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I've made simple programs in C and C++ with simple compilers (learned it in university; I'm Statistics student). Also I'm amateur PHP programer. Now I want to start programming for Windows.

  • apps with user interface
  • apps without user interface

My aim is just to see how it is done. And I might make a basic app that interacts with a database which is in a web server.

Where should I start? Windows Visual Studio? .NET? What should I know?

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Even though the question is different the links there will help you... see stackoverflow.com/questions/4310442/c-gui-programming-starting/… – Robert Feb 26 '11 at 6:24

closed as not constructive by MichaelT, GlenH7, Kilian Foth, gnat, Martijn Pieters Apr 11 at 16:56

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3 Answers

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The "Petzold book" is the classic book on traditional windows programming in C. Out of print, but you can order it used. Couple that with a download of Visual C++ Express and you are good to go.

If you are more interested in console applications (run from the command prompt), you can still do that with Visual C++ above. A good book on Windows System programming is listed below.

While C/C++ is still used for the core product teams at Microsoft and many large applications, C# and related UI technologies (WPF, WinForms, etc..) are evangelized by more frequently. Get any book on C# from the book store and download Visual C# from the same site you downloaded Visual C++ from.

http ://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Windows-Jeffrey-Richter/dp/1572315482/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298701573&sr=1-1

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up vote 2 down vote

"Where should I start? Windows Visual Studio? .NET? What should I know?"

.NET, no doubt.

You can learn C# easily, since you know C & C++; or use C++ as suggested by Selbie.

WindowsClient.NET is the official Microsoft website for windows programmers. There are so many informative video tutorials for beginners.

I would recommend that you should learn C#, its pretty easy for those who know C,C++ or Java.

Download free Visual C# Express and start your journey.

All the best!

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up vote 1 down vote

There are a LOT of options for you. Three of the more traditional options are:

  1. C++. Either using Microsoft VC++ (free Express edition), or C++ and a framework such as QT.
  2. .Net development. .Net is a framework that runs on top of Windows. C# and VB.Net via one of the free VS Express IDE's will get you started. Both C# and VB.Net will be a lot more approachable than C++.
  3. Delphi. This isnt free ($150), and not as popular as it once was, but it is (imo) the best and most productive IDE & Language for Windows development.

But, as I said, your choices are many. There are other options as well, for example Python, RealBasic, and even Java can be used to create desktop applications, though those arent Windows 'specific' options.

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