[svlug] Cross-platform GUIs

[David N. Welton]

Akbar Ahmed <akbar_svlug at yahoo.com> writes:

> Which technologies would you recommend for cross-platform GUI
> development?

Tcl with the Tk toolkit.

> I would prefer full-blown (fat) clients. Language of choice is
> C++. The current target platforms are Windows 2000/XP pro, and Linux
> (RH 8+, Suse 8+).

C++ can be integrated with Tcl quite easily.

> What are the benefits of the technology you recommend, and what are
> the drawbacks?

Scripting a GUI is a heck of a lot faster than writing it in C++, even
with a GUI builder type of tool.  The model works like this:

1) Script the whole application.

2) Rewrite the slow bits in C/C++.

That way, you get a working application quickly, that users can
already start taking a look at.  And you don't waste your time writing
non performance critical code in a low-level language.

Ciao,
-- 
David N. Welton
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