I've just looked up my homework and found that that I had to do a Project/Presentation on Microsoft .NET Development Tools and my sub-topic happens to be Visual C++. While doing research about it, I found out about Managed C++ and the recent advanced version C++/CLI by Microsoft.

I know Managed Extensions for C++ is just used to expose the .NET framework functionalities to C++. It's also adds the Garbage Collector Class __gc. But I heard it's now no longer in use.

C++/CLI could be counted as a new programming language cause the syntax is similar to C#. It also introduced the inclusion of ^ handlers, I think. and syntax change. Anyways, I'm wondering if the mscorlib.dll file, which was in Managed C++ still being used here? What functions does this file add to C++ program? System namesapace contains the Console::WriteLine() function, so it's not related to the file.

I'm only gonna use simple programs to explain the concept, cause it's only going to be an introduction from my part, featuring only the important parts of these. So for sure a Hello World! example will make me look stupid, since it's not much different in both syntax. I also need some good working examples for both MC++ and C++/CLI, which I'm trying to search.

There is also one thing that confuses me a lot. In most of the tutorials about C++/CLI and also some in MC++, I've seen them using _tmain(). I'm not sure about it. I've tried it in the VC++ and also the CMD compiler, but gives error. All I know for sure is that in C++ you have to have a main() function, any other shouldn't work.

If you have any good sites or info, related to the above, please give a link or mention it in your reply. I don't want tutorials to those. I'm not learning those languages (for now ^_~, maybe in future I might) I just want to know what makes it different from the native C++ and the new functionality.

I think I'm gonna have a nervous breakdown during the presentation. Argh! I'm really not at all good at talking and especially in front of people. >_> doesn't make much sense huh! But I get nervous like hell, and stammer and then forget what I should say, and end up repeating the same thing, which is really annoying >_<!