Hi, Hilmar.

>>I have no idea why MS recommends using unmanaged C++...I only know that they do.
>
>Wouldn't that be for speed? I believe that managed code - useful though it is for many purposes, can't reach the performance levels of compiled code.

Well, C++.NET unmanaged code is still .NET in some way.

I think it is not a matter of performance. Compiler optimizers are so clever that some times managed code can be even faster than unmanaged code.

But unmanaged code is needed becuase fo its own nature. At some point you HAVE to access memory or hardware directly (like Craig said, for device drivers, for example). And -of course- the framework has to be written in something. 8-)

The beauty of C++.NET is that you can perfectly interact between managed and unmaneged code, co you can keep your unmanaged snippets as small as needed, while relying on the Framework for everything else.

Going to the original question: Yes, I think that .NET is the Universal Hammer (for the Windows platform, until now).

But VFP is in a good position by now. It is the only tool from MS that is alive to produce COM applications (except C++, of course). It is a niche position, but an interesting one.

See you,