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Creating a simple GUI utility


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I want to create a simple GUI utility that spits out a txt file after the user makes his selections (radio buttons, drop down menus, text boxes etc).

Or if the utility can simply put this (txt) information into the default mail program using a mailto option, that would be perfect.

Functionality of the program would be like this:

1. Click on the program exe file.

2. User is presented with a gui with different options.

3. He can make all the selections and then click done.

4. Program pulls up the defaul mail program and outputs all this information into the body of the message and puts an reciever email address based on the selections.

Which is the easiest program/language that I should go about doing this?

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C# or VB.NET as Visual Studio has the easiest and most intuitive GUI designer, at least for beginners.

Java (Swing) in Netbeans would be a close contender, but definitely not as polished.

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If we're talking real programming languages and not some highly abstract utility, go with .NET in C# or VB.NET

Draw your GUI in the editor, a submit button, then in the click even for the submit button read the contents of the other controls, turn it into a string, and then load the default e-mail client with that.

This is a very simple project, but if you know nothing at all about .NET then it may not be that simple. If you're already familiar with something else you should use that. From your question, you probably aren't, so if this all sounds like too much then you should seriously consider just making it a simple web form in HTML that just launches the e-mail client with a mailto: when you click submit. This is the absolute simplest solution, and one that is totally cross-platform.

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If we're talking real programming languages and not some highly abstract utility, go with .NET in C# or VB.NET

Draw your GUI in the editor, a submit button, then in the click even for the submit button read the contents of the other controls, turn it into a string, and then load the default e-mail client with that.

This is a very simple project, but if you know nothing at all about .NET then it may not be that simple. If you're already familiar with something else you should use that. From your question, you probably aren't, so if this all sounds like too much then you should seriously consider just making it a simple web form in HTML that just launches the e-mail client with a mailto: when you click submit. This is the absolute simplest solution, and one that is totally cross-platform.

I'm not familiar with C#, I have some background of C++ but its been a while.

Cant I just simply use Visual Studio and end up with an executable that does exactly this?

Thank you all for your suggestions, very helpful (Y)

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Something as simple as that you might want to look at AutoIT

http://www.autoitscript.com

Features:

* Easy to learn BASIC-like syntax

* Simulate keystrokes and mouse movements

* Manipulate windows and processes

* Interact with all standard windows controls

* Scripts can be compiled into standalone executables

* Create Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)

* COM support

* Regular expressions

* Directly call external DLL and Windows API functions

* Scriptable RunAs functions

* Detailed helpfile and large community-based support forums

* Compatible with Windows 95 / 98 / ME / NT4 / 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista / 2008

* Unicode and x64 support

* Digitally signed for peace of mind

* Works with Windows Vista's User Account Control (UAC)

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VB.NET is probably the easiest for beginners.

If you have some prior programming learning, it shouldn't be difficult.

The GUI designer of Visual Studio, as one person above is one of the most intuitive. You can download the Express Editions of the languages you want/need, which are free.

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Just use C and win32 api.

A so simple app is done in 10 minutes.. (5 minutes with Vs dlg editor)

Not very easy for a beginner. I would recommend VB .NET to do this quickly and easily. Although if you want to continue learning in the future use C#, a better language IMO.

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C, C++, or C# if you have plans to further your programming learning.

If you're wanting something quick, easy and fast to learn; then Visual Basic .NET will easily do what you're wanting done.

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