What is DialogBlocks?

DialogBlocks is a Rapid Application Development (RAD) tool that can generate XRC or C++ code for your dialogs and frames. It can also generate a skeleton application and makefile and even compile your code using a range of popular compilers. DialogBlocks can invoke the GDB debugger for simple debugging with the GCC compiler, but it's recommended that you use a more sophisticated debugger for intensive use.

When DialogBlocks generates code, it inserts special comments, and it is free to replace code between these comments. You can edit the file outside these blocks, either using the DialogBlocks source editor or in an external editor or IDE. When you switch back to DialogBlocks from another application, DialogBlocks will prompt you to reload changed files as appropriate.

Unlike other dialog editor tools you may be used to, DialogBlocks doesn't support drag and drop for placing elements. Instead, you place elements inside sizers, which know how to lay out their children. So to lay out three buttons in a row, for example, you create a horizontal box sizer and insert three buttons. You build up a hierarchy of sizers and controls, and this provides the portability, adaptation to translations, and resizing ability described in Chapter 7, "Window Layout Using Sizers." If it feels a little odd at first, persevereafter a short while, it will "click," and then you'll find it a very powerful and easy way to build complex and attractive dialogs.

DialogBlocks Personal Edition has the following restrictions: wizards are limited to four pages, only one "custom control definition" can be created, there is the occasional nag screen, Windows RC file import is disabled, and the tool is for personal rather than commercial use. The full version of DialogBlocks can be purchased from http://www.anthemion.co.uk/dialogblocks.