My product has a GUI built in VB6. It’s a dinosaur but it was great for GUI. I am looking for our next great GUI builder. I need multiple platform and both desktop and web support.
There are several developers. Besides VB6 we use Qt and the slew of Javascript tools (React, Electron). We are also looking at C++ Builder.
A lot of our underlying code is in C/C++ and will stay that way.
While the app is currently Windows-only I would like it to run on Linux and maybe Apple and Android.
I would like to consolidate my GUI work as much as possible.
In looking at Xojo as an alternative I have some concerns.
The IDE.
In VB6, we absolutely love the just-in-time debugger that is found virtually no where else. I know I will have to get used to that.
In Xojo it appears as though we can’t look at all of the functions, subs, and properties in a single view. Is that true? If so, I have to assume the IDE compensates for that in some way. I’d like to know how others have made this adjustment from almost any other environment.
I like the GUI builder. Aside from the properties provided in the Inspector view, can individual controls, such as a button, be further customized by code? Not that I want to do this, but sometimes it is necessary (This is what I don’t like about Javascript as it has no GUI builder). For instance, maybe you want to change the colors on a button. Is that possible? In my quick look, I see font, bold, italic, and underline but not colors. There are many other examples.
In VB6 code is stored in various files (.frm, .frx, .cls, .bas) so multiple users can relatively easily work together without too much conflict and use a choice of source control methods. How is this done in Xojo?
Does Xojo support an off-line, desktop worldview like Google Earth? I know it has a control for a web app but it doesn’t appear for a desktop.
I like the looks and (familiar) feel of Xojo.
I realize that a trial is the best way to answer most of these concerns but I also value the input of other users and I’m curious what you might have to say.
Thanks.
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