dear all,

i am an experienced VB programmer with notions of java and C++, but have always worked under windows.

i am enjoying this linux eperience so much i'm thinking of porting part of my applications too.

i'd like to develop a small application (that would have GUI) under linux.

now: what should i start using? is there a detailed guide for complete noobs to linux developing environment?

any help welcomed

cheers,

aj.

I am in a very similar boat as yourself...

I have choosen to go the Qt route. They have a decent tutorial to get you started.
Check this site out... should help: http://stommel.tamu.edu/~baum/programming.html

EDIT
Another resource to start with: LinuxQuestions QT Wiki. There are also other APIs... Im just throwing out what I am starting with.

If you are using KDE there is an IDE "built in" for C and C ++ programs. If you are using GNOME you might want to look into Anjuta. I've downloaded the source code for Anjuta and have built a SlackPack and installed on my PC, works great and "looks" really nice.

I've only just started doing some C ++ programming, actually only had my first class at college last semester. Soon as this semester is out I plan on getting a good book on Linux Programming with C ++ and "have a go at it".

Later,
MMYoung

TCL/TK has the reputation for being the quickest approach for a newbie to get a GUI running under linux.

For coding a GUI, you'll probably want to learn either gtk or Qt. I'm biased towards gtk, myself, but that's because KDE makes my eyes hurt. And Qt support is harder to come by than gtk support in alternative window managers (even the mighty fluxbox doesn't have perfect Qt compatibility). Also, I'd code in a high level language (C/C++/java) rather than a BASIC derivative, even for simple programs. Other than the GUI end of things, porting shouldn't be too difficult.

As for IDEs, the 1337 among us use emacs for everything , but you may want something more visual, coming from a windows background. However, I DON'T suggest using kdevelop, even if you are using kde. There are better options out there. If you do in fact go for emacs (and make me proud), remember that there are five zillion plugins available, so make it suit your needs.

If you're a VB coder, you should try: http://gambas.sourceforge.net/
Also you can try NetBeans (http://www.netbeans.org/ or get J2sdk1.5+Netbeans in http://java.sun.com), Java's new IDE, i've been working with it last few weeks and it's very nice and of course, you write AND design once, and run everywhere

Forgot to say, there's a programming forum on LQ (of course, programming on linux): http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...p?s=&forumid=9

If you are planning to write GUI programs for linux and use C++, you will probably want to take a look at ´kdevelop´ and ´qtdesigner´. They are full featured ide environments. QT Designer looks like ´Delphi´ on steroids.

dear all,

thank you for your inputs.

hi elitecodex, this sure looks promising. i see they also have an opeen source licensing, which is real good.

however, only one question though: the resulting code productd by Qt can just be compiled with any GCC compiler out there? or must it be comiled from Qt?

hi radioman, this too looks promising, though i am not sure since i do have very basic nothons of C++ (and seen the power of C++) why i should go for another language which is only TCL/TK proprietary... or am i missing something?

i should have mentioned. GNOME only user here :P
mmm not sure i understand: you mean Qt codes in a basic derivative?
emacs sounds good, at the same time as i said i really only have notions of C++, i guess starting with Qt might make my life easier at the beginning, then moving to emacs?

gambas sounds quite fun, however again i see a problem in using these 'proprietary' languages i might give it a try just to feel encouraged to writing my first linux app
as per netbeans, it simply won't do for me, but real thanks for these inputs.

Then you don't want to use QT, as that is "basically" a KDE thing (not completely). GTK is the default for GNOME and GNOME apps.

Did you look at Anjunta? Has import capablilites, so you can take an "already done" program and look at how the developer coded it for "hints and tips". Matter of fact, just from the little I've used of both Anjuta and the MS Visual Studio .NET (Visual Basic and C++ only) it is comparible to that.

BTW, GTK is TRUE open source, there are parts of QT that aren't. Which is why GNOME will ONLY use GTK. Before I get flamed, I'm not saying that QT is bad (basically I'm indifferent on that subject), just stating the facts AS I UNDERSTAND THEM. If I'm wrong someone please correct me (like I have to even say that ).

Later,
MMYoung

arg. i was downloading

oh well. downloading anjuta now, hopefully i'll find good tuts on this one too.

No. GTk is LGPL, Qt has a numerous licenses: for open source, you can have the GPL or Trolltech's own QPL, or if you don't want to give out your source code, you can pay for a commercial license (which is then used to fund development of Qt).

Gnome sprung up because Qt wasn't originally under a free license. This is now no longer the case after Trolltech relicensed the code many years ago (4th September 2000 Announcement)

Edit
In terms of compatibility, GTK is more widespread, but according to Trolltech's website, Qt 4 will be GPL'd for Windows (it is already GPL'd for the Mac and X11)