---
description: "Learn more about: C++/CX Language Reference"
title: "C++/CX Language Reference"
ms.date: "09/15/2017"
ms.assetid: 3f6abf92-4e5e-4ed8-8e11-f9252380d30a
---
# 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)](./wrl/windows-runtime-cpp-template-library-wrl.md).

> [!NOTE]
> **[C++/WinRT](/windows/uwp/cpp-and-winrt-apis/index) 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 10 SDK from version 1803 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-compliant 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](/windows/uwp/cpp-and-winrt-apis/index).

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)](/windows/uwp/get-started/create-a-basic-windows-10-app-in-cpp).

- C++ Windows Runtime components that can be consumed by JavaScript-based Windows apps. For more information, see [Creating Windows Runtime Components in C++](/windows/uwp/winrt-components/creating-windows-runtime-components-in-cpp).

- Windows DirectX games and graphics-intensive apps. For more information, see [Create a simple UWP Game with DirectX](/windows/uwp/gaming/tutorial--create-your-first-uwp-directx-game).

## Related articles

| Link | Description |
|--|--|
| [Quick Reference](../cppcx/quick-reference-c-cx.md) | Table of keywords and operators for C++/CX. |
| [Type System](../cppcx/type-system-c-cx.md) | 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](../cppcx/building-apps-and-libraries-c-cx.md) | Discusses how to use the IDE to build apps and link to static libraries and DLLs. |
| [Interoperating with Other Languages](../cppcx/interoperating-with-other-languages-c-cx.md) | 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](../cppcx/threading-and-marshaling-c-cx.md) | Discusses how to specify the threading and marshaling behavior of components that you create. |
| [Namespaces Reference](../cppcx/namespaces-reference-c-cx.md) | Reference documentation for the default namespace, the Platform namespace, Platform::Collections, and related namespaces. |
| [CRT functions not supported in Universal Windows Platform apps](../cppcx/crt-functions-not-supported-in-universal-windows-platform-apps.md) | Lists the CRT functions that are not available for use in Windows Runtime apps. |
| [Get started with Windows 10 apps](/windows/uwp/get-started/) | Provides high-level guidance about Windows 10 apps and links to more information. |
| [C++/CX Part 0 of \[n\]: An Introduction](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/ccx-part-0-of-n-an-introduction/)<br /><br />[C++/CX Part 1 of \[n\]: A Simple Class](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/ccx-part-1-of-n-a-simple-class/)<br /><br />[C++/CX Part 2 of \[n\]: Types That Wear Hats](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/ccx-part-2-of-n-types-that-wear-hats/)<br /><br />[C++/CX Part 3 of \[n\]: Under Construction](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/ccx-part-3-of-n-under-construction/)<br /><br />[C++/CX Part 4 of \[n\]: Static Member Functions](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/ccx-part-4-of-n-static-member-functions/)| An introductory blog series on C++/CX. |