How can I start creating desktop programs?

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Radical
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How can I start creating desktop programs?

Post by Radical » October 7th, 2017, 11:38 pm

So, I am really enjoying programming, and I love to make games, but I am wanting to also create functional things as well; aka - desktop programs. Simple things that would maybe "shut down computer once song ends" or whatever I desire.

Is there a way to go about doing this? How much would I have to alter the chili framework?

albinopapa
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Re: How can I start creating desktop programs?

Post by albinopapa » October 8th, 2017, 4:46 am

Check out the MSDN website to learn more about the Windows API.

You need to understand how Windows communicates with you applications. It uses a messaging system through a callback function. Check out MainWindow::HandleMsg to see the messages chili handles in his framework.

This is where you would want to make modifications as well as maybe main.cpp as you wouldn't need a Game object as well as the exception handling might need to be changed.
If you think paging some data from disk into RAM is slow, try paging it into a simian cerebrum over a pair of optical nerves. - gameprogrammingpatterns.com

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Radical
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Re: How can I start creating desktop programs?

Post by Radical » October 8th, 2017, 2:12 pm

...Wow that seems way out of my grasp. I think I may have to find an inferior non-chili tutorial to get myself started.

cameron
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Re: How can I start creating desktop programs?

Post by cameron » October 8th, 2017, 7:55 pm

I would avoid using c++ and winapi for doing UI stuff if at all possible. Go c# with .net if targetting windows. If targeting all platforms, see if you can find a framework that would suit your fancy.
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albinopapa
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Re: How can I start creating desktop programs?

Post by albinopapa » October 8th, 2017, 9:57 pm

I would almost agree with you cameron. C# does make things easier sometimes, and the language syntax isn't TOO different than C++. I still think giving C++ and the Win32 API a go is still worthwhile. In the end though, the .Net framework does make life easier when making Windows GUI applications.

Perhaps a c++ library exists that mimicks the .Net framework...haven't looked.
If you think paging some data from disk into RAM is slow, try paging it into a simian cerebrum over a pair of optical nerves. - gameprogrammingpatterns.com

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chili
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Re: How can I start creating desktop programs?

Post by chili » October 9th, 2017, 2:16 am

I like C# for making simple UI apps. If you wanna go hog wild with an app in C++, Qt framework is worth a look. If you wanna try .NET with C++, managed C++ is a thing, though it personally revolts me for some reason.

These tutorials aided me in learning some of the basics of Win32 back in the day, and they're still relevant. http://www.relisoft.com/Win32/index.htm
Chili

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Radical
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Re: How can I start creating desktop programs?

Post by Radical » October 9th, 2017, 3:13 am

Thanks for the push in the right direction guys.

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