Custom dock

Hello,

This is my first post on the forum.
I searched the web a couldn't find an answer to my questions.

I have been using a dell computer with delldock for a few years and now, working on a workstation I really miss it si I would like to code my own desktop dock.

I would like to make it have the same functionality plus some added functions like shutdown timer, email checker and wake from sleep mode. Other than that I would like to make an app launcher. This should appear on top of everything that is currently open and have custom shortcuts to applications and folder locations.

I have some basic c++ programming skills but I have no idea how to even start this project. What should I use? Where can I find some tutorials or documentation.

Considering you probably know a whole lot more than me please guide me in the right direction and tell me how difficult this might be.

Here is the link to the original dock: The Dell Dock, by Stardock : Powered by ObjectDock

Thank you for your help!

I real the sticky programming thread but there seems to be so many options I don't even know where to begin.