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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.
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
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.
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.
The Qt Framework is a nice place to start.
It's Object Orientated and is platform independent too.
...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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ideswa
It's (QT) also for free if you're publishing your application under GNU License, if I remember right. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Elkvis
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.
I think you've escaped the biggest con by eschewing MFC's poor design and platform lock-in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Djanvk
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 freeQuote:
Originally Posted by Elysia
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by abachler
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.
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.
Nope, MFC does not come with the Express version.
To further add, I think MFC is wonderful. Even if just a simple wrapper, it takes away so much pain, for example, by providing overloads that actually works instead of filling in stupid structs and fields to specify what you selected inside the struct and getting frustrated whenever it doesn't work.
No, it's not perfect, but it's great over Win32. That's how I've always felt.
Another vote for Qt. I am learning it just now. Love the object-oriented aspect of it. Followed through the basic tutorial easily in 10 hours or so. Not that difficult. The SIGNAL and SLOT mechanism is a bit mind twisting at first, but I got used to it. I don't have much C++ experience, just ~2 years of self learning.
The license thing (your code has to be under the GPL, or you need to pay for a commercial license) may be a problem if you intend to write proprietary (closed source) programs. For me, GPL is all I care about anyways :), at least for now.