Setup Help: Platform SDK
Hi there I'd just like to tell you something which has caused me an hour or so distress which maybe you could fix up. This happened while setting up the Microsoft Platform SDK for Windows Server 2003 R2 after installing VC++ Express Edition. Please note I am just starting out programming in C++, although I do know how to code Visual Basic 6.
Firstly while following after following the video to set it up, after completing that, I tried to build a sample program, but it kept on skipping the build. Finally I figured out that I needed to change a field in the program up the top from Itanium to win32. I don't know if thats just a weird case or not.
After fixing that, it then kept on coming up with errors in the build, for the two example programs I downloaded, CPUID said it was missing windows.h, and CALC said it was missing the user32.lib file. I figured this was to do with mistyping in the VC++ directories field, but there were not obvious errors at all. After going through a lot of different iterations, I finally tried putting the entries not only in the executables files directory, but also putting the approriate references in the include files and library files directories. Then it finally worked. Also note $(ProgramFiles) works, not $(Program Files) as was said in the video, although the text used the full address (with drive letter). Its pretty hard when its this complicated just to set up the bloody environment when tyring to make a start in programming.
Hope you can note and hopefully fix my troubles in the future.
[1571 byte] By [
ivo] at [2007-12-25]
 _ivo_ wrote: |
| [1] I figured out that I needed to change a field in the program up the top from Itanium to win32. I don't know if thats just a weird case or not. [2] After going through a lot of different iterations, I finally tried putting the entries not only in the executables files directory, but also putting the approriate references in the include files and library files directories. Then it finally worked. Also note $(ProgramFiles) works, not $(Program Files) as was said in the video, although the text used the full address (with drive letter). [3] Its pretty hard when its this complicated just to set up the bloody environment when tyring to make a start in programming. |
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1. Choice of the incorrect target (e.g., Itanium instead of win32) sometimes occurs when using a project that was developed with a version of Visual Studio other than Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition. You're correct that this is something to watch out for. There are several places on this forum where that has come up. It's not clear where this warning should be placed. Perhaps we need a folder of sticky posts that are like a FAQ of things to check first. Then there could perhaps be a link from the VC++ 2005 Express Edition page.
2. The video on installing the platform SDK is incorrect. The modifications you found are correct. it would be good for Microsoft to take down or replace the video, since it will mislead someone who doesn't have an understanding about the file settings already. I cringed when I first saw it. The Brian Johnson instructions are the accurate ones. I'll see if responding to a "contact us" link can get some action. That often works.
Follow-up: I did submit a feedback on the web page. I'm not sure it was successful (I was taken through a Passport logon -- why for a web-page feedback, I don't know -- and was dropped on an empty page after that). I did notice that there is now a comment under the link to the video that says step 3 of Brian Johnson's instructions should be used. I commented that this is probably not something a beginner will notice and will probably not understand how to apply to what happens in the video.
3. I agree. It seems to me we are seeing how difficult it is for people who have some mastery of a subject to think like a beginner and anticipate where it is too easy to stumble. I was listening to Steve Wozniak speak last night. He talked about how he learned computers and came to design and build the Apple 1 and Apple 2 computers. It reminded me that the motto of the Heathkit Company (whose H8 Computer kit was the first one I built myself, in 1977) was "We won't let you fail." Heathkit is no more, and I'm not sure anyone else has picked up the motto and the attitude that goes with it. Clearly, there is no Heathkit for beginning in computing and programming. I'm not sure how that will improve. Maybe it is just with enthusiasts and beginners helping each other on forums like this.
- Dennis
Sigh. If only I didn't follow the video. But it was the easiest option, and I unfortunately didn't pick up on the subtle differences between it and the text help. Yeh definetly see if you can take it down or change it, I'm not sure if you are the right person I should be asking that of dennis, but if not, maybe some over person of significance will come across this.
Also why can't this be done automatically? You would probably be given a choice of whether you want to do it, but it seems relatively simple to do. Although I might not know, because sometimes things which seem incredibly simple to do to a human are actually hard to put into code. Now to start figuring out C++!
Thanks for your empathy and helpfulness there, and lets hope microsoft can pick up its act sometime.
ivo at 2007-8-31 >
