Visual C++ Applications In An Eet Curriculum

Abstract

In this paper, Visual C++ applications are presented that utilize the Microsoft Visual Studio .Net Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) Baccalaureate program at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, continues to expand to include computer technology elective courses. One of the courses proposed is an EET course in Windows software development. This is consistent with a goal within the EET program to introduce students to current software development tools, and to enable students to utilize software to control PC hardware devices such as data acquisition boards. Visual C++ is an environment that can be used to meet these requirements.

The prerequisite for the material presented within this paper for learning Visual C++ includes a solid foundation in C/C++. However, as C/C++ continues to be an industry standard programming language, there is a need to provide Visual C++ Windows programming exposure to students within EET curriculums to meet industrial requirements.

Within this paper, several proposed Visual C++ applications, designed to be included in a Visual C++ course, are presented. The applications are presented in increasing levels of difficulty to aid in learning the language. The first project is the creation of a virtual calculator. The objective of this project is to introduce Windows programming. A second project is used to introduce the programming of a PC data acquisition (DAQ) board. This experiment emphasizes acquiring analog input data and displaying the mean and AC RMS values of the resulting data.

There are several objectives for the presentation of these applications within this paper. It provides a resource to aid instructors in the development of a Visual C++ programming course within their EET curriculums. It presents several practical experiments that can be utilized to help shorten the learning curve required for this programming language. It introduces a Windows programming environment to students to help meet industrial requirements. Finally, it presents an example of the integration of PC hardware and software.

I. Introduction to Visual C++ Windows Programming

As an aid to the development of visual C++ programming, the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) Application Wizard is utilized. 1 The AppWizard asks a series of questions about the type of application and the features and functionality for the application. It then creates the shell of the application containing the user interface and the application code. Based upon the shell of the application, the programmer modifies the application by adding control objects to the user interface, attaching variables to the controls, adding event handlers with the appropriate code to the controls, and compiling and executing the application.

"Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education"