GUI Application Launcher and windowing system

[Keybone]

Well I havent worked on my GUI for a long while. Monthes...

So the other day I randomly got started working on it again.

I tried to totally rewrite it from scratch but didnt get the result i wanted.

So, I thought, why not just take my version that works and simplify the hell out of it.

I rewrote most sections piece by piece, and now the code is over 200 lines smaller.

The windows dont resize or maximize anymore, only minimize, move, and restore back to window.

some of the icons on the desktop launch external applications, some are minimized windows.

all the shortcuts will need to be changed because they are set up for my computer.

also, a few shortcuts are set up to open a file browser pointed at a specific directory.



I tacked on the background image subroutines as an afterthought so changing the wallpaper is all the way at the end of the program.

and adding new shortcuts and windows is at the top.



Here are some screenshots:



















and here is the source:


  os3-2.7z (Size: 148 KB / Downloads: 63)

[SpriggsySpriggs]

Wait, does this actually open programs in managed windows with this?

[Keybone]

Wait, does this actually open programs in managed windows with this?

you can create programs inside the windows but it needs a widget toolkit.
all you do is draw widget, check there for mouseclick, and perform action if clicked. i didnt get that far.
it also runs external programs using shell.

[Pete]

And one of my favorite people is back...

I made a similar project several years ago, probably my first graphics program, come to think of it. Fun stuff.

Rewrites are tougher than we originally think they will be. I think Rob figured that out before he started trying to completely rewrite QB64. For a project that big, no fun. For one like this, I wish you the best. Certainly doable and showcases very well how QB64 can look ever bit as good as professional Windows.

Pete

[Keybone]

And one of my favorite people is back...

I made a similar project several years ago, probably my first graphics program, come to think of it. Fun stuff.

Rewrites are tougher than we originally think they will be. I think Rob figured that out before he started trying to completely rewrite QB64. For a project that big, no fun. For one like this, I wish you the best. Certainly doable and showcases very well how QB64 can look ever bit as good as professional Windows.

Pete

Yeah I havent been around in a while. This post is actually the result of the rewrite. wrote the last version in 2017 and the code looked like it could use some improvement. Now at this point im trying to figure out what im gonna do for a widget toolkit so i can have more than just blank windows. got my work cut out for me. :-)

[Pete]

And one of my favorite people is back...

I made a similar project several years ago, probably my first graphics program, come to think of it. Fun stuff.

Rewrites are tougher than we originally think they will be. I think Rob figured that out before he started trying to completely rewrite QB64. For a project that big, no fun. For one like this, I wish you the best. Certainly doable and showcases very well how QB64 can look ever bit as good as professional Windows.

Pete

Yeah I havent been around in a while. This post is actually the result of the rewrite. wrote the last version in 2017 and the code looked like it could use some improvement. Now at this point im trying to figure out what im gonna do for a widget toolkit so i can have more than just blank windows. got my work cut out for me. :-)

If it helps, it took 150+ people to develop Windows 95. You've gotten this far on your own!

Folks need to know just what a huge endeavor this is. I mean coding Notepad alone is about 5000 code lines, but at some point you can share certain functions with other apps, if you set out to do so with the right library structure to begin with.

Best of luck with the project. It is hands down the best GUI I've seen posted over the last three forums.

Pete

[Keybone]

And one of my favorite people is back...

I made a similar project several years ago, probably my first graphics program, come to think of it. Fun stuff.

Rewrites are tougher than we originally think they will be. I think Rob figured that out before he started trying to completely rewrite QB64. For a project that big, no fun. For one like this, I wish you the best. Certainly doable and showcases very well how QB64 can look ever bit as good as professional Windows.

Pete

Yeah I havent been around in a while. This post is actually the result of the rewrite. wrote the last version in 2017 and the code looked like it could use some improvement. Now at this point im trying to figure out what im gonna do for a widget toolkit so i can have more than just blank windows. got my work cut out for me. :-)

If it helps, it took 150+ people to develop Windows 95. You've gotten this far on your own!

Folks need to know just what a huge endeavor this is. I mean coding Notepad alone is about 5000 code lines, but at some point you can share certain functions with other apps, if you set out to do so with the right library structure to begin with.

Best of luck with the project. It is hands down the best GUI I've seen posted over the last three forums.

Pete

Well thanks Pete. To be fair to other GUI projects, most people start and give up. Ive been sticking to it for years, with long breaks.

[Dav]

Nice, @Keybone.  Hope you continue with this. 

- Dav

[Keybone]

Nice, @Keybone.  Hope you continue with this. 

- Dav

This version of my gui was directly based off this:

https://qb64phoenix.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=73

It is the refactor that I was saying that it needed.
I might give it one more pass at some point.

it is an ongoing project