Re: [boost] Java style GUI in C++

From: John Torjo (john.lists_at_[hidden])
Date: 2004-08-18 13:35:29

Hi Reece,

Just a few thoughts:

> I am currently designing a GUI framework in C++ (initially targeting the 
> Windows platform) that uses a model similar to that which Java uses in 

Take a deep breath if you want to make it cross-platform ;)
I think that's Windows work x 10 or so. Maybe more ;) ...

> it's AWT and Swing libraries. Specifically:
> 
> [1] Being able to use constructors to create the windows/components. 
> This means there is no need to explicitly call a Create method like in 
> the MFC framework.

win32gui does that ;)

> 
> [2] The use of layout managers. I like the various layout managers in 
> Java and how easy it is to construct complex GUI interfaces.
> 

I like the idea of layout managers. Still, it seems (to me) in real-life 
they kind of fail. You'll always want that special case where you need 
to hide control X and show control Y, etc.

So far, I've created splitters on dialogs at design time (still beta 
;)). If you use them correctly, you can specify a lot ot design time. 
Also, you can easily hide/show the left/right panes.

> [3] The support for events via "listeners". This will most likely be 
> geared towards key/mouse events and "action" events (e.g. when the user 
> presses on a button).

I'm not a big fan of listeners. You need to do a lot of coding manually 
to set them, etc. I've implemented them totally different - using event 
handler classes.

> At the moment, I have a basic working version that allows you to write 
> the following:
> 
> int PASCAL WinMain( HINSTANCE, HINSTANCE, LPSTR, int sw )
> {
>   swing::JFrame frame( L"Swing JFrame!" );
>   frame.setPane( new swing::JPanel());
>   frame.setSize( 500, 500 );
>   frame.show( sw );
> 
>   MessageLoop msg;
>   return( msg.Execute());
> }

can you break the message loop?
That is, specify when a message loop should end (when a certain signal 
is received).

> 
> This creates two windows: the main frame and a panel that is a child of 
> that frame. The JFrame is created in the constructor, but is not 
> displayed until show is called. Likewise, the JPanel is created inside 
> its constructor and the JFrame.setPane method makes that window a child 
> of the frame.
> 
> I would appreciate comments and ideas as to what people would like out 
> of a GUI framework, especially one that will be multi-platform.

I'm all for it, but again, I think it's so much work...

Best,
John

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John Torjo
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