Re: Easiest way to build Qt/Gtk interfaces for Ada programs

["Dmitry A. Kazakov" <mailbox@dmitry-kazakov.de>]

On Fri, 28 Dec 2012 09:30:04 -0800 (PST), alb348@gmail.com wrote:

>>> My question is: is there any GUI builder, either for Qt
>>> or for Qt, which will allow me to graphically design the
>>> widgets, and which will then generate Ada code?
> 
>> Wasting time, but you won't believe me anyway. So take 
>> any, it is actually no matter. Once you have it behind
>> you, you can make a fresh start and begin working 
>> productively.
> 
> Could you please elaborate a little as to why, in your opinion, GUI
> builders are a waste of time? Is it because the quality of the generated
> code is unsatisfactory? Or because they are too complex to use?

Because it is impossible to separate GUI from functional code, especially
when the GUI uses low-level libraries not written in Ada. Even if the
library were written in Ada, I doubt that a decent GUI builder would be
possible to make. You should ask Randy, who is an author of Claw.

The only purpose a builder might have (apart from casual applications) is
for creating a prototype for the customer, and for later, as a kind of
specification for the production GUI.

> Also, in case I decide to write all the GUI code manually, which path do
> you advise me to take: Gtk or Qt? (I only need basic edit windows, dialogs
> and forms). And are there good tutorials that explain how to do it in an
> easy way?

AFIAK, both frameworks are more or less equivalent in their capacities [and
ugliness]. You should probably toss a coin.

I don't advocate for Gtk, I took Gtk simply because AdaCore did and because
there always has been some shadow of suspicion regarding Qt licensing.

-- 
Regards,
Dmitry A. Kazakov
http://www.dmitry-kazakov.de