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I've done both VB and VC++ and they are different monsters.

VB takes care of the GUI for you. In VC++ you take care of the GUI. VB hides so much from you you don't realize it.

I'm doing some COM work in VB right now and I'm using a book that give both the C++ and VB aspects of COM. The book describes COM from a C++ perspective while giving VB examples. Believe me, it is a big jump from VB to C++.

If you have done API calls before, like handling GetOpenFileName calls, windows messaging (keystroke interceptng, etc), COM, OOP, then you are in a good position to learn VC++ rather quickly.

Depends on what you are doing really. The complexity you are referring to I would describe more as Windows programming. C++ is not that difficult, it uses the same programming constructs as any lanuage really. I write mostly server side stuff and don't have to deal with Windows too much.

I agree with you that the Windows side is much more complex.

I would say that he needs to get proficient with straight C/C++ first and then deal with the Windows stuff, if thats where he is heading. You're a lot better off learning them separately I think.