Wtl

[Arjay]

I could have picked Linux or Mac, but because Windows is dominant on the desktops of my envisioned costumers, I go for Windows. And that's why I'm asking about WTL. I was wondering if anyone has experience with this package and would recommend it?

Here's a couple of good links on WTL. The first one compares WTL to MFC and contains a couple of interesting links (which is how I found the second link).

http://www.endurasoft.com/vcd/mfcwtl.htm
http://www.sellsbrothers.com/tools

I'd recommend doing a few of the samples listed and try out if WTL will work for you.

[nuzzle]

Here's a couple of good links on WTL. The first one compares WTL to MFC and contains a couple of interesting links (which is how I found the second link).

http://www.endurasoft.com/vcd/mfcwtl.htm
http://www.sellsbrothers.com/tools

I'd recommend doing a few of the samples listed and try out if WTL will work for you.

Sure there are links (and I'll check yours out).

But what I'm looking for here is personal experience. Preferably I'd like to hear from someone who's actually used WTL and not just heard about it (like myself and everybody else it seems).

[Arjay]

But what I'm looking for here is personal experience.

??? See the Windows Template Library links about 2/3 of the way down the page of the sellbrother links. Read the 2 part article about "WTL Makes UI Programming a Joy". That might give you enough to decide whether to spend more time investigating it.

[nuzzle]

??? See the Windows Template Library links about 2/3 of the way down the page of the sellbrother links. Read the 2 part article about "WTL Makes UI Programming a Joy". That might give you enough to decide whether to spend more time investigating it.

That's fine, but to be very direct, I don't need directions. What I need is someone speaking their mind.

So, as a direct question to you Arjay, do you or don't you think I should use WTL?

[Arjay]

That's fine, but to be very direct, I don't need directions. What I need is someone speaking their mind.

So, as a direct question to you Arjay, do you or don't you think I should use WTL?

See the comment in my replies #7 and #10. Beyond that, you'll need to decide for yourself as I don't know the particulars of your environment or requirements. Good luck in your search.

[nuzzle]

See the comment in my replies #7 and #10. Beyond that, you'll need to decide for yourself as I don't know the particulars of your environment or requirements. Good luck in your search.

Sorry Arjay. I appreciate your effort, but I've made it clear by now that I don't want more links.

Sayonara everbody.

[nuzzle]

I'd like to make a correction to one of my previous posts where I wrote that Qt is expensive. This is no longer true. Qt is now owned by Nokia, the mobile phone maker, and they've released Qt under the LGPL 2.1 license. See here for the implications,

http://www.ics.com/files/docs/Qt_LGPL.pdf

This definately changes things. I've decided to go the portable road using Qt as GUI, so it seems WTL will stay unchartered territory for me.

I appologize for the slightly irritated tone I adopted at the end. And thank you all for your help.

[JVene]

That is great news, thanks for putting that link up.

[nuzzle]

That is great news

Yes, I've always felt C++ lacked a sophisticated, affordable and portable GUI.

In my view the open sourcing of Qt puts C++ back to where it belongs, namely ahead of both C# and Java.

[wigga]

C++ has always been ahead of C# and Java in my book. but yes it is such a great language but lacks up to date libraries.

[nuzzle]

but lacks up to date libraries.

What up-to-date libraries do you feel C++ is lacking?

[nuzzle]

I've located a very good WTL introduction. The best I've seen by far. It looks and feels like a manuscript for a book almost ready to get published. It's somewhat dated (from around 2000) but it should still cover the basics very well.

It's easiest to find if you use the AltaVista search engine (www.altavista.com). Search for "WTL Developer’s Guide By Eamon O’Tuathail" and click on the first hit. It's a pdf file.

Although in hindsight the author was far too optimistic about the future impact of WTL, this "book" has actually made me more inclined to use WTL today even though it must be considered a rather obscure technology.

[nuzzle]

I've continued along the WTL route actually. I'm keeping Qt as a backup for the time being.

I've already noticed that WTL is much more solid than the Win32++ library I've been using so far. Win32++ imposes restrictions you don't want really and is generally shaky. So if I've recommended Win32++ in the past it's in the past.

[Arjay]

Glad to hear the WTL route is working out for you.

[nuzzle]

Glad to hear the WTL route is working out for you.

Since I've actually used WTL I'm beginning to understand its virtues better. I've even become interested in ATL and COM. It maybe isn't cutting edge but it's what you got if you want to use static C++ isn't it.

Anyway I've managed to create a Direct3D window and it works very well in a pane in a splitter window just the way I wanted it to.

Not knowing too much yet, WTL is like the slim verion of MFC . It's like what you want if you want a basic Windows GUI.

And it seems WTL is actively developed and you can get help if you ask for it. I can only recommend it. It's even fun to use. I'm very positive.