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DeFossilizeFLUID

Matthias Melcher edited this page Feb 25, 2024 · 4 revisions

DeFossilize FLUID

Work in progress is here.

FLUID is the Fast Light User Interface Designer that is included with FLTK. FLUID can be used as a command line tool to quickly convert .fl files into C++ source code files, or interactive mode to create windows and dialog boxes with a hierarchy of user interface element.

FLUID was started in the mid 1990's and grew over time. Its base code was close to C with a few classes to implement a factory. Over time, various developers added a colorful mix of features, and as FLTK itself grew, new widgets needed to be supported in FLUID as well. For reasons I don't want to get into here, there are no templates, RTTI, or std library elements in FLUID. This changes in 2024, and I have taken this as a sign to incrementally improve and modernize FLUID.

My own C++ knowledge is self taught in the early 90's, so this endeavor is as much a learning experience for me, trying to sort things out as I go.

An initial request on Reddit r/cpp lead to a ton of previous experience, helpful hints and tips, and great links to other resources.

I will try to keep this diary current, maybe as a path for other modernization project, probably with some dead ends too, and also some how to not do things.

Matthias

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