What's next? A learning path

Once you have configured your C++ environment, what other steps are needed to really get started leveraging the ArcGIS Engine platform? This topic guides you through additional materials in the help system that will aide your learning and speed you on to actual development.
  1. If you are programming on either Solaris or Linux, you now need to initialize your ArcGIS Engine.

    You should also be aware that if a C++ API application crashes on Solaris or Linux, you need to run mwcleanup, as discussed in Solaris and Linux post-crash cleanup.
  2. ArcObjects is based on the Microsoft Component Object Model, or COM, and successful ArcObjects programming requires a basic understanding of COM. Read Building an understanding of COM and ArcObjects for information on developing COM knowledge and the ArcGIS system. The resources in that document are only a brief introduction. A more complete understanding of the ArcObjects system can be developed through the overviews in the Library Reference for each of the ArcGIS libraries and by taking ESRI courses targeted at ArcObjects programmers.
  3. Now you will begin to get into the details of the ArcObjects C++ API. To get started, step through one of these walkthroughs or quick starts. The one you complete should reflect your ArcObjects C++ goals:
  4. You should now be able to write your own applications using the ArcObjects C++ API.

    If you are programming on either Solaris or Linux, or if you are programming on Windows using the Visual Studio command-line tools, you will need to write a makefile to go with your application. Template makefiles have been provided for your use. Select the makefile appropriate for your developer environment and modify it as discussed in the Configuring your environment topic.
    Similarly, if you wrote code on one platform and now want to transfer it to another, simply copy your code to the supported platform you want to transfer it to, select and modify the appropriate makefile from above, and compile and run the application on the new platform.
  1. This introduction has not covered every piece of the C++ API. Another tool provided for you are the samples. To further your C++ API knowledge, as well as your understanding of the ArcObjects framework, read through and try some of the samples. For information on how to use the C++ samples, see How to use the C++ samples.
  2. There are important C++ API topics which have not been covered in this introduction. As you need additional information, refer to the following documents: