GUI Programming

Get a current VS version (that is VS.NET) and use VB.NET or C# for your GUI work.

Plug in managed C++ code or COM objects where necesssary. This, though, should not be necessary a lot.

Thats the best and fastest way and the current one. And you can go VERY impressive with this - like we do right now Check http://www.standby24.no/(z5vwlyuc3l1w0i55wfw4xa55)/demo.aspx for how far you can go with this :-)

Regards

THONA

Borland has it''s own RAD development tool called C++ Builder. I personally found it''s enviroment to be much easier to learn and use than Microsoft''s. You can download a free trial at Borland''s website.

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The thing I don''t like about Windows Forms (i.e. the .NET classes for GUI developement) is that you''re stuck with a crappy windows 95-esque interface (without resorting to writing your own components or using someone else''s). I mean, if Microsoft go to all the trouble of creating these slick UIs for Office XP and even VS.NET, then why don''t they let us developers reap the rewards as well? I mean, you can''t even get Windows XP visual styles without a lot of hassle (and some Windows Forms components don''t support visual styles at all, for example, the Up/Down spin control). It''s easier to get visual styles going in MFC than Windows Forms (just an extra check box when you create the project!)

Still, it''s great for quick prototypes and the like. If I was writing a "proper" GUI app, though (i.e. one I plan on releasing to the public), I''d use MFC.

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codeka.com - Just click it.

quote:

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Original post by Big Sassy
Borland has it''s own RAD development tool called C++ Builder. I personally found it''s enviroment to be much easier to learn and use than Microsoft''s. You can download a free trial at Borland''s website.

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Speaking of this, I bought BCB version 1.0, but I never liked the debugging capabilities, or the IDE. I guess it''s gotten better since then. The VCL (that''s BCB''s class library) is pretty good, but suffers from the same problem as Windows Forms (i.e. you can''t use visual styles easily/at all)

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codeka.com - Just click it.

One thing: DO NOT USE JAVA. I''ve once programmed a gui in Java, using these AWT (abstract window toolkit) controls, but it is really a pain in the ass.
MFC is too complex if you ask me.

I would suggest you use c#.NET, it has the ease to use of visual basic, and the power of a c language.

+++ Corvus +++

Use win32 and directX to create your own GUI. It´s harder, and it takes more time but you have full control over every single element in the process and you.

Good Luck,
Borion.

quote:

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Original post by Dean Harding
I mean, you can''t even get Windows XP visual styles without a lot of hassle (and some Windows Forms components don''t support visual styles at all, for example, the Up/Down spin control).

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Copy/pasting that manifest file is a lot of hassle?

thona - I have a feeling those ASP.NET URL''s with embedded session ID''s might cause some trouble when reused...

quote:

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Original post by Arild Fines
Copy/pasting that manifest file is a lot of hassle?

thona - I have a feeling those ASP.NET URL's with embedded session ID's might cause some trouble when reused...

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First off, you've also got to set all you're button's styles to "System". Second of all, it's harder than it should be - i.e. it should be inherent in Windows Forms.

Edit: Oh, and the fact that some components don't support visual styles at all is even worse!

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codeka.com - Just click it.

[edited by - Dean Harding on June 19, 2002 6:47:18 PM]