Escape Sequence

[shamas21]

Hi Guys

I was wondering if someone could be kind enough to tell me how I can stop VC++ from recognising the escape sequence i.e."\".

Im trying to reference a folder in my code by stating the full file path but I get an error message when I type in the following

String^ cn = @"Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source='C:\Documents" and Settings\'" 

Any ideas?

Thanks

[Gaminic]

I have no idea what a String^ is and what the @ does, but why do you have quotations inside your folder name? The colouring alone should notify you that part of it isn't part of the string literal any longer.

Also, use the '/' character for directories. That should work.

[Moschops]

I was wondering if someone could be kind enough to tell me how I can stop VC++ from recognising the escape sequence i.e."\".

Looks like you're actually coding in some kind of .NET language. That said, either use two such slashes, or just use the other slash.

String^ cn = @"Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source='C:\\Documents and Settings\\'"

or

String^ cn = @"Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source='C:/Documents and Settings/'"

[shamas21]

Many thanks guys... its works perfect now.

im getting used to programming in c++ - im naturally a VB & c# programmer.

Thanks again!

[1vRz3TCk]

I don't believe that C++/CLI supports verbatim sting literals [@] so you would have to drop that.

Edit:

... but I get an error message when ...

in the future it would be good to include the error messages that you get.

[shamas21]

Hi gaminic - just to follow on from your post, you said you dont know what a String^ is, but in Visual C++ i presumed this was the only way to declare a string variable i.e.

String^ variable = "This is a string variable";

Im presuming this isnt the best way or default way to declare a string variable? What should I do instead?

Thanks

[Gaminic]

string variable = "This is a string variable";?

You do have to include the <string> header though.

[shamas21]

ok great - many thanks for your help.

[1vRz3TCk]

shamas21 wrote:

but in Visual C++ i presumed this was the only way to declare a string variable

Visual C++ is not a language, it is an IDE. You can do C++ and C++/CLI projects, they are different languages, String^ variable = "This is a string variable"; is C++/CLI not C++. You can mix C++ in a C++/CLI project but it is not wise unless you know what you are doing.

[shamas21]

The reason why I use Visual C++ is because it comes with a Forms based environment i.e. C++/CLI.

So I can design and use buttons, textboxes, treeviews, listviews etc... in Visual C++ and still use the power of C++.

But unless im mistaken, I cant do this in other IDEs? I mean most of the application I have built in the past using VB and C# are Forms based projects, I mean how else can I get the user to interact with a program unless it Forms based? My understanding of the C++ is that not all IDEs provide Forms and that its not an easy task to build a Forms based project unless I use Visual C++?

Thanks

[Moschops]

I mean how else can I get the user to interact with a program unless it Forms based?

Presumably you mean buttons and textboxes and all that sort of thing, rather than just plain interaction.

You could just write the whole thing yourself. This would be a lot of work, though, and most people go with what are generally known as widget toolkits:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widget_toolkit

There are lots. Lots and lots and lots.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_widget_toolkits

[shamas21]

Oh I see. So I can create GUI interface through wiedgets. I didnt know I could do this. I presume the widgets are use with native C++, which I guess is better for me as I can learn the proper C++ programming language.

Thanks

[1vRz3TCk]

The Forms based projects in VC use a language design to 'extend' C++, it is called C++/CLI.

While it is possible to mix C++ with C++/CLI it is more of a pain than than a help. You will be constantly converting between managed and unmanaged types, probably forgetting what memory needs releasing an what doesn't, and so on.

If you want to learn C++ stay way from Forms based projects, look at something like wxWidgets or plain Windows API.

If you want to do Forms based projects, stick with C#.


Edit:
Sorry, but the blurring of C++ and C++/CLI by Microsoft is a bit of a bugbear of mine. Far to many beginners get mislead by this.

[shamas21]

Ok great. Thanks for the help.

Edit--

Sorry just more thing. So I can create native C++ program in Visual C++ right? So then shall I create my Forms based programs using an ALT program in VC++? and then use the wxWidgets?

Sorry to be a pain