Ask HN: Any way to write a simple desktop app anymore?

[KenPainter]

Back in the day I used Foxpro, originally for single users, then LAN, then client/server.

Foxpro was only one of many desktop tools that were reviled by Real Programmers(tm) but they sure got the job done.

For years I've missed this basic ability to make an app for myself where I could ignore the "stack" and just get the job done. Before I go off and start some side project, anybody know of anything?

[msmitha]

The Lazarus product (Delphi-like) might work for you.

Nothing runs like the fox!

[Heavywater]

Does this mean that fox is faster?

[colund]

Consider WxWidgets (or wxPython). It's great for native cross platform development. Check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhQ7aeKjYG4 for a fun example.

[neonsunset]

Windows Forms is still alive and will never die, and very low overhead to start with, and works on new and shiny .NET 8.

If Linux or macOS, you can use AvaloniaUI instead which is sufficiently advanced but assumes some prior knowledge.

- https://github.com/dotnet/winforms/blob/main/docs/getting-st...

- https://docs.avaloniaui.net/docs/get-started/

[lee-rhapsody]

+1 for Winforms unless you're on a *nix platform. Drag and drop, C# (or VB, if you prefer) is easy and flexible, and the app will work on basically any Windows device.

[schemescape]

Do you have any programming language or UI toolkit preference? That will likely scope your options.

If it's just for you, you could use something simple like Tk (e.g. Python + Tkinter).

[austin-cheney]

A desktop app in Windows only requires an executable. Rust and Zig compile to executables.

Lately I have made efforts to divorce a variety of games for Windows from Steam DRM. I am hosting these games on a Linux file server for ease of access anywhere in the house. I am also using WinLaunch as a front end to map to the game executables so that in one click I can be running a large Windows game from any of my Windows computers.

[mikewarot]

Lazarus is a cross platform Pascal GUI IDE that makes building Windows executables almost trivial. You can also target Linux, etc.

[sloaken]

I use C# with Visual Studio Community.

Typically I use Windows Forms as it is easy and plenty of online help, as it has not changed much since they tried to get rid of it 20 years ago LOL. (specifically Windows Forms App NOT Windows Forms App (.NET Framework))

Works well with SQLite if you need a DB.

Sometimes I just do a console app if it fits the need.

[carlosjobim]

Yes! With Automator in MacOS you can make simple desktop apps, automatic terminal apps, services that you can invoke from other apps and more. It's great!

[ravshan]

If you want only windows, then Winforms is the easiest solution for you. You can drag and drop elements, it is simple and gets the job done.

[kirkarg]

I've been using vb.net for a while. I love how easy and fast is for small projects.

[tomohawk]

For terminal apps, go + bubbletea

[geoah]

love everything Charmbracelet, but I would not call bubble tea easy to use. once your app becomes a bit complicated all hell breaks loose.

[KenPainter]

Thanks everyone this gives me a lot to look at.

[badpun]

Java Swing still works.

[cranberryturkey]

tauri might be good.