Simple graphical program, which language/library?

e1in9 · 2010-07-08 13:05:43

Hi all,

I need to visualize (moving) squares in a grid. (The program will be made in OO approach.)
There also could be a timer functionality to pause the movement or view it slower/faster.

However I have no experience with graphical output except using Java, and I'd peferably not use Java.
Also I only know C++, Java and Scheme so far, but could learn another language.

Would it be a good idea to use C++ with the Allegro library, or e.g. something different like Python with TkInter? What would you recommend?

awkwood · 2010-07-08 14:43:59

I'd go with Javascript, depending on the complexity of course.
Libraries like jQuery and script.aculo.us have simplified web-based animation quite a lot, allow you to control animation speed easily, and it will work on all platforms.

A quick search turned up these examples:
http://www.authenticsociety.com/gShuffle-1/
http://www.bennadel.com/blog/1009-jQuer … lug-In.htm

JS:
http://jquery.com/
http://script.aculo.us/

drcouzelis · 2010-07-08 14:53:06

If you already know C++, using C++ and Allegro would allow you to quickly create the squares moving around the screen. (I'm a big fan of Allegro)

If you need something, like, menus and buttons, then Allegro might not be the best choice.

e1in9 · 2010-07-08 15:57:29

Thanks for your tips;
I don't really need buttons etc. so Allegro will do.
I will check Javascript too; didn't think of that.

shetland_breeder · 2010-07-08 19:26:20

Python? Does everything the other's mentioned do but in a cleaner easier to use way.

After a bit other languages seem like something out of the ark - and I'm not sure I'd dignify javascript with 'language' anyway - it's an evil horrible kluge. If it didn't exist no-one would want to invent it.

Pete
(Pythonista)

xenobrain · 2010-07-09 14:00:21

Why, of course I recommend Qt, with use of a QGraphicsView. ;-)

I don't know much of Allegro having chosen to learn SDL instead, but I understand both have C++ wrappers available. If Allegro is anything like SDL (and supposedly it is), then your project should be fairly easy to implement with it.

I still prefer a QGraphicsView over SDL though, much cleaner API and thoroughly OO. Nicely supports SVG and PNG+Alpha channels. There are multiple compositing modes (overlay, multiply etc), plus great animation and state machine frameworks!

Tons of examples and demos available too. You can see them if you install qt-doc and go to /usr/share/doc/qt/

And if you don't mind trying something really, really new, I'd bet you could whip up a grid of moving squares in Qt's brand-new QML faster than absolutely anything else (pygame, javascript etc included! Maybe not flash, but meh....).

(I'm not a shill if the software's open-source, right? )

Last edited by xenobrain (2010-07-09 14:20:23)

Inxsible · 2010-07-09 14:37:21

I try to keep away from javascript even in my JEE apps. Server side validations unless its extremely simple to do at client side.
You don't want to use Java, but Java Swing can be a good tool to build graphical programs. Although I am not sure if you need it to be lightweight or not.

lordmetroid · 2010-07-09 15:33:10

For something simple I would make use of the standard graphic library in Java or if I am doing something serious I would code the application using OpenGL.

simlan · 2010-07-10 08:07:18

You could also think about Processing http://processing.org/(A mashup of Java to make it suitable for simple Animations) or the sytactic equivalent processing.js

kokoko3k · 2010-07-10 11:17:07

I'm sure gambas would do the trick too

PirateJonno · 2010-07-10 11:53:14

Wow, what a clutter of different options!

valium97582 · 2010-07-16 20:40:47

Hey, there is Racket, which is an excellent option, considering you know Scheme. Racket is a dialect/language based on Scheme, but it has class suport et alia.

Svenstaro · 2010-07-16 21:56:14

Use SFML, it is the only sane choice

valium97582 · 2010-07-17 00:03:31

Yep, Svenstaro is right. Lisp and its dialects are for insane people. Lucky me, I am insane.

jumzi · 2010-07-18 15:57:43

Assembly... no doubt

JohnVV · 2010-07-18 18:49:11

there are already a bunch of posts but
Have you looked at "CImg.h "
look at " An animation featuring triangles that are rotating (50 lines of code)."
http://cimg.sourceforge.net/screenshots.shtml
http://cimg.sourceforge.net/img/ss_triangle.jpg

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#1 2010-07-08 13:05:43

Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#2 2010-07-08 14:43:59

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#3 2010-07-08 14:53:06

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#4 2010-07-08 15:57:29

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#5 2010-07-08 19:26:20

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#6 2010-07-09 14:00:21

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#7 2010-07-09 14:37:21

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#8 2010-07-09 15:33:10

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#9 2010-07-10 08:07:18

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#10 2010-07-10 11:17:07

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#11 2010-07-10 11:53:14

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#12 2010-07-16 20:40:47

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#13 2010-07-16 21:56:14

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#14 2010-07-17 00:03:31

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#15 2010-07-18 15:57:43

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

#16 2010-07-18 18:49:11

Re: Simple graphical program, which language/library?

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