MFC or WinAPI?

F

Freaker

New member
I've been learning C++, and I think its time for me to start going into GUIs, but the problem is I don't know wether I should learn how to create programs using the Win32 API or just go with MFC.

Any suggestions as for which one I should learn and/or a good book for teaching myself it?
 
MFC is actually more of a hassle than dealing straight with the API, since it insists you follow the wacky way they have things set up. On top of that, they don't make it any easier to work with -- they just rename the function calls a little, but they don't reduce the workload.

I'd avoid MFC and if you're going to go into Win32 programming, stick straight with the API.


However -- it's probably best all around if you look into cross-platform GUI libs rather than focusing on Windows. http://www.wxwidgets.org/wxWidgets</a> is a pretty solid, easy to use, and powerful library which you may want to look into.
 
Doesn't wxWidgets increase the file size alot, or am I thinking of wxPython?
I tried learning wxWidgets before I really understood C++, didn't work out at all.

Do you know of any tutorials for wxWidgets?
As far as I remember there was barely any at all.
 
oh, def. MFC <img src=smilies/liefde.gif>

zd-flana-written.png
</img>
 
> oh, def. MFC
>
awwwww lobsterrrrrrrrrr <img src=smilies/liefde.gif><img src=smilies/liefde.gif><img src=smilies/liefde.gif><img src=smilies/liefde.gif>
 
> I've been learning C++, and I think its time for me to start
> going into GUIs, but the problem is I don't know wether I
> should learn how to create programs using the Win32 API or
> just go with MFC.

> Any suggestions as for which one I should learn and/or a
> good book for teaching myself it?

It depends.

If you're coding something for performance... Win32 API all the way, man! (FYI: Win API is actually more non-++ C). Like, if you are coding a game-- use Win API. Por example, I coded DIrectEd, a Win32 DOS TLayer-esque program using Win API--It runs full speed even on ANCIENT machines and the executbale is only like 20k zipped.

If you are shooting more for scalability, looks, form-over-function, etc... MFC.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom