Visual C++ .Net is a Upgrade of sorts to Visual C++ 6 it has added features and the .net framework If you plan to go with a book that is made for visual c++ 6 i would go with visual c++ 6 because the book isproduct specific. Iwould suggest ditching the book Grabbing Visual C +++.net and getting C++ Primer a book that will teach you to program c++ and not just to use Microsoft version 6 of the IDE.