There is MFC, win32 API, GTK, wxWidgets.
Ok any idea where is the best place to start to learn how to program GUI's for the programs I write?
Thanks.
Also I'm a novice programmer that would like to learn how to make GUI's and really looking for a place to start from, tutorial any advice.
Last edited by Djanvk; 08-22-2008 at 12:27 AM.
Part of the answer to your question is the answer to "What type of applications are you planning to make", and are they for a particular platform. wxWidgets and GTK are portable, so if you ever think you would like to run the same app on both Windows and Linux (for example), then that limits your choices.
For Windows only, I've used MFC, and whilst it's not entirely easy, it works well for what I've been doing.
Others may disagree with what I say.
--
Mats
Compilers can produce warnings - make the compiler programmers happy: Use them!
Please don't PM me for help - and no, I don't do help over instant messengers.
Keep in mind that MFC isn't free, while some others are.
And then there's the argument if you want to use raw API to create GUIs or a framework. I recommend the latter, since win32 api is a mess and a pain to work with.
Originally Posted by Adak
So I have downloaded wxWidgets and will give that a try, seems that wxSmith on Code::Blocks will work well.
if not I will give GTK a try.
Any pros/cons on either of them?
Use gtkmm if you want a C++ wrapper for GTK.
Look up a C++ Reference and learn How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
The Qt Framework is a nice place to start.
It's Object Orientated and is platform independent too.
Operating Systems:
- Ubuntu 9.04
- XP
Compiler: gcc
...but for a beginner, Qt can be too complicated. I looked at it for about an hour and decided that it wasn't for me. Perhaps I didn't give it enough of a chance, but I definitely think there's just too much going on there for a beginner like the OP, not to mention it costs money if you're using it for more than just personal or educational purposes. I personally recommend wxWidgets. there is a version of Dev-C++ with a wxWidgets GUI designer built in, and there is lots of very good documentation out there for it, including a couple of really good books. I have also used GTK+, and it works well, but it's not object oriented, and can also be overly complicated to do certain things.
It's (QT) also for free if you're publishing your application under GNU License, if I remember right.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Greetz
Greenhorn
Qt is available under the GPL for Linux, and for Windows since Qt 4.
The GPL requires that the stuff you create with Qt is also under the GPL.
If you don't want to put your code under the GPL, you either need a commercial license, or you need a different library.
GTK is under the LGPL. You can link dynamically against it without license restrictions on your program. If you link statically, there are some things to consider.
wxWidgets is under the wxWidgets license, which is much like the LGPL but with an exception that makes static linkage easier.
All the buzzt!
CornedBee
"There is not now, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be, any programming language in which it is the least bit difficult to write bad code."
- Flon's Law
I think you've escaped the biggest con by eschewing MFC's poor design and platform lock-in.
I have taken a shining to wxWidgets only because of the fact that I use so many operating systems for developmental purposes and hate rewriting stuff. Though GTK is pretty nice. I have had more issues with GTK than wxWidgets, however. I am sure someone will jump in to add their two cents and try to convince me that I am inept for having issues with GTK, but if I had to choose, I would lean more towards wxWidgets.
MFC is free
and Win32 API is much easier, although without as many prepackaged solutions. For strictly GUI purposes MFC is probably a better route to go. I dont use it, btu I have other requirements that MFC etiher cannot or has difficulty meeting.
I don't think Express comes with MFC.
All the buzzt!
"There is not now, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be, any programming language in which it is the least bit difficult to write bad code."
- Flon's Law
it does, at least the new projects are set up as MFC projects, and you haev th eoption of selecting MFC ro non-MFC, and they default to MFC, so I am assuming its included.
edit -
Actually just double checked and you may be right, I might have been confusing it with my full version of 2005.
Last edited by abachler; 08-22-2008 at 12:21 PM.
I have a lot of issues with MFC. It adds bloat and frustration to the Win32 API. To be honest, I would rather just use the Win32 API over MFC anytime. But that is just an opinion... One that is better than most peoples', but an opinion no less.
