Start Windows GUI Application Development With C++

Question

I'm looking into creating a GUI program for Windows in C++, I have a good knowledge of C++ in the command line and also in game creation. But I'm not sure where to start with GUI application development.

I have Visual Studio 2010 and have created new projects with a GUI but these templates are complex and leaves me not understanding whats happening and how to modify it.

So I'm asking where do I start? Preferably good websites that you can recommend or tutorials, rather than books being a poor student :)

Answer 1

some help :
GUI Library - Bring The Simplicity of Windows Forms to Native Apps
theForger's Win32 API Programming Tutorial
How to create a resizeable dialog box with scroll bars in Visual C++

More one tip to find useful information, search for this strings at google :
"site:support.microsoft.com/kb/ dialog based C++",
"site:support.microsoft.com/kb/ modal C++", or
"site:support.microsoft.com/kb/ scroll bars C++"

Good luck

Answer 2

Having written Windows code since Win2.0, I have to say: start with C#. It's a very easy language to learn after C++, and many of the new features (like built-in event handling) were put there to make writing GUI applications easier.

Then, once you're used to the basic concepts of window management and messaging, then drop down into C++.

I say this for the same reason that assembly is not a good first language. There is an enormous amount of housekeeping code in a Windows application, and in C++ you see it all. Better to use a language that hides much of it until you're grounded.

Answer 3

I'd personally recommend using Qt instead to develop your GUI.

Answer 4

Use a GUI framework/library that hides the dirt from the low-level GUI api. MFC is not a solution - it is only a thin layer above the WinAPI. I recommend using QT or wxWidgets. If you use Qt use the Qt creator/Qt designer to design interfaces. If you use wxWidgets use wxFormBuilder.