VC++ tutorial

A dialog box is a specialized window that is used to provide feedback or collect input from the user. Dialog boxes remain the prime mechanism for detailed data exchange between the application and user. The MFC libraries provide extensive support for template-based dialog boxes through the CDialog base class. A dialog box is a rectangle window whose main role is to host and hold other windows controls. dialog box is as a container.

it is the primary interface of user interaction with the computer. the role of dialog box between the user and the machine.A dialog boxes cannot be minimized, maximized or restored. a dialog box does not have any other system button but close. the user is not usually not allowed to continue any other operation until the dialog is dismissed. Dialog boxes are also used for one-way communication with a user, Dialog boxes are sometimes used to notify the user about the progress of a lengthy operation.

Modal Dialog Boxes: Take control of an application interface are required the users to supply information or cancel the dialog box before continuing with the application. Each Appwizard-genrated application provides an About dialog box, modal dialog boxes are used everywhere.

Modeless Dialog Boxes: Its takes the control of an application interface and require the user to supply information or cancel the dialog box before continuing with the application.

Adding a Dialog Box: For steps are usually used in Adding a dialog box:

1. Design and create a dialog box resource using the developer studio resource tools.
2. Use classWizard to create a c++ class derived from CDialog that will manage the dialog box.
3. Add function to handle messages sent to the dialog box. if needed.
4. if the dialog box is selected from the main menu, the menu resources must be modified and message handling function must be created using classwizared.