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How to write modern Windows software in C++?

Asked 2010-06-25T20:52:00.500
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I am very interested in how modern Windows software is written in C++ nowadays. I asked my friend who had worked on Windows software and he told that last things he worked with were MFC and then WTL. He said that MFC is no longer anything modern but WTL is still used but he didn't know much more. He also said that WTL wasn't that modern and before that he programmed in pure Windows API.

How does one write software for Windows Vista or Windows 7? Do you still use WTL? What about MFC and pure Windows API? Or are there other libraries now?

I don't know much about it, but have C# or other .NET languages replaced C++ in writing modern Windows software?

c++ windows wtl
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WTL, Qt, wxWidgets are used pretty common.

  • They all allow rapid GUI development and are pretty versatile (third option, to my mind, takes more time to get used to). Second and third options are really cool because they're cross-platform.

  • Writing windows in pure WinAPI is extremely oldschool but sometimes could be entertaining.

  • C# approach to building windows is even more rapid compared to previous options, but is a bit less flexible.

answered 2010-06-25T20:58:32.020

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