how to make win32 API program..?

[e0ne199]

hello, i want to begin making c++ programs using win32 API,but what compiler must i use to build that program? i have used minGW but it seems difficult for me because i have to write down unusual command that uses so many lines....and what reference i have to use for studying it?

btw, i have an extra question, how to make GUI program in linux using C++ anyway?

[tummychow]

I'd suggest you start off with VC++. Since it was made by microsoft, you can make a new project for win32 immediately and be practically ready to go. That's not as easy with other compilers. Assuming you have a solid core knowledge of C++, you can pick up a good book and launch into winapi immediately. However you won't find any tutorials on this site; it's mainly focused on the core syntax.

[e0ne199]

then how do i start it with VC++??
there are so many options in VC++ (when i want to begin a new project) and i 'm not sure what i have to use to make that win32 API...

[tummychow]

K, well when you create a new project you'll choose either Windows Console Application (a console app) or just Windows Application (winapi).

[e0ne199]

ok thx 4 the advise....btw how about making GUI program in linux using C++??? is it using win32 API too (LoL)??

[tummychow]

I'm not sure about that. I believe Linux has its own API but I honestly wouldn't be quoted on that.
And please avoid abbreviations; we try to use real English and not the disjointed variants.

[chrisname]

There are lots and lots of different ways of making cross-platform GUIs. Too many to count.
The main ones I know of are GTK+, QT and WxWidgets.

[e0ne199]

about GTK+, is it a compiler or something (like gambas)???

[chrisname]

It's a widget library. Here is the gallery: http://library.gnome.org/devel/gtk/unstable/ch02.html

You compile the library file (probably libgtk+.a or something similar) into your program and include the appropriate header files, and it lets you build a GUI.

The way it seems to work is like this:
1. set up your GUI
2. tell GTK+ what function to call for any situation that's likely to arise (say a button, buttonA was pressed; GTK+ will call the function (e.g. buttonA_pressed()) you tell it to)
3. hand control over to GTK+. Then, whenever an action occurs, GTK+ handles it rather than you having to.

It has a large and extensive widget library, and graphically it looks good (IMO). I think it's cross-platform but I'm not sure. It definitely works on any OS that can support GNOME, but I don't know if that includes windows and mac OS. I'm fairly sure windows is supported though.

[tummychow]

I'm pretty sure windows supports GNOME. After all Windows supports GIMP and Pidgin, and they both use GTK.
And chrisname brings up a good point, GTK is amazingly versatile. Just look at the GIMP. The entire interface is GTK+.

[helios]

I'm pretty sure windows supports GNOME.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't. Not outside of Cygwin, anyway.
Of course, it all depends on what you mean by "support" and "GNOME".

[tummychow]

Well Windows suppports GTK+. That much I personally guarantee. I'm not sure about gnome in particular.

[chrisname]

No, all efforts to port GNOME to windows AFAIK have been unsuccessful. I can't imagine why...

But yes, GTK+ is very, very flexible.