Thread: User Interface Programming

  1. 09-09-2011 #1
    Imanuel
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    User Interface Programming

    Hello,

    I have no practical experience designing a graphical user interface either in C/C++ or Java, C#, etc.

    This bothers me as a computer science student who is concerned important topics s these are not taught in current curriculum but I desire to learn.

    My interest is in GUI design in Windows or Mac and utilizing either a book or tutorial offering hands-on experience in a language that enables me to program a gui.

    I request recommendations from this community whose opinion I have come to respect as authoritative.
  2. 09-09-2011 #2
    AndrewHunter
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    Well, the responses to this are dependent on:
    1. The language you would like to use to implement your GUI
    2. The platform you wish to design for

    GUI are OS specific and the libraries for their development are language specific. Perhaps you could specify these items so we could point you in the right direction. (for the pedantic, assuming windows you could create your own class design in C++ for implementing the interface via the windows API and likewise for other implementations).
    Quote Originally Posted by anduril462 View Post
    Now, please, for the love of all things good and holy, think about what you're doing! Don't just run around willy-nilly, coding like a drunk two-year-old....
    Quote Originally Posted by quzah View Post
    ..... Just don't be surprised when I say you aren't using standard C anymore, and as such,are off in your own little universe that I will completely disregard.
    Warning: Some or all of my posted code may be non-standard and as such should not be used and in no case looked at.
  3. 09-09-2011 #3
    manasij7479
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    If you want something cross-platform ...try Qt ..(which requires quite a bit of C++ knowledge.)
  4. 09-10-2011 #4
    Imanuel
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    I am leaning toward C/C++ or Java development and considering my options to learn within those languages.
  5. 09-10-2011 #5
    Elysia
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    I do not recommend C for GUI.
    For C++, there is Qt.
    For Java, there is a built-in framework.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.
  6. 09-10-2011 #6
    Imanuel
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    Any book recommendations to go along with the C++ Qt recommendation.
    What about Windows programming using C? Antiquated? I would like more information please.
  7. 09-10-2011 #7
    manasij7479
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    Quote Originally Posted by Imanuel View Post
    Any book recommendations to go along with the C++ Qt recommendation.
    The Qt website has an excellent documentation and set of tutorials, which I find much better(&&updated) than the existing books.
  8. 09-10-2011 #8
    Imanuel
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    Thank you for replying. Regarding Qt, how much C++ do I need to know? I am proficient in Java and learning C++ now although I am not at the point of class definition, inheritance, polymorphism, and other advanced language features.
  9. 09-10-2011 #9
    manasij7479
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    Regarding Qt, how much C++ do I need to know?
    Better familiarise yourself with that OOP stuff before trying Qt.
    Qt makes quite extensive (&& at some points.. redundant) use of those.

    Read the tutorials up to the point you can understand, trying them out on the way.
    Then focus on the C++ topics you don't have a good idea about.
  10. 09-10-2011 #10
    AndrewHunter
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    Quote Originally Posted by Imanuel View Post
    Thank you for replying. Regarding Qt, how much C++ do I need to know? I am proficient in Java and learning C++ now although I am not at the point of class definition, inheritance, polymorphism, and other advanced language features.
    You should be comfortable with C++ and OOP prior to using QT, it well help to minimize your frustrations. As for Windows programming in C, it is still in effect. You could take a look at the Forger's Win32 tutorial for a good starting point.
    Quote Originally Posted by anduril462 View Post
    Now, please, for the love of all things good and holy, think about what you're doing! Don't just run around willy-nilly, coding like a drunk two-year-old....
    Quote Originally Posted by quzah View Post
    ..... Just don't be surprised when I say you aren't using standard C anymore, and as such,are off in your own little universe that I will completely disregard.
    Warning: Some or all of my posted code may be non-standard and as such should not be used and in no case looked at.
  11. 09-11-2011 #11
    Elysia
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    Quote Originally Posted by AndrewHunter View Post
    As for Windows programming in C, it is still in effect. You could take a look at the Forger's Win32 tutorial for a good starting point.
    But it's very difficult to use right, and requires a lot of code for the most trivial things. So definitely not recommended.
    It's fine is you want fine grained control over most things, and if you want to know what is going behind the scenes, but otherwise...
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.
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