Microsoft visual c++ express edition?

Question

whats the express part mean and is visual c++ different fron normal c++

Answer 1

C++ is the programming language and visual c++ is the software used to write this stuff (IDE - integrated development environment)

The express part refers to the edition.  Like standard and pro etc.  The express edition is a cut down version which is free for students, hobbyists etc and also amazingly for commercial use too so you can sell anything you make with it quite happily or use it in a business for small projects.  All it appears to be missing (I have used it myself) is the source code control (so you cant have multiple developers sharing code at the same time) and some of the cool tools.  But its not at all inferior.  Its just cant be scaled up for large environments is all,  Please note also that there is a seperate product for each language whereas the commercial visual studio can support all the relevant languages in one tool.  But just download the lot if need be.

Oh and I think the reason it is free is firstly it pushes the Microsoft.net platform, it keeps developers writing for the Windows platform and if students are using these tools then they are more likely to buy the expensive version when it comes to them working for a company :D