MFC Applications | Developer Resources

Microsoft Foundation Classes

MFC is a C++ class library that wraps Win32 API, providing object-oriented abstractions for Windows programming. It enables rapid development of professional desktop applications with features like document/view architecture, toolbars, and property sheets.

Why MFC in 2025?

Mature Framework: Battle-tested over 30 years
Rich UI Components: Ribbon, property grids, docking
Document/View: Clean separation of data and presentation
Enterprise Ready: Thousands of production applications

Creating an MFC Application

Visual Studio provides MFC Application Wizard for quick project setup.

// MyApp.h - Application class
class CMyApp : public CWinApp
{
public:
    virtual BOOL InitInstance();
    DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP()
};

// MyApp.cpp
BOOL CMyApp::InitInstance()
{
    CWinApp::InitInstance();
    
    // Create main frame
    CMainFrame* pFrame = new CMainFrame;
    if (!pFrame->LoadFrame(IDR_MAINFRAME))
        return FALSE;
    
    m_pMainWnd = pFrame;
    pFrame->ShowWindow(SW_SHOW);
    pFrame->UpdateWindow();
    
    return TRUE;
}
            

Document/View Architecture

// Document class - holds your data
class CMyDocument : public CDocument
{
protected:
    CString m_strContent;
    
public:
    virtual BOOL OnNewDocument();
    virtual void Serialize(CArchive& ar);
    
    void SetContent(const CString& str) { m_strContent = str; }
    CString GetContent() const { return m_strContent; }
};

// View class - displays the data
class CMyView : public CView
{
protected:
    virtual void OnDraw(CDC* pDC);
    
    afx_msg void OnLButtonDown(UINT nFlags, CPoint point);
    DECLARE_MESSAGE_MAP()
};

void CMyView::OnDraw(CDC* pDC)
{
    CMyDocument* pDoc = GetDocument();
    pDC->TextOut(10, 10, pDoc->GetContent());
}
            

Modern MFC Features

Office-Style Ribbon

// Create ribbon bar
CMFCRibbonBar m_wndRibbonBar;
m_wndRibbonBar.Create(this);

// Add category
CMFCRibbonCategory* pCategory = 
    m_wndRibbonBar.AddCategory(_T("Home"), IDB_HOME_LARGE, IDB_HOME_SMALL);

// Add panel
CMFCRibbonPanel* pPanel = pCategory->AddPanel(_T("Actions"));

// Add buttons
pPanel->Add(new CMFCRibbonButton(ID_FILE_NEW, _T("New"), 0, 0));
pPanel->Add(new CMFCRibbonButton(ID_FILE_OPEN, _T("Open"), 1, 1));
            

Docking Panes

// Create dockable pane
CDockablePane m_wndProperties;
m_wndProperties.Create(_T("Properties"), this, CRect(0, 0, 200, 400),
    TRUE, ID_VIEW_PROPERTIES,
    WS_CHILD | WS_VISIBLE | CBRS_LEFT);

m_wndProperties.EnableDocking(CBRS_ALIGN_ANY);
DockPane(&m_wndProperties);
            

UltraFluidModeler

Check out UltraFluidModelerNET - a real-world example of what's possible with MFC: a professional modeling tool with ribbon UI, property grid, tabbed documents, and infinite zoom/pan.

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🎨 MFC Applications