What's your favorite SDK (or framework or toolkit) for building desktop apps?<p>I've got few requirements:
- Cross-platform (Can build and distribute Windows, Mac, & Linux executables)<p><pre><code> - Great documentation
- Open source or commercial licensing
</code></pre>
I do Java and Ruby programming, so there a few that come to mind:<p><pre><code> * Swing
* SWT
* HotCocoa
</code></pre>
I've also found:<p><pre><code> * Qt
* wxWidgets
</code></pre>
If you've used one of these SDKs, was it successful? Did you get the job done on time? What was the learning curve like?<p>Thanks
Mine is Qt.<p>I am developing an admin client for PostgreSQL: pgXplorer (github.com/davyjones/pgXplorer). I was coding primary on a Windows platform and decided at some point that a Linux build would be useful as well. I was surprised when the project compiled the first time I imported it into my Linux environment, and that too without any tweaks. So yeah...more than surprised actually.<p>But...there are some issues I am facing with window behaviour, mouse events, etc. Still working on that.
If I where doing a Desktop Java app, I think I would take the time to learn JavaFX. While I don't think we will see widespread adoption, I do think most people will favor it over swing. I did a simple app in it and I prefer it to swing. Take my advise with a grain of salt though, I have not been deep in desktop for a long time. It was a fluke that I had a Java desktop app contract.
wxWidgets is my choice. Native widgets in all platforms.<p>I also believe it is the preferred toolkit for game related development if your game uses OpenGL and or DirectX.