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.

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