x64 compiler

need Windows SDK

Text Editor

Ctrl+] bring you to the matching brace

Alt+F8 to auto indent the region

the editor can be configured to use emacs shortcut keys

256x256 icon for exe

look at "app.rc" file; change the .ico file or modify the .rc file will change the icon for the compiled exe

but cannot make the 256x256 icon work under this version of Visual Studio

Microsoft Visual Studio 2008
Version 9.0.21022.8 RTM
Microsoft .NET Framework
Version 3.5

Installed Edition: VC Express

Microsoft Visual C++ 2008   91909-152-0000052-60125
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008

when I view the exe file in explorer, I cannot see the 256 icon when using the view "Large Icon", but "Small icon" will show the smaller version of my icon.

then tried a trial version of Axialis IconWorkshop, add PNG compression for the 256x256 icon and it worked.

Debug::WriteLine((cli::safe_cast(sender))->Tag); http://www.axialis.com/tutorials/tutorial-vistaicons.html

Deploy an application without VS 2008 Express

need run the target machine run vcredist_x86.exe to setup Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package (x86)

Create an array of controls and event handlers

Can make a new class inherited from base class such as:

http://bytes.com/forum/thread260527.html

Another way is to store data in the Tag property: 

private: System::Void Form1_Load(System::Object^  sender, System::EventArgs^  e) {
...
    butSessions = gcnew array <System::Windows::Forms::Button^> (nSession);
...
    for (int i = 0; i < nSession; i++) {
        butSessions[i] = gcnew System::Windows::Forms::Button();
        this->Controls->Add(butSessions[i]);
...
        butSessions[i]->Tag = i.ToString();
        butSessions[i]->Click += gcnew System::EventHandler(this, &Form1::bStart_Click);
    }
}
...
private: System::Void bStart_Click(System::Object^  sender, System::EventArgs^  e) {
    int i = Int32::Parse((cli::safe_cast<System::Windows::Forms::Button^>(sender))->Tag->ToString());
    Debug::WriteLine(i.ToString());
}
...

Run command from your program

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.diagnostics.process.aspx

References

private: System::Void bStart_Click(System::Object^ sender, System::EventArgs^ e) { http://www.catch22.net/