OT: GUI Libraries

[Chad J]

Jeremie Pelletier wrote:
> Chad J wrote:
>>
>> I actually rather dislike GTK from a user standpoint.  It doesn't mesh
>> well at all on my KDE linux setup.  The file dialog is also a frequent
>> source of annoyance, as it is different then everything else and seems
>> to want to fight with me.  Qt is much better at these things.
>>
>> Too bad we can't just make programs switch between GUI backends at
>> will ;)
> 
> I use gnome myself on Ubuntu, I don't really like KDE :)
> 

Right.  Personal preferences make it unlikely for people to realize the
shortcomings of a library on systems that aren't their own.  Thus my
purpose isn't to start a silly Desktop Environment debate, but to point
out hidden deficiencies in software.

If Qt has deficiencies on Gnome or Windows or Mac OS or some other
system I don't use regularly, it'd be swell to have that in the open so
I know what to look for when developing my GUI apps.

I'm actually curious about some of the less prominent ones like
wxWidgets and FLTK in this regard.

> We can make programs that switch between GUI backends, most just don't
> go in that direction. Its as easy as graphics engines having GL and DX
> backends for their render system.
> 

It was sort-of a joke.  A cross platform gui library is, in principle,
supposed to be the final abstraction.  Once you target a gui lib, that
should be it, you are done and it works on every system in an intuitive
way.  Too bad life isn't perfect.  So now we talk of things like a
cross-gui-library  gui library.  An abstraction of abstractions.  That
such a thing is potentially useful is, in and of itself, quite
unfortunate and slightly comical :(

> I agree however that GTK being in C is rather annoying, C is a great
> language but GUIs is one area where OOP really shines.

True words.

(dunno about immediate mode though... but that's another discussion)

C makes for easier bindings at least ;)