C++/CX Language Reference

C++/CX is a set of extensions to the C++ language that enable the creation of Windows apps and Windows Runtime components in an idiom that is as close as possible to modern C++. Use C++/CX to write Windows apps and components in native code that easily interact with Visual C#, Visual Basic, and JavaScript, and other languages that support the Windows Runtime. In those rare cases that require direct access to the raw COM interfaces, or non-exceptional code, you can use the Windows Runtime C++ Template Library (WRL).

Note

C++/WinRT is the recommended alternative to C++/CX. It is a new, standard C++17 language projection for Windows Runtime APIs, available in the latest Windows SDK from version 1803 (10.0.17134.0) onward. C++/WinRT is implemented entirely in header files, and designed to provide you with first-class access to the modern Windows API.

With C++/WinRT, you can both consume and author Windows Runtime APIs using any standards-conformant C++17 compiler. C++/WinRT typically performs better and produces smaller binaries than any other language option for the Windows Runtime. We will continue to support C++/CX and WRL, but highly recommend that new applications use C++/WinRT. For more information, see C++/WinRT.

By using C++/CX, you can create:

• C++ Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps that use XAML to define the user interface and use the native stack. For more information, see Create a "hello world" app in C++ (UWP).

• C++ Windows Runtime components that can be consumed by JavaScript-based Windows apps. For more information, see Creating Windows Runtime Components in C++.

• Windows DirectX games and graphics-intensive apps. For more information, see Create a simple UWP Game with DirectX.

Related articles

Link	Description
Quick Reference	Table of keywords and operators for C++/CX.
Type System	Describes basic C++/CX types and programming constructs, and how to utilize C++/CX to consume and create Windows Runtime types.
Building apps and libraries	Discusses how to use the IDE to build apps and link to static libraries and DLLs.
Interoperating with Other Languages	Discusses how components that are written by using C++/CX can be used with components that are written in JavaScript, any managed language, or the Windows Runtime C++ Template Library.
Threading and Marshaling	Discusses how to specify the threading and marshaling behavior of components that you create.
Namespaces Reference	Reference documentation for the default namespace, the Platform namespace, Platform::Collections, and related namespaces.
CRT functions not supported in Universal Windows Platform apps	Lists the CRT functions that are not available for use in Windows Runtime apps.
Get started with Windows apps	Provides high-level guidance about Windows UWP apps and links to more information.
C++/CX Part 0 of [n]: An Introduction C++/CX Part 1 of [n]: A Simple Class C++/CX Part 2 of [n]: Types That Wear Hats C++/CX Part 3 of [n]: Under Construction C++/CX Part 4 of [n]: Static Member Functions	An introductory blog series on C++/CX.