Hello all,

I’m trying to get into GUI programming, but am hesitating on using a Python library to make my first barebones program. My goal is to code basic buttons and understand how operating systems implement the way they draw windows for applications.

I have coded mostly in scientific libraries or high-level languages that are fairly simple (Python, Matlab, Julia)… Also am familiar with basic concepts and syntax from C.

Looking for recommendations to start. I am happy to learn a new PL. Interested in writing code for legacy hardware and mobile. Bonus if the codes are general enough to be written for most displays one could interact with.

  • ikidd@lemmy.worldEnglish
    51·
    25 days ago

    I’ve been using Flutter, I like how it’s cross-platform, mostly. I’ve generally built things for Android, but the desktop (Linux and Windows) and web versions usually compile fine with no tweaking. Couldn’t speak to the iOS versions as I can’t be arsed to jump through Apple’s hoops. You can make a nice looking app with it for whichever platform you’re targeting.

    It’s very well supported, lots of examples, well documented. Not as much out there as Python for examples and troubleshooting, but not bad.

    • lautan@lemmy.ca
      2·
      24 days ago

      Flutter apps are good but from the UI perspective have their own limitations, you essentially rely on premade UI components and if they don’t support a method you need you’re stuck. And I’ve seen some flutters behave weird. I would build a prototype before committing to it.

    • MonkderVierte@lemmy.ml
      21·
      24 days ago

      web versions usually compile fine with no tweaking

      Isn’t Flutter basically a webapp anyway?

      • ikidd@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        24 days ago

        Yah, and it has it’s limitations, but it’s far lighter than electron IME.

      • Jiří Král@discuss.tchncs.de
        3·
        24 days ago

        Flutter uses its own UI engine. It does not rely on any webview AFAIK.

        By contrast, Flutter minimizes those abstractions, bypassing the system UI widget libraries in favor of its own widget set. The Dart code that paints Flutter’s visuals is compiled into native code, which uses Impeller for rendering. Impeller is shipped along with the application, allowing the developer to upgrade their app to stay updated with the latest performance improvements even if the phone hasn’t been updated with a new Android version. The same is true for Flutter on other native platforms, such as Windows or macOS.

        https://docs.flutter.dev/resources/architectural-overview#flutters-rendering-model