Developing MS-Excel type application

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March 23rd, 2006, 05:49 AM
humble_learner

Developing MS-Excel type application

Hi,

We are supposed to be involved in a new project where we are to develop an application - similar to excel. The application is an MDI similar to MS Excel where multiple instances (document instances) can exist inside a frame.

Can someone please give me pointers to designing the framework for such an application using VC++ ?

Thanks
March 23rd, 2006, 06:02 AM
ovidiucucu

Re: Developing MS-Excel type application

For the beginning, start MFC AppWizard and follow step by step instructions. You'll have the framework in less than 30 seconds.
March 23rd, 2006, 06:12 AM
gstercken

Re: Developing MS-Excel type application

In addition to what Ovidiu said: Make sure that you select CScrollView as your initial view class in AppWizard.
March 23rd, 2006, 08:14 AM
humble_learner

Re: Developing MS-Excel type application

Thanks for all your replies.
I have an additional question. I was asked why one would prefer to do this project using VC++ and why not use C# to develop this.
Can someone please give some suggestions over why VC++ scores over C# as a language in developing such applications ?
March 23rd, 2006, 08:38 AM
gstercken

Re: Developing MS-Excel type application

Quote:

Originally Posted by humble_learner

I have an additional question. I was asked why one would prefer to do this project using VC++ and why not use C# to develop this.

That's a good question, indeed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by humble_learner

Can someone please give some suggestions over why VC++ scores over C# as a language in developing such applications ?

No idea... Old habits? Or maybe if you need to interface a lot with existing C/C++ code? In any other case, I would do such an application in C# with .NET 2.0 nowadays.
March 23rd, 2006, 08:54 AM
miteshpandey

Re: Developing MS-Excel type application

The following is a link to an Apache Open Source Project called POI dealing with Microsoft Excel Files. The platform is JAVA. Might be helpful to you.

JAKARTA - POI

You can easily port the JAVA code to VC++ (MFC) or C# if you are familiar with the languages.
March 29th, 2006, 02:34 AM
humble_learner

1 Attachment(s)

Re: Developing MS-Excel type application

Basically, I need to develop an MDI with excel type windows as child frames. Am attaching a prototype of the application here.
If someone could give pointers as to which MFC controls or View classes could be used to achieve this, it would be really helpful.
I wondered if View classes derived from CListView with CListCtrl control embedded would help - but it seems to be quite complex.

Please check the attachment. (Have zipped it to save on space)
March 29th, 2006, 03:03 AM
ovidiucucu

Re: Developing MS-Excel type application

Quote:

Originally Posted by humble_learner

Basically, I need to develop an MDI with excel type windows as child frames. Am attaching a prototype of the application here.
If someone could give pointers as to which MFC controls or View classes could be used to achieve this, it would be really helpful.
I wondered if View classes derived from CListView with CListCtrl control embedded would help - but it seems to be quite complex.

That's it. Everytime a software application "seems to be quite complex". ;)

Well, closer to your needs is a grid control like this one from Codeguru articles:
MFC Grid control.
See also:
Using the GridCtrl in a View.
March 29th, 2006, 06:20 AM
reset-leo

Re: Developing MS-Excel type application

Quote:

Originally Posted by gstercken

No idea... Old habits? Or maybe if you need to interface a lot with existing C/C++ code? In any other case, I would do such an application in C# with .NET 2.0 nowadays.

i do ABSOLUTELY agree with gstercken in this point! if there is no "old" code or need for hardware-access, use c#, which is MUCH easier to use. especially when you are not yet too familiar with MFC, you should really consider a move to .NET.