CODEWITHSUNDEEP
cuser-interface
Gautam
Gautam

Reputation: 1119

Simple GUI app with C backend

I want to write a simple GUI application on a Linux machine (a few buttons, and a message display area), to use with a C back-end. The C back-end code already exists, and I don't want to change it much.

What would be my best bet for the front-end?

Initially I thought I would use Ruby (e.g. using Shoes or Ruby on Rails), but I was wondering if I would end up spending too much time just making my front-end talk properly with my C back-end.

Would GTK+ be a better option to use instead? Is there anything else you would suggest?

I would have to spend a considerable amount of time on making the front-end, regardless of what I go for.

Upvotes: 2

Views: 2407

Answers (2)

richardolsson
richardolsson

Reputation: 4071

Depending on what kind of input/output the back-end handles, consider using a socket or pipe for communication using a simple plaintext protocol. That way you can essentially use any programming language with basic file IO for the front-end, without much added hassle.

I would personally probably use Python, or Flash/AIR (because that's where my main expertise lies as far as GUI programming goes) and a socket connection to the back-end (running locally or remotely). But whatever you are more comfortable with will likely work too.

Upvotes: 2

gnud
gnud

Reputation: 78518

I suggest python, with either wxPython or PyQT/PySide. For communication with the C backend, you can use ctypes.

Here's an example of how C functions can be used with ctypes, from the documentation.

>>> printf = libc.printf
>>> printf("Hello, %s\n", "World!")
Hello, World!
>>> printf("Hello, %S\n", u"World!")
Hello, World!
>>> printf("%d bottles of beer\n", 42)
42 bottles of beer
>>> printf("%f bottles of beer\n", 42.5)
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in ?
ArgumentError: argument 2: exceptions.TypeError: Don't know how to convert parameter 2
>>>

Upvotes: 4

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