C++ Windows forms

[JenniferLostTheWar]

I am getting ready to start making another Windows program and this time I'm going to write it in c++ so that I can sharpen my c++ skills.

A while ago I read somewhere that Microsoft doesn't recommend using Windows forms with c++ but instead recommends C# for that. I would like to know why that is?

Isn't notepad, paint, media player all written in c or c++?

[E0p9LyTq]

It isn't so much C# vs. C++, IMO. MS wants new apps to be written to work on all devices that can run Windows, and so is pushing the .NET platform.

Until MS removes the ability to create and run desktop apps I will ignore their advice.

[booradley60]

C# is sooo much nicer for working with Windows Forms, if only for the sake of avoiding C++/CLI. Along with the integration with Visual Studio, developing GUIs in C++ when you can use C# seems silly to me. The "C++ way" of using MFC is more obtuse and difficult to learn. From what I hear, if you're going to make GUIs and want to use C++, you might be better off learning Qt.

[Thomas1965]

To write a Windows(GUI) program in C++ you have many options:

1. You can use C++/CLI i.e. C++ for .NET which is one of the easiest ways the write a GUI, but it will be managed code.

2. You can use just the Win API

3. You can use MFC

4. You can also use Qt, wxWidgets, gtk, gtk++ and maybe some others frameworks

I think in one of your previous posts you mentioned some experience in C# so C++/CLI will be the easiest to learn. All the other frameworks have quite a steep learning curve.

@booradley60

C# is sooo much nicer for working with Windows Forms

I agree, but C++/CLI has the advantage that you can easily use native C++ without PInvoke.