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What's the current way of programming Windows? (programming.dev)

submitted 9 months ago by uliwitness@programming.dev to c/learn_programming@programming.dev

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I'm a seasoned programmer on Mac/Linux/iOS, and want to get into Windows application programming. Problem is, every time I try, Microsoft comes in a week later and discontinues the current framework in favor of something else. Because I need to use a C++ library, I started with C++/CX, just to be told C++/WinRT was the way to go etc.

I've lost track of what the current one is now and what has been discontinued, and can't for the life of me find recent information on the web.

Anyone here know where I can find info on what's the current one? It seems C# is still the main language, but what UI framework does one use? It used to be UWP, but now it seems WPF is back ... ?

My constraints are: I'm making Windows desktop applications, I need to be able to call into C++, and I want it to look like a modern application. I also need to create my UI from code (based on files provided by the user), not from XAML files.

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[–] MajorHavoc@programming.dev 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

every time I try, Microsoft comes in a week later and discontinues the current framework in favor of something else.

This is the way.

I have nothing useful to add, as I noped-out to become a full web developer, for exactly this reason.

If I desperately needed to call into C++ libraries, I would just build the whole thing in C++. And you're right, it won't look modern.

That said, it sounds like you're asking the person running your app to give you an unprecedented amount of trust in the modern age (running locally, unsandboxed, running code from unmanaged libraries, presumably outside an app store ecosystem).

If you have users, in that situation, I'm guessing you have a deeply compelling solution.

And if I were in those shoes, I would build it 100% in C++ and let my users live with it looking old school. They'll notice the appearance once or twice, then they'll notice all the more important functionality for a lot longer.

[–] sjpwarren@programming.dev 4 points 9 months ago

This is definately the way with microsoft. Use this new shiny framework... 18 months later. No Use this one its' much better, just rewrite all your code again! 18 months later....