I'm not a UI developer and have limited experience creating user interfaces for Windows applications. I started with Tkinter for my app, but it lacks a modern look. I'm wondering if there's a better Python library for crafting sleek desktop UIs? If Python isn't the best option, I'd be open to using another language that's relatively easy to pick up.
Also, my application combines components written in both C++ and Python, so it's important that the UI can communicate effectively with both. Would it be viable to compile everything separately and have the UI interact with each executable? Or is there a more efficient architectural design I should consider? I'm also contemplating learning C# for the UI; how long would it realistically take to grasp the basics of C# and frameworks like WPF or WinForms? I'm aiming for a solution that's modern yet straightforward to implement, so any suggestions would be appreciated!
6 Answers
Combining technologies like Next.js, Vite.js, Electron, and Tailwind CSS can really help when creating modern UIs. It's a solid stack if you're into JavaScript development.
If you want a modern UI, consider using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript with Electron. It's super popular because of how quick and easy it is to develop. It's not the only method, but it's definitely worth looking into!
For building Windows apps, try the Delphi IDE with C++ or the open-source Lazarus IDE. Lazarus lets you develop on one platform and run on macOS, Windows, and Linux, which is pretty sweet!
PySide6 is my go-to right now for PyQt. It's popular and easy to use for GUI development. I’ve had great experiences with it. Just check out Qt's website for some hands-on experimentation to see if you like it!
C# is a solid option for Windows desktop applications. Microsoft has developed several frameworks like WinForms, WPF, .NET MAUI, and WinUI. I'd recommend focusing on WPF or WinUI; WinUI is the newer framework and will receive ongoing updates, but WPF has a more established community and support.
Google's Flutter framework is one of the easiest ways to create a UI. It has lots of pre-made widgets and is pretty flexible. You will need to learn Dart, but with some programming background, it shouldn't be too tough. Plus, Flutter supports various platforms like Windows, macOS, and mobile devices from the same codebase!
Looks really promising!