Cross Ref > Tool Basics

You can use any of the many free and commercially available installation packages.

In Visual Studio.Net, you can create a Setup and Deployment project by using any of the templates available on the New Project dialog (Other Project Types).

C++Builder 2007 and 2009 are bundled with InstallAware Express CodeGear Edition installer.

With PHP, you simply copy your files to a web server that is capable of running PHP pages.

Many compilers and development tools are available. Common development tools include Microsoft Visual C++, CodeGear C++Builder, and Eclipse.

With Visual C++ you use Microsoft's C++ syntax variations based on standard C++ or Microsoft's new C++/CLI syntax standard.

With C++Builder, you code using standard C++ with early support for the upcoming C++0x standard and using the VCL/RTL libraries. The VCL/RTL libraries are in common with Delphi which is based on Object Pascal. Within a project, C++Builder can use both C++ units and Delphi units.

With most C++ tools, you can also use your favorite C and C++ libraries too.

Many developers just use a text editor. There are many PHP editors available including phpDesigner, and Delphi for PHP.

Important standard C++ file extensions:

• .CPP = C++ Source file. Your startup source file will have a main() routine.
• .C = C source file (sometimes used for C++ source files too).
• .H = Header include file.

Some important Visual C++ file extensions:

• .SLN = Visual Studio.Net solution
• .VCPRJ = The Visual C++ project file. See Project Files and Makefiles for more information.

Some important C++Builder file extensions:

• .BDSPROJ and .CBPROJ = Project file.

 Ref: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3awe4781(VS.80).aspx

.php is the default extension for PHP although some developers will change the default extension in an effort to add an additional security level. If your code is tied to a particular version of PHP then some developers at the major PHP version number to the extension as in .php3, .php4, .php5, etc. 

.phtml is also sometimes used especially for files that contain both HTML and Perl code.

Language Overview: C++ is a hybrid traditional C and OOP language. You code either in a traditional approach using functions, procedures, and global data, or you code using an OOP approach, or a mixture of both.

Target Platforms: C++ is suitable for creating any type of native code applications for many different platforms. The focus of this information is on creating native code Win32 applications that run on Microsoft Windows.

PHP is a hybrid language with both traditional PHP and OOP features. PHP is widely-used general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited for web development and can be embedded into HTML. PHP has been used to create some amazing web content, particularly outstanding message boards.

Target Platforms: PHP is most suitable for creating websites targeting any browser (any web server with PHP installed).

Use any report writer you are comfortable with. C++Builder 2009 comes bundled with Rave Reports and Crystal Reports remains popular for Visual C++.

No built-in report writer but because website development targets a client browser (a document interfaced GUI), a common solution is to simply output an HTML formatted page with black text and a white background (not much control but it does work for some situations).