How does one convert a C++ code into a graphical application

[ayanda83]

Hi everyone, i've been studying C++ for quite some time now but i still don't understand how one converts a C++ source code into a fully-functional graphical software or an app.

I've also studied Visual programming in Delphi but i don't believe visual programming is the only solution to developing software otherwise "WHY STUDY C++?"

[firedraco]

C++ doesn't have a native graphical library. You'll have to use a 3rd party system, depending on what you want, like DirectX, OpenGL, SFML, SDL, etc.

[Athar]

Libraries like Qt or wxWidgets, rather. As I understand it, this is about GUI programming.

[ayanda83]

Thank you for response guys. Just so that i understand correctly, does one use these 3rd party systems in conjuction with the C++ development tool (e.g Dev C++).

i guess what i'm asking is, if a client were to ask you to make him a simple software for calculate his monthly expenses. As a C++ programmer, the code for this software is very simple but how do u introduce the graphics into the code to get the final product.

[firedraco]

You would link it in and either distribute it with you finished product or statically link it (basically the same thing but it is in the .exe instead of a separate file). As for how to link it...it depends on the IDE. Btw, Dev C++ is outdated, either grab something like VC++ Express, CodeBlocks, or if you really like the Dev C++ layout, wxDevC++ (I think that's what it's called).

[hanst99]

I think the question was how to introduce GUI code into your application - ayanda, you got to understand that there is no actual seperation between C++ and your GUI (in most cases anyways, sometimes GUI's are also created from documents similar to how websites are displayed from HTML code). You'd either use a WYSIWYG editor to create that code or write it per hand, but how it actually looks in your program depends on the library you are using.