Best beginner's API for designing C++ apps? (13)

1 Name: #!/usr/bin/anonymous : 2006-11-23 00:25 ID:YS9MhHdu

I've been messing around with C++ for a few weeks now. It's my third or fourth attempt at learning the language, but having learned a lot of PHP (and creating the anime SaiGar 2007 tournament) I'm finding C++ a lot easier to pick up. I've messed around with making a few console applications, but now I want to get into making apps that use a GUI.

I use both Windows and Kubuntu Linux, so what API would you recommend for a beginner like me? Win32, QT or GTK? What are the advantages, disadvantages and learning curves for each API?

Cheers

2 Name: #!/usr/bin/anonymous : 2006-11-23 17:25 ID:Heaven

>>both Windows and Kubuntu Linux,
>>Win32, QT or GTK?

1. no win32 for linux, obviously
2. Qt for windows requires a pricey license
3. GTK on windows is sort of slow and ugly

I suggest using wxWidgets, which will compile into win32 api on windows and gtk2 on linux.

3 Name: #!/usr/bin/anonymous : 2006-11-23 22:38 ID:Heaven

> 2. Qt for windows requires a pricey license

Isn't it free to develop GPL'd software under Windows?

4 Name: #!/usr/bin/anonymous : 2006-11-24 11:06 ID:PiF3uTmi

>>2

I don't mean for use on BOTH Windows or Linux. Just for one OS, not both. I mainly use Linux, but I'd be more willing to try out the API for Win32 if it's easier.

5 Name: #!/usr/bin/anonymous : 2006-11-24 12:20 ID:Heaven

>>4

Nothing about Win32 is easy. It is an API designed out of pure pain.

6 Name: #!/usr/bin/anonymous : 2006-11-29 02:34 ID:5p1FzBgk

>>5
And spite. You mustn't forget the spite.

7 Name: #!/usr/bin/anonymous : 2006-12-06 19:46 ID:Heaven

You don't use APIs to design programs, you silly rabbit.

8 Name: #!/usr/bin/anonymous : 2006-12-08 21:02 ID:AkuR81XX

>>3

Qt for Windows isn't (or wasn't?) GPLed. I seem to recall Qt for Windows becoming free - whether that's beer or freedom I don't know.

9 Name: #!/usr/bin/anonymous : 2006-12-09 02:00 ID:zwXaTmA4

I think you could call OpenGL and maybe GLUT an option for this guy.

10 Name: #!/usr/bin/anonymous : 2007-01-12 02:30 ID:lXKsM31+

>>9 is right. Get the big red book and teach yourself how to buffer a window, write a mouse / kb handler, a menu, etc. Don't worry so much about 3D graphics, unless you're interested. Once you understand the fundamentals, applying that knowledge to a particular windowing system will take more time but prove more productive.

11 Name: #!/usr/bin/anonymous : 2007-01-12 15:14 ID:Heaven

And before writing any of those USER PROGRAMS, you should write your own OS.

That's an utterly idiotic idea, >>9-10.

12 Name: #!/usr/bin/anonymous : 2007-01-12 16:57 ID:taedwzYn

>>11

GLUT is designed to be very easy to use. Understanding the fundamentals of graphical interface systems can be very helpful to a novice, whereas HWNDs and obscure API calls using hungarian notation can be overwhelming.

Depending on what he wants to do, GLUT could be an excellent solution, especially since it is supported cross platform. Why don't you investigate and argue instead of spouting angry baseless garbage.

13 Name: #!/usr/bin/anonymous : 2007-01-12 17:55 ID:Heaven

>>12

You don't think I know what GLUT is, or what? If this is going to turn into a pissing contest of skills, I've been programming GUI apps, and a GUI system or two from scratch, for well over ten years, across half a dozen platforms.

The whole idea is ridiculous - making a custom GUI system is the exact opposite of good GUI design, OpenGL is a pain in the ass for casual use, and even if you made it, none of the skills learned would of any use when making a real GUI. Besides which, without any experience with normal GUI APIs, you'd have no clue how to design it properly in the first place.

There are instances where low-level experince may be useful at higher levels, but GUIs is definitely not one.

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