C# GUI Programming Starting

Question

So....I've never really done much in the way of GUI programming apps. Namely because for school ive been stuck in C++ land. But since Im graduating in December I thought it'd be nice (while im looking for a job) to study something I've wanted to look into for awhile. And please dont mark this as "subjective" im just simply asking what I need to "know" to get started.

Namely GUI programming. Im not used to it....nor have I really ever been. It's not something they focus on in school (for instance my senior design was a webcam mouse thing, but had very little in the way of GUI)

I've seen alot about C# being the superior GUI programming tool for fast development.....but I dont really know whats out there. I know "of" QT, and Im used to C++. However Im not too familiar with what the "choice" GUI language is. I do like programming on Windows however most of my stuff has been in Unix here lately (Mostly because of my OS class).

I dont know anything about .net, and i've heard of something called WPF? Is that part of .net.....or.....what? Im just a bit confused at where to start.

Thanks

Solution 1

Microsoft has some good resources for getting started on their platform with .NET.

Try these...

Development for Beginners

Welcome to the Windows Development track. This is the best place to learn how to create software for Windows. Windows applications can take advantage of your computer's sound, graphics, and other capabilities. You will learn how to write software for Windows XP, Vista, or Windows Server using Visual Basic, Visual C#, or Visual C++ Express Editions.

Ramp Up

Ramp Up is a free, online, community-based learning program that will help you build professional development skills. Join Ramp Up (it's free!) and help advance your career...

Creating Your First Visual C# Application - This link contains three samples:

• How to: Create a C# Console Application
• How to: Create a C# Windows Forms Application
• How to: Create a C# WPF Application

Visual C# Guided Tour

The Visual C# Guided Tour presents a series of lessons that introduce you to the Visual C# Express Edition integrated development environment (IDE), creating your first application, and designing the user interface of an application.

Learn .NET Framework on MSDN

Start here to get a conceptual overview of the key features of the .NET Framework, including the common language runtime, the .NET Framework class library, and more.

Solution 2

Yeah.... C# is a great tool for GUI.... My condition was same like yours when I started.... My suggestion is get into it.... Make some simple GUIs.... Its fun to make simple apps like say Calculator!

There are very good tutorials available on internet.... You are just a Google away from them.... And For everyproblem, There is Stack Overflow! :)

All the best!!

You can check this too: C# GUI primer tutorial

Solution 3

You have two choices to go with:

Windows Forms (WinForms) Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)

For all future desktop GUI applications, WPF is recommended.

Solution 4

WPF is pretty awesome. It is rather closely related to xml.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa663364.aspx

If you use the toolbox its mostly self explanatory for the basic components. Here are components of a basic page.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb531270(VS.90).aspx

View more solutions