MICROSOFT MAKES LEARNING VISUAL C++ EASIER

New Standard Edition of High-End Development Tool Is Microsoft's Response
To Demands of Academia and Novice Developers

REDMOND, WASH. - FEB. 19, 1996 - Microsoft Corp. today announced the
Microsoft Visual C++ development system version 4.0, Standard Edition for
Windows operating system-based development. The Standard Edition is
designed for entry-level programmers who want to take advantage of the
powerful C++ language and the Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC).

Visual C++ version 4.0, Standard Edition includes step-by-step tutorials,
wizards and MFC object-oriented libraries that make it easy to create
powerful Windows-based applications. Visual C++ 4.0, Standard Edition also
includes the award-winning Visual C++ 1.52 product for 16-bit development,
which makes learning both 16-bit and 32-bit development easy. Standard
Edition developers can easily scale up to the Professional and
Subscription editions, since code is completely compatible with these
advanced versions.

"We designed this new product, our first entry-level 32-bit development
system for the Windows 95 and Windows NT& operating systems, with the
anticipation of creating a new generation of programmers for Windows and
MFC," said Denis Gilbert, general manager for the Visual C++ product unit
at Microsoft.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Visual C++ version 4.0, Standard Edition provides the following features
and benefits:

 Customers can learn virtually everything they need to be proficient
 users of the Professional and Subscription editions.

 Leading-edge C++ features include templates, exceptions, run-time
 type information (RTTI), name spaces, and the Standard Template
 Library (STL).

 Considerable learning materials are included:

   More than 3,000 pages of easy-to-use online documentation

   A comprehensive printed tutorial to help developers learn C++
   and guide them step by step through developing professional
   applications

   Working examples of practical applications that use industry-
   standard technologies such as OLE, ODBC and DAO

   Online abridged versions of the best-selling "Inside Visual
   C++" book series from Microsoft Press, which shows developers
   how to write great applications for Windows using Visual C++
   1.52 and Visual C++ 4.0

   A special Microsoft Developer Network "sampler" that
   provides instant access to important information for C++ and
   MFC programmers

   Consistent user interface and wizards that help developers learn
   virtually everything they need to be proficient users of the
   Professional and Subscription editions.  (The Standard Edition
   has the same user interface and helpful wizards as the Professional
   Edition.)

As their skills improve, developers can use code in the Visual C++ 4.0
Professional or Visual C++ Subscription products, which include these
additional features:

 An optimizing compiler
 A profiler
 Statically linked MFC libraries
 The ability to add additional tools to the development environment
   (e.g., Fortran PowerStation, Visual Test and SourceSafe)
 Third-party tools such as WinCIMSM, Installshield and Crystal Reports

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Microsoft Visual C++ 4.0, Standard Edition is scheduled to be available in
March 1996 for approximately $99, or $85 retail after the $15 mail-in
rebate. An Academic Edition is available at a discounted price to students
for $49. Multiple licenses are available for academic institutions. To
obtain Visual C++ 4.0, Standard Edition, customers should contact their
local software dealer or call Microsoft at (800) 719-5577.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take
advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
 
 =========================================================
 From the 'New Product News' Electronic News Service on...
 AOL (Keyword = New Products) and Delphi (GO COMP PROD)
 =========================================================
 This information was processed from data provided by the
 company/author mentioned. For additional details, please
 contact them directly at the address/phone# indicated.
 Trademarks are the property of their respective owners!
 =========================================================
 All submissions for this service should be addressed to:
 BAKER ENTERPRISES,  20 Ferro Dr,  Sewell, NJ  08080  USA
 Email:   rbakerpc@aol.com   --or--   rbakerpc@delphi.com
 =========================================================
