(FALSE);

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

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When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output. You can
now see that the value of 300.00 is updated to 400.00.

Remove Items
To remove any particular item, you can use CList::RemoveAt() function. To remove all the
element from the list, CList::RemoveAll() function can be used.

Let us remove the element, which has 95.78 as its value.

BOOL CMFCCListDemoDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon
SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

CList<double, double> m_list;
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//Add items to the list

m_list.AddTail(100.75);
m_list.AddTail(85.26);
m_list.AddTail(95.78);
m_list.AddTail(90.1);

POSITION position = m_list.Find(85.26);

m_list.InsertBefore(position, 200.0);
m_list.InsertAfter(position, 300.0);

position = m_list.Find(300.00);
m_list.SetAt(position, 400.00);

position = m_list.Find(95.78);
m_list.RemoveAt(position);

//iterate the list

POSITION pos = m_list.GetHeadPosition();
while (pos)
{
double nData = m_list.GetNext(pos);
CString strVal;
strVal.Format(L"%.2f\n", nData);
m_strText.Append(strVal);
}
UpdateData(FALSE);

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output. You can
now see that the value of 95.78 is no longer part of the list.

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 20. MFC - Database Classes Microsoft Foundation Classes

A database is a collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed,

managed, and updated. The MFC database classes based on ODBC are designed to provide
access to any database for which an ODBC driver is available. Because the classes use
ODBC, your application can access data in many different data formats and different
local/remote configurations.

You do not have to write special-case code to handle different database management
systems (DBMSs). As long as your users have an appropriate ODBC driver for the data
they want to access, they can use your program to manipulate data in tables stored there.
A data source is a specific instance of data hosted by some database management system
(DBMS). Examples include Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access, etc.

CDatabase
MFC provides a class CDatabase which represents a connection to a data source, through
which you can operate on the data source. You can have one or more CDatabase objects
active at a time in your application.

Here is the list of methods in CDatabase class.

Name Description
Starts a "transaction" — a series of reversible calls to the
AddNew, Edit, Delete, and Update member functions of class
BeginTrans
CRecordset — on the connected data source. The data source
must support transactions for BeginTrans to have any effect.
BindParameters Allows you to bind parameters before calling ExecuteSQL.
Cancels an asynchronous operation or a process from a second
Cancel
thread.
CanTransact Returns nonzero if the data source supports transactions.
Returns nonzero if the CDatabase object is updatable (not
CanUpdate
read-only).
Close Closes the data source connection.
Completes a transaction begun by BeginTrans. Commands in
CommitTrans
the transaction that alter the data source are carried out.
ExecuteSQL Executes a SQL statement. No data records are returned.
GetBookmarkPersist Identifies the operations through which bookmarks persist on
ence recordset objects.
Returns the ODBC connection string used to connect the
GetConnect
CDatabase object to a data source.
GetCursorCommitBe Identifies the effect of committing a transaction on an open
havior recordset object.
GetCursorRollbackBe Identifies the effect of rolling back a transaction on an open
havior recordset object.
GetDatabaseName Returns the name of the database currently in use.
Returns nonzero if the CDatabase object is currently
IsOpen
connected to a data source.

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Called by the framework to set standard connection options.

The default implementation sets the query timeout value. You
OnSetOptions
can establish these options ahead of time by calling
SetQueryTimeout.
Establishes a connection to a data source (through an ODBC
Open
driver).
Establishes a connection to a data source (through an ODBC
OpenEx
driver).
Reverses changes made during the current transaction. The
Rollback data source returns to its previous state, as defined at the
BeginTrans call, unaltered.
Sets the number of seconds after which a data source
SetLoginTimeout
connection attempt will time out.
Sets the number of seconds after which database query
SetQueryTimeout operations will time out. Affects all subsequent recordset
Open, AddNew, Edit, and Delete calls.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new MFC dialog based application.

Step 1: Change the caption of TODO line to Retrieve Data from Database and drag one
button and one List control as shown in the following snapshot.

Step 2: Add click event handler for button and control variable m_ListControl for List
Control.

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Step 3: We have simple database which contains one Employees table with some records
as shown in the following snapshot.

Step 4: We need to include the following headers file so that we can use CDatabase class.

#include "odbcinst.h"
#include "afxdb.h"

Insert Query
The SQL INSERT INTO Statement is used to add new rows of data to a table in the
database.

To add new records, we will use the ExecuteSQL() function of CDatabase class as shown
in the following code.

CDatabase database;
CString SqlString;
CString strID, strName, strAge;
CString sDriver = L"MICROSOFT ACCESS DRIVER (*.mdb)";
CString sDsn;
CString sFile = L"D:\\Test.mdb";
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// You must change above path if it's different

int iRec = 0;

// Build ODBC connection string

sDsn.Format(L"ODBC;DRIVER={%s};DSN='';DBQ=%s", sDriver, sFile);
TRY
{
// Open the database
database.Open(NULL,false,false,sDsn);

SqlString = "INSERT INTO Employees (ID,Name,age) VALUES (5,'Sanjay',69)";

database.ExecuteSQL(SqlString);
// Close the database
database.Close();
}
CATCH(CDBException, e)
{
// If a database exception occured, show error msg
AfxMessageBox(L"Database error: " + e->m_strError);
}
END_CATCH;

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Step 2: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see that a new record is
added in your database.

Retrieve Record
To retrieve the above table in MFC application, we implement the database related
operations in the button event handler as shown in the following steps.

Step 1: To use CDatabase, construct a CDatabase object and call its Open() function. This
will open the connection.

Step 2: Construct CRecordset objects for operating on the connected data source, pass
the recordset constructor a pointer to your CDatabase object.

Step 3: After using the connection, call the Close function and destroy the CDatabase
object.

void CMFCDatabaseDemoDlg::OnBnClickedButtonRead()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
CDatabase database;
CString SqlString;
CString strID, strName, strAge;
CString sDriver = "MICROSOFT ACCESS DRIVER (*.mdb)";
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CString sDsn;
CString sFile = L"D:\\Test.mdb";
// You must change above path if it's different
int iRec = 0;

// Build ODBC connection string

sDsn.Format("ODBC;DRIVER={%s};DSN='';DBQ=%s",sDriver,sFile);
TRY
{
// Open the database
database.Open(NULL,false,false,sDsn);

// Allocate the recordset

CRecordset recset( &database );

// Build the SQL statement

SqlString = "SELECT ID, Name, Age "
"FROM Employees";

// Execute the query

recset.Open(CRecordset::forwardOnly,SqlString,CRecordset::readOnly);
// Reset List control if there is any data
ResetListControl();
// populate Grids
ListView_SetExtendedListViewStyle(m_ListControl,LVS_EX_GRIDLINES);

// Column width and heading

m_ListControl.InsertColumn(0,"Emp ID",LVCFMT_LEFT,-1,0);
m_ListControl.InsertColumn(1,"Name",LVCFMT_LEFT,-1,1);
m_ListControl.InsertColumn(2, "Age", LVCFMT_LEFT, -1, 1);
m_ListControl.SetColumnWidth(0, 120);
m_ListControl.SetColumnWidth(1, 200);
m_ListControl.SetColumnWidth(2, 200);

// Loop through each record

while( !recset.IsEOF() )
{
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// Copy each column into a variable

recset.GetFieldValue("ID",strID);
recset.GetFieldValue("Name",strName);
recset.GetFieldValue("Age", strAge);

// Insert values into the list control

iRec = m_ListControl.InsertItem(0,strID,0);
m_ListControl.SetItemText(0,1,strName);
m_ListControl.SetItemText(0, 2, strAge);

// goto next record

recset.MoveNext();
}
// Close the database
database.Close();
}
CATCH(CDBException, e)
{
// If a database exception occured, show error msg
AfxMessageBox("Database error: "+e->m_strError);
}
END_CATCH; }
// Reset List control
void CMFCDatabaseDemoDlg::ResetListControl()
{
m_ListControl.DeleteAllItems();
int iNbrOfColumns;
CHeaderCtrl* pHeader = (CHeaderCtrl*)m_ListControl.GetDlgItem(0);
if (pHeader)
{
iNbrOfColumns = pHeader->GetItemCount();
}
for (int i = iNbrOfColumns; i >= 0; i--)
{
m_ListControl.DeleteColumn(i);
}
}

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Step 4: Here is the header file.

// MFCDatabaseDemoDlg.h : header file

//

#pragma once
#include "afxcmn.h"

// CMFCDatabaseDemoDlg dialog
class CMFCDatabaseDemoDlg : public CDialogEx
{
// Construction
public:
CMFCDatabaseDemoDlg(CWnd* pParent = NULL); // standard constructor

// Dialog Data
#ifdef AFX_DESIGN_TIME
enum { IDD = IDD_MFCDATABASEDEMO_DIALOG };
#endif

protected:
virtual void DoDataExchange(CDataExchange* pDX); // DDX/DDV support
void ResetListControl();

// Implementation
protected:
HICON m_hIcon;

// Generated message map functions

virtual BOOL OnInitDialog();
afx_msg void OnPaint();
afx_msg HCURSOR OnQueryDragIcon();
DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP()
public:
CListCtrl m_ListControl;
afx_msg void OnBnClickedButtonRead();
};

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Step 5: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Step 6: Press the Read button to execute the database operations. It will retrieve the
Employees table.

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Update Record
The SQL UPDATE Query is used to modify the existing records in a table. You can use
WHERE clause with UPDATE query to update selected rows otherwise all the rows would
be affected.

Step 1: Let us look into a simple example by updating the Age where ID is equal to 5.

SqlString = L"UPDATE Employees SET Age = 59 WHERE ID = 5;";

database.ExecuteSQL(SqlString);

Step 2: Here is the complete code of button click event.

void CMFCDatabaseDemoDlg::OnBnClickedButtonRead()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
CDatabase database;
CString SqlString;
CString strID, strName, strAge;
CString sDriver = L"MICROSOFT ACCESS DRIVER (*.mdb)";
CString sDsn;
CString sFile =
L"C:\\Users\\Muhammad.Waqas\\Downloads\\Compressed\\ReadDB_demo\\Test.mdb";
// You must change above path if it's different
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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

int iRec = 0;

// Build ODBC connection string

sDsn.Format(L"ODBC;DRIVER={%s};DSN='';DBQ=%s", sDriver, sFile);
TRY
{
// Open the database
database.Open(NULL,false,false,sDsn);

// Allocate the recordset

CRecordset recset(&database);

SqlString = L"UPDATE Employees SET Age = 59 WHERE ID = 5;";

database.ExecuteSQL(SqlString);

SqlString = "SELECT ID, Name, Age FROM Employees";

// Build the SQL statement

SqlString = "SELECT ID, Name, Age FROM Employees";

// Execute the query

recset.Open(CRecordset::forwardOnly,SqlString,CRecordset::readOnly);

// Reset List control if there is any data

ResetListControl();
// populate Grids
ListView_SetExtendedListViewStyle(m_listCtrl,LVS_EX_GRIDLINES);

// Column width and heading

m_listCtrl.InsertColumn(0,L"Emp ID",LVCFMT_LEFT,-1,0);
m_listCtrl.InsertColumn(1,L"Name",LVCFMT_LEFT,-1,1);
m_listCtrl.InsertColumn(2, L"Age", LVCFMT_LEFT, -1, 1);
m_listCtrl.SetColumnWidth(0, 120);
m_listCtrl.SetColumnWidth(1, 200);
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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

m_listCtrl.SetColumnWidth(2, 200);

// Loop through each record

while (!recset.IsEOF())
{
// Copy each column into a variable
recset.GetFieldValue(L"ID",strID);
recset.GetFieldValue(L"Name",strName);
recset.GetFieldValue(L"Age", strAge);

// Insert values into the list control

iRec = m_listCtrl.InsertItem(0,strID,0);
m_listCtrl.SetItemText(0,1,strName);
m_listCtrl.SetItemText(0, 2, strAge);

// goto next record

recset.MoveNext();
}
// Close the database
database.Close();
}
CATCH(CDBException, e)
{
// If a database exception occured, show error msg
AfxMessageBox(L"Database error: " + e->m_strError);
}
END_CATCH;
}

Step 3: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.
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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 4: Press the Read button to execute the database operations. It will retrieve the
following Employees table.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 5: You can now see that age is updated from 69 to 59.

Delete Record
The SQL DELETE Query is used to delete the existing records from a table. You can use
WHERE clause with DELETE query to delete selected rows, otherwise all the records would
be deleted.

Step 1: Let us look into a simple example by deleting the record where ID is equal to 3.

SqlString = L"DELETE FROM Employees WHERE ID = 3;";

database.ExecuteSQL(SqlString);

Step 2: Here is the complete code of button click event.

void CMFCDatabaseDemoDlg::OnBnClickedButtonRead()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
CDatabase database;
CString SqlString;
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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

CString strID, strName, strAge;

CString sDriver = L"MICROSOFT ACCESS DRIVER (*.mdb)";
CString sDsn;
CString sFile =
L"C:\\Users\\Muhammad.Waqas\\Downloads\\Compressed\\ReadDB_demo\\Test.mdb";
// You must change above path if it's different
int iRec = 0;

// Build ODBC connection string

sDsn.Format(L"ODBC;DRIVER={%s};DSN='';DBQ=%s", sDriver, sFile);
TRY
{
// Open the database
database.Open(NULL,false,false,sDsn);

// Allocate the recordset

CRecordset recset(&database);

SqlString = L"DELETE FROM Employees WHERE ID = 3;";

database.ExecuteSQL(SqlString);

SqlString = "SELECT ID, Name, Age FROM Employees";

// Build the SQL statement

SqlString = "SELECT ID, Name, Age FROM Employees";

// Execute the query

recset.Open(CRecordset::forwardOnly,SqlString,CRecordset::readOnly);

// Reset List control if there is any data

ResetListControl();
// populate Grids
ListView_SetExtendedListViewStyle(m_listCtrl,LVS_EX_GRIDLINES);

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

// Column width and heading

m_listCtrl.InsertColumn(0,L"Emp ID",LVCFMT_LEFT,-1,0);
m_listCtrl.InsertColumn(1,L"Name",LVCFMT_LEFT,-1,1);
m_listCtrl.InsertColumn(2, L"Age", LVCFMT_LEFT, -1, 1);
m_listCtrl.SetColumnWidth(0, 120);
m_listCtrl.SetColumnWidth(1, 200);
m_listCtrl.SetColumnWidth(2, 200);

// Loop through each record

while (!recset.IsEOF())
{
// Copy each column into a variable
recset.GetFieldValue(L"ID",strID);
recset.GetFieldValue(L"Name",strName);
recset.GetFieldValue(L"Age", strAge);

// Insert values into the list control

iRec = m_listCtrl.InsertItem(0,strID,0);
m_listCtrl.SetItemText(0,1,strName);
m_listCtrl.SetItemText(0, 2, strAge);

// goto next record

recset.MoveNext();
}
// Close the database
database.Close();
}
CATCH(CDBException, e)
{
// If a database exception occured, show error msg
AfxMessageBox(L"Database error: " + e->m_strError);
}
END_CATCH;
}

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Step 3: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Step 4: Press the Read button to execute the database operations. It will retrieve the
Employees table.

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Microsoft Foundation Classes

350
 21. MFC - Serialization Microsoft Foundation Classes

Serialization is the process of writing or reading an object to or from a persistent storage

medium such as a disk file. Serialization is ideal for situations where it is desired to
maintain the state of structured data (such as C++ classes or structures) during or after
the execution of a program.

When performing file processing, the values are typically of primitive types (char, short,
int, float, or double). In the same way, we can individually save many values, one at a
time. This technique doesn't include an object created from (as a variable of) a class

The MFC library has a high level of support for serialization. It starts with the CObject class
that is the ancestor to most MFC classes, which is equipped with a Serialize() member
function.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new MFC project.

Step 1: Remove the TODO line and design your dialog box as shown in the following
snapshot.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 2: Add value variables for all the edit controls. For Emp ID and Age mentioned, the
value type is an integer as shown in the following snapshot.

Step 3: Add the event handler for both the buttons.

Step 4: Let us now add a simple Employee class, which we need to serialize. Here is the
declaration of Employee class in header file.

class CEmployee : public CObject

{public:
int empID;
CString empName;
int age;
CEmployee(void);
~CEmployee(void);
private:

public:
void Serialize(CArchive& ar);
DECLARE_SERIAL(CEmployee);};
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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 5: Here is the definition of Employee class in source (*.cpp) file.

IMPLEMENT_SERIAL(CEmployee, CObject, 0)
CEmployee::CEmployee(void)
{
}

CEmployee::~CEmployee(void)
{
}

void CEmployee::Serialize(CArchive& ar)

{
CObject::Serialize(ar);

if (ar.IsStoring())
ar << empID << empName << age;
else
ar >> empID >> empName >> age;
}

Step 6: Here is the implementation of Save button event handler.

void CMFCSerializationDlg::OnBnClickedButtonSave()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);
CEmployee employee;
CFile file;
file.Open(L"EmployeeInfo.hse", CFile::modeCreate | CFile::modeWrite);
CArchive ar(&file, CArchive::store);
employee.empID = m_id;
employee.empName = m_strName;
employee.age = m_age;
employee.Serialize(ar);
ar.Close();
}

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 7: Here is the implementation of Open button event handler.

void CMFCSerializationDlg::OnBnClickedButtonOpen()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);

CFile file;

file.Open(L"EmployeeInfo.hse", CFile::modeRead);
CArchive ar(&file, CArchive::load);
CEmployee employee;

employee.Serialize(ar);

m_id = employee.empID;
m_strName = employee.empName;
m_age = employee.age;
ar.Close();
file.Close();

UpdateData(FALSE);
}

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 8: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Step 9: Enter the info in all the fields and click Save and close this program.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 10: It will save the data. Run the application again and click open. It will load the
Employee information.

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Microsoft Foundation Classes

357
 22. MFC - Multithreading Microsoft Foundation Classes

The Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) library provides support for multithreaded
applications. A thread is a path of execution within a process. When you start Notepad,
the operating system creates a process and begins executing the primary thread of that
process. When this thread terminates, so does the process.

You can create additional threads in your application if you want. All threads in MFC
applications are represented by CWinThread objects. In most situations, you do not even
have to explicitly create these objects; instead call the framework helper function
AfxBeginThread, which creates the CWinThread object for you.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a new MFC dialog based application.

Step 1: Change the Caption and ID of Static control to Click on Start Thread button
and IDC_STATIC_TEXT respectively.

Step 2: Drag two buttons and add click event handlers for these buttons.

Step 3: Add control variable for static text control.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 4: Now add the following three global variables at the start of
CMFCMultithreadingDlg.cpp file

int currValue;
int maxValue;
BOOL stopNow;

Step 5: Add the WM_TIMER message in CMFCMultithreadingDlg class.

Here is the implementation of OnTimer()

void CMFCMultithreadingDlg::OnTimer(UINT_PTR nIDEvent)

{
// TODO: Add your message handler code here and/or call default
CString sStatusMsg;
sStatusMsg.Format(L"Running: %d", currValue);
m_ctrlStatus.SetWindowText(sStatusMsg);

CDialogEx::OnTimer(nIDEvent);
}

Step 6: Now add a sample function for using in AfxBeginThread in CMFCMultithreadingDlg

class.

UINT MyThreadProc(LPVOID Param)

{
while (!stopNow && (currValue < maxValue))
{
currValue++;
Sleep(50); // would do some work here
}

return TRUE;
}

Step 7: Here is the implementation of event handler for Start Thread button, which will
start the thread.

void CMFCMultithreadingDlg::OnBnClickedButtonStart()

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
currValue = 0;
maxValue = 5000;
stopNow = 0;
m_ctrlStatus.SetWindowText(L"Starting...");
SetTimer(1234, 333, 0); // 3 times per second

AfxBeginThread(MyThreadProc, 0); // <<== START THE THREAD

}

Step 8: Here is the implementation of event handler for Stop Thread button, which will
stop the thread.

void CMFCMultithreadingDlg::OnBnClickedButtonStop()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
stopNow = TRUE;
KillTimer(1234);
m_ctrlStatus.SetWindowText(L"Stopped");
}

Step 9: Here is the complete source file.

// MFCMultithreadingDlg.cpp : implementation file

//

#include "stdafx.h"
#include "MFCMultithreading.h"
#include "MFCMultithreadingDlg.h"
#include "afxdialogex.h"

#ifdef _DEBUG
#define new DEBUG_NEW
#endif

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

// CMFCMultithreadingDlg dialog

int currValue;
int maxValue;
BOOL stopNow;

CMFCMultithreadingDlg::CMFCMultithreadingDlg(CWnd* pParent /*=NULL*/)

: CDialogEx(IDD_MFCMULTITHREADING_DIALOG, pParent)
{
m_hIcon = AfxGetApp()->LoadIcon(IDR_MAINFRAME);
}

void CMFCMultithreadingDlg::DoDataExchange(CDataExchange* pDX)

{
CDialogEx::DoDataExchange(pDX);
DDX_Control(pDX, IDC_STATIC_TEXT, m_ctrlStatus);
}

BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CMFCMultithreadingDlg, CDialogEx)
ON_WM_PAINT()
ON_WM_QUERYDRAGICON()
ON_BN_CLICKED(IDC_BUTTON_START,
&CMFCMultithreadingDlg::OnBnClickedButtonStart)
ON_WM_TIMER()
ON_BN_CLICKED(IDC_BUTTON_STOP,
&CMFCMultithreadingDlg::OnBnClickedButtonStop)
END_MESSAGE_MAP()

// CMFCMultithreadingDlg message handlers

BOOL CMFCMultithreadingDlg::OnInitDialog()
{
CDialogEx::OnInitDialog();

// Set the icon for this dialog. The framework does this automatically
// when the application's main window is not a dialog
SetIcon(m_hIcon, TRUE); // Set big icon

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

SetIcon(m_hIcon, FALSE); // Set small icon

// TODO: Add extra initialization here

return TRUE; // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
}

// If you add a minimize button to your dialog, you will need the code below
// to draw the icon. For MFC applications using the document/view model,
// this is automatically done for you by the framework.

void CMFCMultithreadingDlg::OnPaint()
{
if (IsIconic())
{
CPaintDC dc(this); // device context for painting

SendMessage(WM_ICONERASEBKGND,
reinterpret_cast<WPARAM>(dc.GetSafeHdc()), 0);

// Center icon in client rectangle

int cxIcon = GetSystemMetrics(SM_CXICON);
int cyIcon = GetSystemMetrics(SM_CYICON);
CRect rect;
GetClientRect(&rect);
int x = (rect.Width() - cxIcon + 1) / 2;
int y = (rect.Height() - cyIcon + 1) / 2;

// Draw the icon

dc.DrawIcon(x, y, m_hIcon);
}
else
{
CDialogEx::OnPaint();
}
}

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

// The system calls this function to obtain the cursor to display while the
user drags
// the minimized window.
HCURSOR CMFCMultithreadingDlg::OnQueryDragIcon()
{
return static_cast<HCURSOR>(m_hIcon);
}

UINT /*CThreadDlg::*/MyThreadProc(LPVOID Param) //Sample function for using in

AfxBeginThread
{
while (!stopNow && (currValue < maxValue))
{
currValue++;
Sleep(50); // would do some work here
}

return TRUE;
}

void CMFCMultithreadingDlg::OnBnClickedButtonStart()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
currValue = 0;
maxValue = 5000;
stopNow = 0;
m_ctrlStatus.SetWindowText(L"Starting...");
SetTimer(1234, 333, 0); // 3 times per second

AfxBeginThread(MyThreadProc, 0); // <<== START THE THREAD

}

void CMFCMultithreadingDlg::OnTimer(UINT_PTR nIDEvent)

{
// TODO: Add your message handler code here and/or call default
CString sStatusMsg;
sStatusMsg.Format(L"Running: %d", currValue);

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

m_ctrlStatus.SetWindowText(sStatusMsg);

CDialogEx::OnTimer(nIDEvent);
}

void CMFCMultithreadingDlg::OnBnClickedButtonStop()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
stopNow = TRUE;
KillTimer(1234);
m_ctrlStatus.SetWindowText(L"Stopped");
}

Step 10: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Step 11: Now click on Start Thread button.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 12: Click the Stop Thread button. It will stop the thread.

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366
 23. MFC - Internet Programming Microsoft Foundation Classes

Microsoft provides many APIs for programming both client and server applications. Many
new applications are being written for the Internet, and as technologies, browser
capabilities, and security options change, new types of applications will be written. Your
custom application can retrieve information and provide data on the Internet.

MFC provides a class CSocket for writing network communications programs with
Windows Sockets.

Here is a list of methods in CSocket class.

Name Description
Attaches a SOCKET handle to a CSocket
Attach
object.
Cancels a blocking call that is currently in
CancelBlockingCall
progress.
Create Creates a socket.
Returns a pointer to a CSocket object, given
FromHandle
a SOCKET handle.
Determines whether a blocking call is in
IsBlocking
progress.

Let us look into a simple example by creating a MFS SDI application.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 1: Enter MFCServer in the name field and click OK.

Step 2: On Advanced Features tab, check the Windows sockets option.

Step 3: Once the project is created, add a new MFC class CServerSocket.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 4: Select the CSocket as base class and click Finish.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 5: Add more MFC class CReceivingSocket.

Step 6: CRecevingSocket will receive incoming messages from client.

In CMFCServerApp, the header file includes the following files:

#include "ServerSocket.h"
#include "MFCServerView.h"

Step 7: Add the following two class variables in CMFCServerApp class.

CServerSocket m_serverSocket;
CMFCServerView m_pServerView;

Step 8: In CMFCServerApp::InitInstance() method, create the socket and specify the port
and then call the Listen method as shown below.

m_serverSocket.Create(6666);
m_serverSocket.Listen();

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 9: Include the following header file in CMFCServerView header file.

#include "MFCServerDoc.h"

Step 10: Override the OnAccept function from Socket class.

Step 11: Select CServerSocket in class view and the highlighted icon in Properties window.
Now, Add OnAccept. Here is the implementation of OnAccept function.

void CServerSocket::OnAccept(int nErrorCode)

{
// TODO: Add your specialized code here and/or call the base class
AfxMessageBox(L"Connection accepted");
CSocket::OnAccept(nErrorCode);
}

Step 12: Add OnReceive() function.

void CServerSocket::OnReceive(int nErrorCode)

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

{ // TODO: Add your specialized code here and/or call the base class
AfxMessageBox(L"Data Received");
CSocket::OnReceive(nErrorCode);}

Step 13: Add OnReceive() function in CReceivingSocket class.

Right-click on the CMFCServerView class in solution explorer and select Add -> Add
Function.

Step 14: Enter the above mentioned information and click finish.

Step 15: Add the following CStringArray variable in CMFCServerView header file.

CStringArray m_msgArray;

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 16: Here is the implementation of AddMsg() function.

void CMFCServerView::AddMsg(CString message)

{
m_msgArray.Add(message);
Invalidate();
}

Step 17: Update the constructor as shown in the following code.

CMFCServerView::CMFCServerView()
{
((CMFCServerApp*)AfxGetApp())->m_pServerView = this;

Step 18: Here is the implementation of OnDraw() function, which display messages.

void CMFCServerView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
int y = 100;
for (int i = 0; m_msgArray.GetSize(); i++)
{
pDC->TextOut(100, y, m_msgArray.GetAt(i));
y += 50;
}
CMFCServerDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();
ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);
if (!pDoc)
return;

// TODO: add draw code for native data here

}

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 19: The server side is now complete. It will receive message from the client.

Create Client Side Application

Step 1: Let us create a new MFC dialog based application for client side application.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 2: On Advanced Features tab, check the Windows sockets option as shown above.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 3: Once the project is created, design your dialog box as shown in the following
snapshot.

Step 4: Add event handlers for Connect and Send buttons.

376
 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 5: Add value variables for all the three edit controls. For port edit control, select the
variable type UINT.

Step 6: Add MFC class for connecting and sending messages.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 7: Include the header file of CClientSocket class in the header file
CMFCClientDemoApp class and add the class variable. Similarly, add the class variable in
CMFCClientDemoDlg header file as well.

CClientSocket m_clientSocket;

Step 8: Here is the implementation of Connect button event handler.

void CMFCClientDemoDlg::OnBnClickedButtonConnect()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);
m_clientSocket.Create();
if (m_clientSocket.Connect(m_ipAddress, m_port))
{
AfxMessageBox(L"Connection Successfull");
}
else

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

{
AfxMessageBox(L"Connection Failed");
}
DWORD error = GetLastError();
}

Step 9: Here is the implementation of Send button event handler.

void CMFCClientDemoDlg::OnBnClickedButtonSend()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);
if (m_clientSocket.Send(m_message.GetBuffer(m_message.GetLength()),
m_message.GetLength()))
{
}
else
{
AfxMessageBox(L"Failed to send message");
}
}

Step 10: First run the Server application and then the client application. Enter the local
host ip and port and click Connect.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 11: You will now see the message on Server side as shown in the following snapshot.

380
 24. MFC - GDI Microsoft Foundation Classes

Windows provides a variety of drawing tools to use in device contexts. It provides pens to
draw lines, brushes to fill interiors, and fonts to draw text. MFC provides graphic-object
classes equivalent to the drawing tools in Windows.

Drawing
A device context is a Windows data structure containing information about the drawing
attributes of a device such as a display or a printer. All drawing calls are made through a
device-context object, which encapsulates the Windows APIs for drawing lines, shapes,
and text.

Device contexts allow device-independent drawing in Windows. Device contexts can be

used to draw to the screen, to the printer, or to a metafile.

CDC is the most fundamental class to draw in MFC. The CDC object provides member
functions to perform the basic drawing steps, as well as members for working with a
display context associated with the client area of a window.

Here is a list of methods in CDC class.

Name Description
Terminates the current print job, erasing everything the
AbortDoc application has written to the device since the last call of
the StartDoc member function.
AbortPath Closes and discards any paths in the device context.
Copies the comment from a buffer into a specified
AddMetaFileComment
enhanced-format metafile.
Displays bitmaps that have transparent or semitransparent
AlphaBlend
pixels.
Draws a line segment and an arc, and moves the current
AngleArc
position to the ending point of the arc.
Arc Draws an elliptical arc.
Draws an elliptical arc. This function is similar to Arc,
ArcTo
except that the current position is updated.
Attach Attaches a Windows device context to this CDC object.
BeginPath Opens a path bracket in the device context.
BitBlt Copies a bitmap from a specified device context.
Draws a chord (a closed figure bounded by the intersection
Chord
of an ellipse and a line segment).
CloseFigure Closes an open figure in a path.
Creates a memory-device context that is compatible with
CreateCompatibleDC another device context. You can use it to prepare images
in memory.
CreateDC Creates a device context for a specific device.
Creates an information context for a specific device. This
CreateIC provides a fast way to get information about the device
without creating a device context.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Deletes the Windows device context associated with this

DeleteDC
CDC object.
Called by the CWinApp idle-time handler to delete any
DeleteTempMap temporary CDC object created by FromHandle. Also
detaches the device context.
Detaches the Windows device context from this CDC
Detach
object.
DPtoHIMETRIC Converts device units into HIMETRIC units.
DPtoLP Converts device units into logical units.
Draw3dRect Draws a three-dimensional rectangle.
DrawDragRect Erases and redraws a rectangle as it is dragged.
DrawEdge Draws the edges of a rectangle.
Accesses drawing capabilities of a video display that are
DrawEscape not directly available through the graphics device interface
(GDI).
DrawFocusRect Draws a rectangle in the style used to indicate focus.
DrawFrameControl Draw a frame control.
DrawIcon Draws an icon.
Displays an image and applies a visual effect to indicate a
DrawState
state.
DrawText Draws formatted text in the specified rectangle.
Draws formatted text in the specified rectangle using
DrawTextEx
additional formats.
Ellipse Draws an ellipse.
EndDoc Ends a print job started by the StartDoc member function.
EndPage Informs the device driver that a page is ending.
Closes a path bracket and selects the path defined by the
EndPath
bracket into the device context.
Enumerates the pens and brushes available in a device
EnumObjects
context.
Allows applications to access facilities that are not directly
available from a particular device through GDI. Also allows
Escape
access to Windows escape functions. Escape calls made by
an application are translated and sent to the device driver.
Creates a new clipping region that consists of the existing
ExcludeClipRect
clipping region minus the specified rectangle.
Prevents drawing within invalid areas of a window by
ExcludeUpdateRgn excluding an updated region in the window from a clipping
region.
Fills an area with the current brush. Provides more
ExtFloodFill
flexibility than the FloodFill member function.
Writes a character string within a rectangular region using
ExtTextOut
the currently selected font.
Closes any open figures in the current path and fills the
FillPath path's interior by using the current brush and polygon-
filling mode.
FillRect Fills a given rectangle by using a specific brush.
FillRgn Fills a specific region with the specified brush.
FillSolidRect Fills a rectangle with a solid color.
Transforms any curves in the path selected into the current
FlattenPath device context, and turns each curve into a sequence of
lines.
FloodFill Fills an area with the current brush.

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FrameRect Draws a border around a rectangle.

FrameRgn Draws a border around a specific region using a brush.
Returns a pointer to a CDC object when given a handle to
FromHandle a device context. If a CDC object is not attached to the
handle, a temporary CDC object is created and attached.
GetArcDirection Returns the current arc direction for the device context.
GetAspectRatioFilter Retrieves the setting for the current aspect-ratio filter.
GetBkColor Retrieves the current background color.
GetBkMode Retrieves the background mode.
Returns the current accumulated bounding rectangle for
GetBoundsRect
the specified device context.
GetBrushOrg Retrieves the origin of the current brush.
Retrieves the widths, in logical units, of consecutive
GetCharABCWidths
characters in a given range from the current font.
Retrieves the widths, in logical units, of consecutive glyph
GetCharABCWidthsI
indices in a specified range from the current TrueType font.
Retrieves various types of information on a character
GetCharacterPlacement
string.
Retrieves the fractional widths of consecutive characters in
GetCharWidth
a given range from the current font.
Retrieves the widths, in logical coordinates, of consecutive
GetCharWidthI
glyph indices in a specified range from the current font.
Retrieves the dimensions of the tightest bounding
GetClipBox
rectangle around the current clipping boundary.
Retrieves the color adjustment values for the device
GetColorAdjustment
context.
Returns a pointer to the currently selected CBitmap
GetCurrentBitmap
object.
GetCurrentBrush Returns a pointer to the currently selected CBrush object.
GetCurrentFont Returns a pointer to the currently selected CFont object.
Returns a pointer to the currently selected CPalette
GetCurrentPalette
object.
GetCurrentPen Returns a pointer to the currently selected CPen object.
Retrieves the current position of the pen (in logical
GetCurrentPosition
coordinates).
GetDCBrushColor Retrieves the current brush color.
GetDCPenColor Retrieves the current pen color.
Retrieves a specified kind of device-specific information
GetDeviceCaps
about a given display device's capabilities.
Retrieves font metric information from a scalable font file.
The information to retrieve is identified by specifying an
GetFontData
offset into the font file and the length of the information to
return.
Returns information about the currently selected font for
GetFontLanguageInfo
the specified display context.
Retrieves the outline curve or bitmap for an outline
GetGlyphOutline
character in the current font.
Retrieves the current graphics mode for the specified
GetGraphicsMode
device context.
GetHalftoneBrush Retrieves a halftone brush.
Retrieves the character kerning pairs for the font that is
GetKerningPairs
currently selected in the specified device context.

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Retrieves the layout of a device context (DC). The layout

GetLayout can be either left to right (default) or right to left
(mirrored).
GetMapMode Retrieves the current mapping mode.
GetMiterLimit Returns the miter limit for the device context.
Retrieves the closest logical color to a specified logical color
GetNearestColor
that the given device can represent.
GetOutlineTextMetrics Retrieves font metric information for TrueType fonts.
Retrieves the widths of individual characters in a
GetOutputCharWidth consecutive group of characters from the current font using
the output device context.
GetOutputTabbedTextE Computes the width and height of a character string on the
xtent output device context.
Computes the width and height of a line of text on the
GetOutputTextExtent output device context using the current font to determine
the dimensions.
Retrieves the metrics for the current font from the output
GetOutputTextMetrics
device context.
Retrieves the coordinates defining the endpoints of lines
GetPath and the control points of curves found in the path that is
selected into the device context.
Retrieves the RGB color value of the pixel at the specified
GetPixel
point.
GetPolyFillMode Retrieves the current polygon-filling mode.
GetROP2 Retrieves the current drawing mode.
GetSafeHdc Returns m_hDC, the output device context.
GetStretchBltMode Retrieves the current bitmap-stretching mode.
Computes the width and height of a character string on the
GetTabbedTextExtent
attribute device context.
GetTextAlign Retrieves the text-alignment flags.
Retrieves the current setting for the amount of
GetTextCharacterExtra
intercharacter spacing.
GetTextColor Retrieves the current text color.
Computes the width and height of a line of text on the
GetTextExtent attribute device context using the current font to
determine the dimensions.
Retrieves the number of characters in a specified string
GetTextExtentExPointI that will fit within a specified space and fills an array with
the text extent for each of those characters.
Retrieves the width and height of the specified array of
GetTextExtentPointI
glyph indices.
Copies the typeface name of the current font into a buffer
GetTextFace
as a null-terminated string.
Retrieves the metrics for the current font from the attribute
GetTextMetrics
device context.
GetViewportExt Retrieves the x- and y-extents of the viewport.
GetViewportOrg Retrieves the x- and y-coordinates of the viewport origin.
Returns the window associated with the display device
GetWindow
context.
GetWindowExt Retrieves the x- and y-extents of the associated window.
Retrieves the x- and y-coordinates of the origin of the
GetWindowOrg
associated window.

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Retrieves the current world-space to page-space

GetWorldTransform
transformation.
Fills rectangle and triangle structures with a gradating
GradientFill
color.
GrayString Draws dimmed (grayed) text at the given location.
HIMETRICtoDP Converts HIMETRIC units into device units.
HIMETRICtoLP Converts HIMETRIC units into logical units.
Creates a new clipping region by forming the intersection
IntersectClipRect
of the current region and a rectangle.
InvertRect Inverts the contents of a rectangle.
InvertRgn Inverts the colors in a region.
Determines whether the device context is being used for
IsPrinting
printing.
Draws a line from the current position up to, but not
LineTo
including, a point.
LPtoDP Converts logical units into device units.
LPtoHIMETRIC Converts logical units into HIMETRIC units.
Combines the color data for the source and destination
MaskBlt
bitmaps using the given mask and raster operation.
Changes the world transformation for a device context
ModifyWorldTransform
using the specified mode.
MoveTo Moves the current position.
OffsetClipRgn Moves the clipping region of the given device.
Modifies the viewport origin relative to the coordinates of
OffsetViewportOrg
the current viewport origin.
Modifies the window origin relative to the coordinates of
OffsetWindowOrg
the current window origin.
PaintRgn Fills a region with the selected brush.
PatBlt Creates a bit pattern.
Pie Draws a pie-shaped wedge.
Plays the contents of the specified metafile on the given
device. The enhanced version of PlayMetaFile displays
PlayMetaFile
the picture stored in the given enhanced-format metafile.
The metafile can be played any number of times.
Performs a bit-block transfer of the bits of color data from
PlgBlt the specified rectangle in the source device context to the
specified parallelogram in the given device context.
Draws one or more Bzier splines. The current position is
PolyBezier
neither used nor updated.
Draws one or more Bzier splines, and moves the current
PolyBezierTo
position to the ending point of the last Bzier spline.
Draws a set of line segments and Bzier splines. This
PolyDraw
function updates the current position.
Draws a polygon consisting of two or more points (vertices)
Polygon
connected by lines.
Draws a set of line segments connecting the specified
Polyline
points.
Draws one or more straight lines and moves the current
PolylineTo
position to the ending point of the last line.
Creates two or more polygons that are filled using the
PolyPolygon current polygon-filling mode. The polygons may be disjoint
or they may overlap.

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Draws multiple series of connected line segments. The

PolyPolyline current position is neither used nor updated by this
function.
Specifies whether the given point is within the clipping
PtVisible
region.
Maps palette entries in the current logical palette to the
RealizePalette
system palette.
Draws a rectangle using the current pen and fills it using
Rectangle
the current brush.
Determines whether any part of the given rectangle lies
RectVisible
within the clipping region.
ReleaseAttribDC Releases m_hAttribDC, the attribute device context.
ReleaseOutputDC Releases m_hDC, the output device context.
ResetDC Updates the m_hAttribDC device context.
Restores the device context to a previous state saved with
RestoreDC
SaveDC.
Draws a rectangle with rounded corners using the current
RoundRect
pen and filled using the current brush.
SaveDC Saves the current state of the device context.
ScaleViewportExt Modifies the viewport extent relative to the current values.
ScaleWindowExt Modifies the window extents relative to the current values.
ScrollDC Scrolls a rectangle of bits horizontally and vertically.
Selects the current path as a clipping region for the device
SelectClipPath context, combining the new region with any existing
clipping region by using the specified mode.
Combines the given region with the current clipping region
SelectClipRgn
by using the specified mode.
SelectObject Selects a GDI drawing object such as a pen.
SelectPalette Selects the logical palette.
Selects one of the predefined stock pens, brushes, or fonts
SelectStockObject
provided by Windows.
Sets a programmer-supplied callback function that
SetAbortProc
Windows calls if a print job must be aborted.
Sets the drawing direction to be used for arc and rectangle
SetArcDirection
functions.
SetAttribDC Sets m_hAttribDC, the attribute device context.
SetBkColor Sets the current background color.
SetBkMode Sets the background mode.
Controls the accumulation of bounding-rectangle
SetBoundsRect
information for the specified device context.
Specifies the origin for the next brush selected into a
SetBrushOrg
device context.
Sets the color adjustment values for the device context
SetColorAdjustment
using the specified values.
SetDCBrushColor Sets the current brush color.
SetDCPenColor Sets the current pen color.
Sets the current graphics mode for the specified device
SetGraphicsMode
context.
SetLayout Changes the layout of a device context (DC).
SetMapMode Sets the current mapping mode.
Alters the algorithm that the font mapper uses when it
SetMapperFlags
maps logical fonts to physical fonts.

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Sets the limit for the length of miter joins for the device
SetMiterLimit
context.
SetOutputDC Sets m_hDC, the output device context.
Sets the pixel at the specified point to the closest
SetPixel
approximation of the specified color.
Sets the pixel at the specified coordinates to the closest
approximation of the specified color. SetPixelV is faster
SetPixelV
than SetPixel because it does not need to return the color
value of the point actually painted.
SetPolyFillMode Sets the polygon-filling mode.
SetROP2 Sets the current drawing mode.
SetStretchBltMode Sets the bitmap-stretching mode.
SetTextAlign Sets the text-alignment flags.
SetTextCharacterExtra Sets the amount of intercharacter spacing.
SetTextColor Sets the text color.
SetTextJustification Adds space to the break characters in a string.
SetViewportExt Sets the x- and y-extents of the viewport.
SetViewportOrg Sets the viewport origin.
SetWindowExt Sets the x- and y-extents of the associated window.
SetWindowOrg Sets the window origin of the device context.
Sets the current world-space to page-space
SetWorldTransform
transformation.
StartDoc Informs the device driver that a new print job is starting.
StartPage Informs the device driver that a new page is starting.
Moves a bitmap from a source rectangle and device into a
destination rectangle, stretching or compressing the
StretchBlt
bitmap if necessary to fit the dimensions of the destination
rectangle.
Closes any open figures in a path, strikes the outline of the
StrokeAndFillPath path by using the current pen, and fills its interior by using
the current brush.
StrokePath Renders the specified path by using the current pen.
Writes a character string at a specified location, expanding
TabbedTextOut tabs to the values specified in an array of tab-stop
positions.
Writes a character string at a specified location using the
TextOut
currently selected font.
Transfers a bit-block of color data from the specified source
TransparentBlt device context into a destination device context, rendering
a specified color transparent in the transfer.
Updates the client area of the device context by matching
UpdateColors the current colors in the client area to the system palette
on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
Redefines the current path as the area that would be
WidenPath painted if the path were stroked using the pen currently
selected into the device context.

Lines
Step 1: Let us look into a simple example by creating a new MFC based single document
project with MFCGDIDemo name.

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Step 2: Once the project is created, go the Solution Explorer and double click on the
MFCGDIDemoView.cpp file under the Source Files folder.

Step 3: Draw the line as shown below in CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw() method.

void CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
pDC->MoveTo(95, 125);
pDC->LineTo(230, 125);
CMFCGDIDemoDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();
ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);
if (!pDoc)
return;

// TODO: add draw code for native data here

}

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Step 4: Run this application. You will see the following output.

Step 5: The CDC::MoveTo() method is used to set the starting position of a line.

When using LineTo(), the program starts from the MoveTo() point to the LineTo() end.

After LineTo() when you do not call MoveTo(), and call again LineTo() with other point
value, the program will draw a line from the previous LineTo() to the new LineTo() point.

Step 6: To draw different lines, you can use this property as shown in the following code.

void CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{ pDC->MoveTo(95, 125);
pDC->LineTo(230, 125);
pDC->LineTo(230, 225);
pDC->LineTo(95, 325);
CMFCGDIDemoDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();
ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);
if (!pDoc)
return;
// TODO: add draw code for native data here }

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Step 7: Run this application. You will see the following output.

Polylines
A polyline is a series of connected lines. The lines are stored in an array of POINT or
CPoint values. To draw a polyline, you use the CDC::Polyline() method. To draw a polyline,
at least two points are required. If you define more than two points, each line after the
first would be drawn from the previous point to the next point until all points have been
included.

Step 1: Let us look into a simple example.

void CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
CPoint Pt[7];
Pt[0] = CPoint(20, 150);
Pt[1] = CPoint(180, 150);
Pt[2] = CPoint(180, 20);

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

pDC->Polyline(Pt, 3);

CMFCGDIDemoDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();

ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);
if (!pDoc)
return;

// TODO: add draw code for native data here

Step 2: When you run this application, you will see the following output.

Rectangles
A rectangle is a geometric figure made of four sides that compose four right angles. Like
the line, to draw a rectangle, you must define where it starts and where it ends. To draw
a rectangle, you can use the CDC::Rectangle() method.

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Step 1: Let us look into a simple example.

void CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
pDC->Rectangle(15, 15, 250, 160);

CMFCGDIDemoDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();

ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);
if (!pDoc)
return;

// TODO: add draw code for native data here

}

Step 2: When you run this application, you will see the following output.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Squares
A square is a geometric figure made of four sides that compose four right angles, but
each side must be equal in length.

Let us look into a simple example.

void CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
pDC->Rectangle(15, 15, 250, 250);

CMFCGDIDemoDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();

ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);
if (!pDoc)
return;

// TODO: add draw code for native data here

}

When you run this application, you will see the following output.

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Pies
A pie is a fraction of an ellipse delimited by two lines that span from the center of the
ellipse to one side each. To draw a pie, you can use the CDC::Pie() method as shown
below:

BOOL Pie(int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2, int x3, int y3, int x4, int y4);

 The (x1, y1) point determines the upper-left corner of the rectangle in which the
ellipse that represents the pie fits. The (x2, y2) point is the bottom-right corner
of the rectangle.

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 The (x3, y3) point specifies the starting corner of the pie in a default
counterclockwise direction.
 The (x4, y4) point species the end point of the pie.

Let us look into a simple example.

void CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
pDC->Pie(40, 20, 226, 144, 155, 32, 202, 115);

CMFCGDIDemoDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();

ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);
if (!pDoc)
return;

// TODO: add draw code for native data here

}

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Step 2: When you run this application, you will see the following output.

Arcs
An arc is a portion or segment of an ellipse, meaning an arc is a non-complete ellipse. To
draw an arc, you can use the CDC::Arc() method.

BOOL Arc(int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2, int x3, int y3, int x4, int y4);

The CDC class is equipped with the SetArcDirection() method.

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Here is the syntax:

int SetArcDirection(int nArcDirection)

Value Orientation
AD_CLOCKWISE The figure is drawn clockwise
AD_COUNTERCLOCKWISE The figure is drawn counterclockwise

Step 1: Let us look into a simple example.

void CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
pDC->SetArcDirection(AD_COUNTERCLOCKWISE);
pDC->Arc(20, 20, 226, 144, 202, 115, 105, 32);

CMFCGDIDemoDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();

ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);
if (!pDoc)
return;

// TODO: add draw code for native data here

}

Step 2: When you run this application, you will see the following output.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Chords
The arcs we have drawn so far are considered open figures because they are made of a
line that has a beginning and an end (unlike a circle or a rectangle that do not). A chord
is an arc whose two ends are connected by a straight line.

To draw a chord, you can use the CDC::Chord() method.

BOOL Chord(int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2, int x3, int y3, int x4, int y4);

Let us look into a simple example.

void CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
pDC->SetArcDirection(AD_CLOCKWISE);
pDC->Chord(20, 20, 226, 144, 202, 115, 105, 32);
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CMFCGDIDemoDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();

ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);
if (!pDoc)
return;

// TODO: add draw code for native data here

}

When you run the above application, you will see the following output.

The arc direction in this example is set clockwise.

Colors
The color is one the most fundamental objects that enhances the aesthetic appearance of
an object. The color is a non-spatial object that is added to an object to modify some of
its visual aspects. The MFC library, combined with the Win32 API, provides various actions
you can use to take advantage of the various aspects of colors.

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The RGB macro behaves like a function and allows you to pass three numeric values
separated by a comma. Each value must be between 0 and 255 as shown in the following
code.

void CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
COLORREF color = RGB(239, 15, 225);
}

Let us look into a simple example.

void CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
COLORREF color = RGB(239, 15, 225);
pDC->SetTextColor(color);
pDC->TextOut(100, 80, L"MFC GDI Tutorial", 16);

CMFCGDIDemoDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();

ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);
if (!pDoc)
return;

// TODO: add draw code for native data here

}

When you run this application, you will see the following output.

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 Microsoft Foundation Classes

Fonts
CFont encapsulates a Windows graphics device interface (GDI) font and provides member
functions for manipulating the font. To use a CFont object, construct a CFont object and
attach a Windows font to it, and then use the object's member functions to manipulate
the font.

Here is a list of methods in CFont class.

Name Description
CreateFont Initializes a CFont with the specified characteristics.
Initializes a CFont object with the characteristics
CreateFontIndirect
given in a LOGFONT structure.
Initializes a CFont with the specified height,
CreatePointFont
measured in tenths of a point, and typeface.
Same as CreateFontIndirect except that the font
CreatePointFontIndirect height is measured in tenths of a point rather than
logical units.
Returns a pointer to a CFont object when given a
FromHandle
Windows HFONT.
Fills a LOGFONT with information about the logical
GetLogFont
font attached to the CFont object.

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Let us look into a simple example.

void CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
CFont font;
font.CreatePointFont(920, L"Garamond");
CFont *pFont = pDC->SelectObject(&font);
COLORREF color = RGB(239, 15, 225);
pDC->SetTextColor(color);
pDC->TextOut(100, 80, L"MFC GDI Tutorial", 16);
pDC->SelectObject(pFont);
font.DeleteObject();

CMFCGDIDemoDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();

ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);
if (!pDoc)
return;

// TODO: add draw code for native data here

}

When you run the above application, you will see the following output.

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Pens
A pen is a tool used to draw lines and curves on a device context. In the graphics
programming, a pen is also used to draw the borders of a geometric closed shape such as
a rectangle or a polygon. Microsoft Windows considers two types of pens — cosmetic and
geometric.

A pen is referred to as cosmetic when it can be used to draw only simple lines of a fixed
width, less than or equal to 1 pixel. A pen is geometric when it can assume different widths
and various ends. MFC provides a class CPen which encapsulates a Windows graphics
device interface (GDI) pen.

Here is a list of methods in CPen class.

Name Description
Creates a logical cosmetic or geometric pen
CreatePen with the specified style, width, and brush
attributes, and attaches it to the CPen object.
Creates a pen with the style, width, and color
CreatePenIndirect given in a LOGPEN structure, and attaches it
to the CPen object.
Returns a pointer to a CPen object when
FromHandle
given a Windows HPEN.
GetExtLogPen Gets an EXTLOGPEN underlying structure.
GetLogPen Gets a LOGPEN underlying structure.

Here the different style values for pen:

Value Description
PS_SOLID A continuous solid line.
PS_DASH A continuous line with dashed interruptions.
PS_DOT A line with a dot interruption at every other pixel.
A combination of alternating dashed and dotted
PS_DASHDOT
points.
A combination of dash and double dotted
PS_DASHDOTDOT
interruptions.
PS_NULL No visible line.
A line drawn just inside of the border of a closed
PS_INSIDEFRAME
shape.

Let us look into a simple example.

void CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
CPen pen;
pen.CreatePen(PS_DASHDOTDOT, 1, RGB(160, 75, 90));
pDC->SelectObject(&pen);
pDC->Rectangle(25, 35, 250, 125);

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CMFCGDIDemoDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();

ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);
if (!pDoc)
return;

// TODO: add draw code for native data here

}

When you run the above application, you will see the following output.

Brushes
A brush is a drawing tool used to fill out closed shaped or the interior of lines. A brush
behaves like picking up a bucket of paint and pouring it somewhere. MFC provides a class
CBrush which encapsulates a Windows graphics device interface (GDI) brush.

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Here is a list of methods in CBrush class.

Name Description
Initializes a brush with the style, color, and pattern
CreateBrushIndirect
specified in a LOGBRUSH structure.
Initializes a brush with a pattern specified by a
CreateDIBPatternBrush
device-independent bitmap (DIB).
Initializes a brush with the specified hatched pattern
CreateHatchBrush
and color.
Initializes a brush with a pattern specified by a
CreatePatternBrush
bitmap.
CreateSolidBrush Initializes a brush with the specified solid color.
CreateSysColorBrush Creates a brush that is the default system color.
Returns a pointer to a CBrush object when given a
FromHandle
handle to a Windows HBRUSH object.
GetLogBrush Gets a LOGBRUSH structure.

Let us look into a simple example.

void CMFCGDIDemoView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)

{
CBrush brush(RGB(100, 150, 200));
CBrush *pBrush = pDC->SelectObject(&brush);
pDC->Rectangle(25, 35, 250, 125);
pDC->SelectObject(pBrush);

CMFCGDIDemoDoc* pDoc = GetDocument();

ASSERT_VALID(pDoc);
if (!pDoc)
return;

// TODO: add draw code for native data here

}

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When you run this application, you will see the following output.

406
 25. MFC - Libraries Microsoft Foundation Classes

A library is a group of functions, classes, or other resources that can be made available
to programs that need already implemented entities without the need to know how these
functions, classes, or resources were created or how they function. A library makes it easy
for a programmer to use functions, classes, and resources etc. created by another person
or company and trust that this external source is reliable and efficient. Some unique
features related to libraries are:

 A library is created and functions like a normal regular program, using functions
or other resources and communicating with other programs.

 To implement its functionality, a library contains functions that other programs

would need to complete their functionality.

 At the same time, a library may use some functions that other programs would
not need.

 The program that uses the library, are also called the clients of the library.

There are two types of functions you will create or include in your libraries:

 An internal function is one used only by the library itself and clients of the library
will not need access to these functions.

 External functions are those that can be accessed by the clients of the library.

There are two broad categories of libraries you will deal with in your programs:

 Static libraries
 Dynamic libraries

Static Library
A static library is a file that contains functions, classes, or resources that an external
program can use to complement its functionality. To use a library, the programmer has to
create a link to it. The project can be a console application, a Win32 or an MFC application.
The library file has the lib extension.

407
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Step 1: Let us look into a simple example of static library by creating a new Win32 Project.

408
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Step 2: On Application Wizard dialog box, choose the Static Library option.

Step 3: Click Finish to continue.

409
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Step 4: Right-click on the project in solution explorer and add a header file from Add ->
New Item…menu option.

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Step 5: Enter Calculator.h in the Name field and click Add.

Add the following code in the header file:

#pragma once
#ifndef _CALCULATOR_H_
#define _CALCULATOR_H_
double Min(const double *Numbers, const int Count);
double Max(const double *Numbers, const int Count);
double Sum(const double *Numbers, const int Count);
double Average(const double *Numbers, const int Count);
long GreatestCommonDivisor(long Nbr1, long Nbr2);
#endif // _CALCULATOR_H_

Step 6: Add a source (*.cpp) file in the project.

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Step 7: Enter Calculator.cpp in the Name field and click Add.

Step 8: Add the following code in the *.cpp file:

#include "StdAfx.h"
#include "Calculator.h"
double Min(const double *Nbr, const int Total)
{ double Minimum = Nbr[0];
for (int i = 0; i < Total; i++)
if (Minimum > Nbr[i])
Minimum = Nbr[i];
return Minimum;
}
double Max(const double *Nbr, const int Total)
{
double Maximum = Nbr[0];
for (int i = 0; i < Total; i++)
if (Maximum < Nbr[i])
Maximum = Nbr[i];
return Maximum;
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}
double Sum(const double *Nbr, const int Total)
{
double S = 0;
for (int i = 0; i < Total; i++)
S += Nbr[i];
return S;
}
double Average(const double *Nbr, const int Total)
{
double avg, S = 0;
for (int i = 0; i < Total; i++)
S += Nbr[i];
avg = S / Total;
return avg;
}
long GreatestCommonDivisor(long Nbr1, long Nbr2)
{ while (true)
{
Nbr1 = Nbr1 % Nbr2;
if (Nbr1 == 0)
return Nbr2;
Nbr2 = Nbr2 % Nbr1;
if (Nbr2 == 0)
return Nbr1;
}}

Step 9: Build this library from the main menu, by clicking Build -> Build MFCLib.

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Step 10: When library is built successfully, it will display the above message.

Step 11: To use these functions from the library, let us add another MFC dialog application
based from File -> New -> Project.

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Step 12: Go to the MFCLib\Debug folder and copy the header file and *.lib files to the
MFCLibTest project as shown in the following snapshot.

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Step 13: To add the library to the current project, on the main menu, click Project -> Add
Existing Item and select MFCLib.lib.

Step 14: Design your dialog box as shown in the following snapshot.

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Step 15: Add value variable for both edit controls of value type double.
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Step 16: Add value variable for Static text control, which is at the end of the dialog box.

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Step 17: Add the event handler for Calculate button.

To add functionality from the library, we need to include the header file in
CMFCLibTestDlg.cpp file.

#include "stdafx.h"
#include "MFCLibTest.h"
#include "MFCLibTestDlg.h"
#include "afxdialogex.h"
#include "Calculator.h"

Step 18: Here is the implementation of button event handler.

void CMFCLibTestDlg::OnBnClickedButtonCal()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);

CString strTemp;

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double numbers[2];
numbers[0] = m_Num1;
numbers[1] = m_Num2;
strTemp.Format(L"%.2f", Max(numbers,2));
m_strText.Append(L"Max is:\t" + strTemp);

strTemp.Format(L"%.2f", Min(numbers, 2));

m_strText.Append(L"\nMin is:\t" + strTemp);

strTemp.Format(L"%.2f", Sum(numbers, 2));

m_strText.Append(L"\nSum is:\t" + strTemp);

strTemp.Format(L"%.2f", Average(numbers, 2));

m_strText.Append(L"\nAverage is:\t" + strTemp);

strTemp.Format(L"%d", GreatestCommonDivisor(m_Num1, m_Num2));

m_strText.Append(L"\nGDC is:\t" + strTemp);

UpdateData(FALSE);
}

Step 19: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

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Step 20: Enter two values in the edit field and click Calculate. You will now see the result
after calculating from the library.

Dynamic Library
A Win32 DLL is a library that can be made available to programs that run on a Microsoft
Windows computer. As a normal library, it is made of functions and/or other resources
grouped in a file.

The DLL abbreviation stands for Dynamic Link Library. This means that, as opposed to a
static library, a DLL allows the programmer to decide on when and how other applications
will be linked to this type of library.

For example, a DLL allows difference applications to use its library as they see fit and as
necessary. In fact, applications created on different programming environments can use
functions or resources stored in one particular DLL. For this reason, an application
dynamically links to the library.

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Step 1: Let us look into a simple example by creating a new Win32 Project.

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Step 2: In the Application Type section, click the DLL radio button.

Step 3: Click Finish to continue.

Step 4: Add the following functions in MFCDynamicLib.cpp file and expose its definitions
by using:

extern "C" _declspec(dllexport)

Step 5: Use the _declspec(dllexport) modifier for each function that will be accessed
outside the DLL.

// MFCDynamicLib.cpp : Defines the exported functions for the DLL application.

//

#include "stdafx.h"

extern "C" _declspec(dllexport) double Min(const double *Numbers, const int

Count);
extern "C" _declspec(dllexport) double Max(const double *Numbers, const int
Count);

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extern "C" _declspec(dllexport) double Sum(const double *Numbers, const int

Count);
extern "C" _declspec(dllexport) double Average(const double *Numbers, const int
Count);
extern "C" _declspec(dllexport) long GreatestCommonDivisor(long Nbr1, long
Nbr2);

double Min(const double *Nbr, const int Total)

{
double Minimum = Nbr[0];
for (int i = 0; i < Total; i++)
if (Minimum > Nbr[i])
Minimum = Nbr[i];
return Minimum;
}
double Max(const double *Nbr, const int Total)
{
double Maximum = Nbr[0];
for (int i = 0; i < Total; i++)
if (Maximum < Nbr[i])
Maximum = Nbr[i];
return Maximum;
}
double Sum(const double *Nbr, const int Total)
{
double S = 0;
for (int i = 0; i < Total; i++)
S += Nbr[i];
return S;
}
double Average(const double *Nbr, const int Total)
{
double avg, S = 0;
for (int i = 0; i < Total; i++)
S += Nbr[i];
avg = S / Total;
return avg;
}

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long GreatestCommonDivisor(long Nbr1, long Nbr2)

{
while (true)
{
Nbr1 = Nbr1 % Nbr2;
if (Nbr1 == 0)
return Nbr2;
Nbr2 = Nbr2 % Nbr1;
if (Nbr2 == 0)
return Nbr1;
}
}

Step 6: To create the DLL, on the main menu, click Build > Build MFCDynamicLib from
the main menu.

Step 7: Once the DLL is successfully created, you will see amessage display in output
window.

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Step 8: Open Windows Explorer and then the Debug folder of the current project.

Step 9: Notice that a file with dll extension and another file with lib extension has been
created.

Step 10: To test this file with dll extension, we need to create a new MFC dialog based
application from File -> New --> Project.

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Step 11: Go to the MFCDynamicLib\Debug folder and copy the *.dll and *.lib files to the
MFCLibTest project as shown in the following snapshot.

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Step 12: To add the DLL to the current project, on the main menu, click Project -> Add
Existing Item and then, select MFCDynamicLib.lib file.

Step 13: Design your dialog box as shown in the following snapshot.

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Step 14: Add value variable for both edit controls of value type double.

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Step 15: Add value variable for Static text control, which is at the end of the dialog box.

Step 16: Add the event handler for Calculate button.

Step 17: In the project that is using the DLL, each function that will be accessed must be
declared using the _declspec(dllimport) modifier.

Step 18: Add the following function declaration in MFCLibTestDlg.cpp file.

extern "C" _declspec(dllimport) double Min(const double *Numbers, const int

Count);
extern "C" _declspec(dllimport) double Max(const double *Numbers, const int
Count);
extern "C" _declspec(dllimport) double Sum(const double *Numbers, const int
Count);
extern "C" _declspec(dllimport) double Average(const double *Numbers, const int
Count);
extern "C" _declspec(dllimport) long GreatestCommonDivisor(long Nbr1, long
Nbr2);

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Step 19: Here is the implementation of button event handler.

void CMFCLibTestDlg::OnBnClickedButtonCal()
{
// TODO: Add your control notification handler code here
UpdateData(TRUE);

CString strTemp;
double numbers[2];
numbers[0] = m_Num1;
numbers[1] = m_Num2;
strTemp.Format(L"%.2f", Max(numbers,2));
m_strText.Append(L"Max is:\t" + strTemp);

strTemp.Format(L"%.2f", Min(numbers, 2));

m_strText.Append(L"\nMin is:\t" + strTemp);

strTemp.Format(L"%.2f", Sum(numbers, 2));

m_strText.Append(L"\nSum is:\t" + strTemp);

strTemp.Format(L"%.2f", Average(numbers, 2));

m_strText.Append(L"\nAverage is:\t" + strTemp);

strTemp.Format(L"%d", GreatestCommonDivisor(m_Num1, m_Num2));

m_strText.Append(L"\nGDC is:\t" + strTemp);

UpdateData(FALSE);
}

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Step 20: When the above code is compiled and executed, you will see the following output.

Step 21: Enter two values in the edit field and click Calculate. You will now see the result
after calculating from the DLL.

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