About how hard it is on earth for learning MFC, this should vary from person to person. If you are experienced programmers started from the base Windows OS, you'd likely have been a member of programmers developing the MFC class libraries; on the contrary, if you just have learned few years of Windows programming, then you may have not any knowledge on the underlying system. In the latter case, you must have one book on your desk for reference anytime (every technology needs this). For MFC, it will be Programming Windows with MFC.

First of all, if you are curious why we still adhered to release this outdated version, just think that's only for a few guys or use environments that still need it - just want to develop a simple desktop tool for lower versions of Windows platforms quickly, for example. So, if its not for the purpose of learning the Programming Windows, Fifth Edition, you don't need it any more!

C# (read as 'C Sharp')  is a simple, modern, object-oriented, and type-safe programming language derived from C and C++, which attempts to combine the rapid development ability of Visual Basic and the powerful flexible feature of C++. Programmers who understand the C or C++ will be able to become familiar with C# at once.