Developing MS-Excel type application

[humble_learner]

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

[ovidiucucu]

For the beginning, start MFC AppWizard and follow step by step instructions. You'll have the framework in less than 30 seconds.

[gstercken]

In addition to what Ovidiu said: Make sure that you select CScrollView as your initial view class in AppWizard.

[humble_learner]

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 ?

[gstercken]

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.

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.

[miteshpandey]

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.

[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.

Please check the attachment. (Have zipped it to save on space)

[ovidiucucu]

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.

[reset-leo]

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.