In this guide, we will show you how to develop Windows applications and what software is needed for this.
How to Develop Windows Applications
According to Statista, Windows 10 is the most popular Windows desktop operating system, accounting for over 78% of the market share as of June 2021. Because of this, the number of applications is only increasing. That is why a lot of children after they graduate from school are learning how to program Windows Apps.
Programming – the process of creating computer programs using programming languages. In other words, it is the implementation of one or more interrelated algorithms in some programming language. Programming languages are divided into:
- Machine-independent (C, C++, Pascal)
- Machine-oriented (assembler language)
Machine-independent languages are used when it is necessary to construct the most compact machine code and create the most rapid programs. They operate directly on memory cells and program-accessible elements of the microprocessor. Often programming languages are chosen based on program structure.
There are 3 types of program structures possible in the Windows operating system:
- Dialog.
- Console.
- Classical.
Dialog applications have a minimal interface with the user and transfer information to the user through the standard dialog boxes (for example, MessageBox()). The program works “blindly”.
A console application is a program that runs in text mode. The console application is reminiscent of an MS-DOS program. But this is only a superficial impression. A console application is provided by special Windows features. Console applications are a system of interaction means between the user and the computer, based on the use of text (alphanumeric) mode display or similar (command-line MS-DOS). Console applications are very compact not only in compiled form, but also in text form, and have the same ability to access the resources of Windows via API functions as classical applications.
Classical applications are built on the basis of special API functions set that make up a graphical user interface (GUI, Graphic User Interface). The main element of such an application is a window. A window may contain control elements: buttons, lists, edit boxes, and so on. In fact, they are also windows, but they have special properties.
The difference between classical and console Windows applications is the type of information they work with.
Microsoft Visual Studio – the software needed to develop Windows applications
In fact, you could program without any special software, just with a text editor such as Notepad. However, there are very complete programs (integrated development environment) that, in addition to helping you program, allow you to compile code to turn your lines into something functional.
Microsoft Visual Studio is an advanced development environment. This IDE is specifically designed for creating Windows app from scratch and is compatible with major Visual languages such as ASP.NET, Visual C ++, Visual C #, Visual J #, and Visual Basic .NET.
Conclusion
Now you know how to develop Windows applications and what software is needed for this. This is not an easy process, but if you will improve your skills, you will be able to create a real Windows app. Complex Windows apps often create professional development teams with great experience in this field.