How to write a desktop application? (Windows)?

pilgr2012-01-04 17:54:55

Adobe

pilgr, 2012-01-04 17:54:55

A small application that should hang in the tray and have access to:
- emulate keyboard keystrokes
- know the name of the active process (whose window is currently active on the screen)
- access the network, connects to a mobile device
Should be lightweight. Should contain a small amount of GUI for customization. Now the application is written in java+swing. From java, working with WinAPI is a crutch, really. Yes, and JRE have to carry with you.
Therefore, the question is, what is the best way to write such an application?
Options came to my mind:
- Python + web-muzzle for GUI
- Adobe AIR
- Chrome extension
- Silverlight
But it is not clear whether it is possible to access low-level Windows functions through them. What do you advise?

Answer the question

In order to leave comments, you need to log in

15 answer(s)

igrishaev, 2012-01-05
@pilgr

For python, there is a Win32 package, which has everything you need for programming under Windows. For GUI - several libraries to choose from (native Tk, wx, Qt). The project can be compiled to exe. Look at the Dropbox client - an example of what can be raised in python.

ixSci, 2012-01-04
@ixSci

C++ Qt

@ngreduce, 2012-01-04
_

Any language with access to the Windows API can do this.

Sergey Savostin, 2012-01-04
@savostin

Write in… WinAPI ;-)
Easier and straighter than ever, just…

@antoo, 2012-01-04
_

Maybe C#?

grishkaa, 2012-01-04
@grishkaa

Plain C++ "Win32 application" in Visual Studio, why bother with frameworks and stuff?

alienrom, 2012-01-04
@alienrom

AutoIt

bald2b, 2012-01-05
@bald2b

I wrote an application in c # that hangs in the tray and intercepts button presses, it took 2 pm, there is a lot of documentation, it’s very easy to work with WinAPI, it’s nice to write.

AlexanderG, 2012-01-04
@AlexanderG

If Windows, then either C# (although you may have to tinker a bit with calls to WinAPI), or C ++ / Delphi, because, unlike the options you suggested, native code, plus you don’t need to drag frameworks with you (as in C #). C++ may require the installation of C++ Redistributables.

Renat Ibragimov, 2012-01-05
@MpaK999

I would also choose C #, you can quickly add windows and an interface using the WPF designer, and there is enough documentation for the evening in the tray and hooks of the WinAPI ®MSDN keys.

StyleT, 2012-01-04
@StyleT

With ++, you can make it lightweight and get access to everything

Zhbert, 2012-01-07
@Zhbert

On what you know.

Monnoroch, 2012-01-04
@Monnoroch

And I will be non-standard and in the context of my advertising campaign of this language I will advise D. There are some for the GUI, there is even Qt binding, the language itself is very pleasant. But it's certainly not mainstream (yet).

Finom, 2012-01-04
@Finom

Dig towards Windows Script Host. I'm not sure if it will fit, but it's worth digging.

MaxElc, 2012-01-07
@MaxElc

I would write something similar using Autohotkey. Take a closer look - most likely you will have enough of its capabilities