If you are new to Visual Studio 2010 you may not know how to create a solution or if you haven't used MSVS in a while you might need a refresher. This is intended to give you the needed steps to create a solution and get started with your code.
Even though this is written for 2010, it is more or less exactly the same in 2012. The key steps are to make an empty project and to add the file from the project menu.
Visual Studio calls the workspace where you will create your code a "solution". This is simply a container that will house your code and any related files that are needed, e.g. test files, etc.
Step 1: Start Visual Studio.
From the Start Page, look for the New Project. Click the New Project... button.
Step 2:
Make sure the Win32 Console Project is selected and enter a Name for the project in the spot for the name. Then press the OK button.
Step 3:
Now you are ready to check the Application Settings. Click the Words Application Settings
Step 4:
Make sure Console Application is selected and the Check box for Empty Project is Checked. Then press the Finish Button.
Now you are ready to add a file to type your code.
Step 1:
From the Project Menu, choose Add New Item or use the Keyboard short cut Crtl+Shift+A. Choose C++ File (.cpp) from the list.
Step 2:
In the name box, enter a name for your file. Usually something like main.cpp is good. Then press the Add Button.
Now you're ready to go start working on your code!