While C++ is a full-fledged programming language, Visual C++ itself is not a language. Instead, it is a set of development tools and libraries provided by Microsoft that makes it easier to create Windows desktop applications, server applications, Universal Windows Platform (UWP) projects, and .NET applications with C++. Microsoft Visual C++ ships with Visual Studio, Microsoft’s integrated development environment (IDE). Visual C++ in Visual Studio consists of libraries and tools for easier development and features its own compiler. Using Visual C++ allows a developer to get started more quickly by supplying pre-elements like Windows desktop and UI elements that would otherwise take a lot of time to build from scratch. Visual C++ only works on Windows platforms, so it is widely used by Windows developers but does not work for cross-platform applications.