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Windows and Document Views

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Whether you are editing or debugging, the windows for the Visual C++ workspaces and document views are fully adjustable. You can position windows for a project according to your preferences. Each project can have its own settings.

Two common window types are document windows and docking windows. The position and size of document windows can be changed within the Visual C++ window. They can be maximized and minimized. Docking windows, however, attach to the borders of the application window, or float anywhere on your screen.

To see an example of a document window, you can create or open a text file. Examples of docking windows are the Project Workspace window, the Output window, and debugging windows, such as Variables, Watch, and Locals.

The layout for window types — that is, their visibility, position, and size — is associated either with a project, in the case of document windows, or with editing or debugging operations, in the case of docking windows.

Once you have chosen a layout, the settings for that layout are retained with the project you are working on. If you close a project and later open it again, the document windows have the last layout that you used: The same windows are open, and they have the same sizes and positions. When you create layouts of docking windows or toolbars, either for editing, debugging, or viewing in full-screen mode, those layouts are used for all subsequent sessions until you change them again.

Note   Some windows are neither document windows nor docking windows. For example, when you use a utility program listed on the Tools menu, such as Spy++, the characteristics of its windows are determined by the utility program.

What do you want to know more about?

Document windows

Floating or docking windows

Shortcut menus in windows

What do you want to do?

Learn window basics

Work with floating or docking windows