Visual C++ Tips

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• C++ Function Pointers Simplified!
  Background information Pointer is a variable which holds the address of another variable. Where, function pointer is again a variable which holds the address of a function. If you think pointers are evil, then function pointers must be Satan for you. Well, is there any easy way to create function pointers from function prototype? [...]
• How to Set Dialog as TopMost Window?
  I always wondered about popularity of Winamp. It has rich custom drawn UI, which made it stand out of the crowd. Did you noticed its “Always on top” feature and wondered about how its implemented? Its time to reveal the secret – How winamp implemented that feature – Staying at the top? You can use – [...]
• Microsoft MVP for Visual C++ for 2009-2010
  Dear All, With great pleasure, I would like to inform you that – with god’s grace, I’ve been awarded as Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for Visual C++. At this moment I would like to thank all my readers for supporting me and making this happen! Please go through my MVP profile. I really thank Microsoft for [...]
• How to Watch this Pointer – The Wizards Way!
  How to watch the this pointer? Just add ‘this’ to watch window. Everyone does like that. Isn’t it? But how Visual C++ wizards watch ‘this’ pointer? The secret is, visual C++ compiler passes this pointer via ECX register. So add (ClassName*)(@ECX) to watch window will give you this pointer. Have a look at the [...]
• How to get the CPU Name String?
  While taking the System properties, you have noticed the processor name string. For instance, in my laptop it is – “Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     T5250  @ 1.50GHz“. Ever though about how to get this processor name string? Image Courtesy – Wallpaper Mania. You can use the function – __cpuid(), which generates the instruction […]
• How to Change the Display Orientation?
  Are you using Windows XP? Press Ctrl+Atl+DownArrow, and then Ctrl+Atl+UpArrow. The screen changes its orientation upside down. isn’t it? But how to turn the screen, upside down programmatically? Image Courtesy – marieforleo.com Get the current DEVMODE by calling -EnumDisplaySettings(). Then change orientation by setting DEVMODE.dmDisplayOrientati […]
• How to Parse Virtual Table?
  Virtual Table is one of the most fascinating stuff for C++ programmer. Well, did you ever  peek into virtual table, which is the real engine of virtual functions? The first 4 bytes of an objects points to another pointer which points to virtual table. Casting it to DWORD*, we can parse all virtual functions. Once you [...]
• How to Delete Duplicate entries from STL containers?
  If you want to remove duplicate items, you can go for stl::set. But what to do if you want to delete duplicate data from other containers? Picture Courtesy – Squidoo You can use std::unique() algorithm to remove adjacent duplicate items. So at first, sort your data, then call std::unique(). Now all the duplicate data will be rearranged [...]
• How to Change the Icon of MFC application?
  When you create an MFC application, did you notice the icon of executable? Yes! its that same old icon. But I’ve seen other application with different icon. Well, how to set the icon of executable to give a new face for it? Image Courtesy – Flickr The secret is, windows will choose the first icon [...]
• How to measure Performance by using High Resolution Timer in Visual C++?
  Ever had a performance tweaking project? The first thing you need is a high resolution stop watch to measure performance of different code blocks. But is there a high resolution stop watch? You can use QueryPerformanceCounter(). You can get the performance counter frequency – i.e. ticks per second by calling QueryPerformanceFrequency(). Have a look at […]
• How to Set Console Text Color?
  Getting bored with the black and white console? Did you ever wish to change the text or background color of console? Image Courtesy – reginadowntown. Yes! You can use the api – SetConsoleTextAttribute(). See the code snippet below. // Set text color as Yellow with white background. SetConsoleTextAttribute( GetStdHandle( STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE ), FOREG […]
• Happy Birthday! WeSeeTips!!!
  Image Courtesy – Corbis Dear Visual C++ Enthusiasist, Today is the first birthday of WeSeeTips. When i start this blog, my dream target was 1000 hits and at least 10-20 visitors per day. But at present, weseetips have 1,20,000 hits and more than 500~600 daily visits! Thanks a lot for making weseetips a grand success! All the [...]
• How to Pass Array by Reference?
  We used to use arrays, a lot. But did you ever tried how to pass array by reference to another function? Yes. Its a bit tricky. Receiving arrays by reference have special syntax. The arrayname and & symbol should be enclosed in parenthesis. And you should specify the size of array. Have a look at the [...]
• How to blink LED’s in Keyboard?
  Do you remember those golden DOS days, where we access the video RAM directly and set the status of NumLock, ScrollLock etc and blink the LED of keyboard. Now in modern windows environment we are no more allowed to access the video RAM directly. But is there any way to blink the keyboard LEDs as [...]
• How to Assert on Object Slicing?
  What is Object Slicing? If derived object is assigned to Base object, then the derived object will be sliced off and only the base part will be copied. Indeed it will cause abnormalities. But is there any mechanism, atleast to assert while object slicing? You can do it by adding an overloaded constructor for derived in Base [...]