Another day in Qt/CMAKE paradise. After having downloaded the sources for LMMS (instead of getting them from the Git repository) and opening the CMakeLists.txt file, which is a large buildscript, I had a little bit more succes.
Unfortunately, even though the compiler and the platform are detected correctly, CMAKE is unable to find libsndfile1:

CMake Error at CMakeLists.txt:119 (MESSAGE): LMMS requires libsndfile1 and libsndfile1-dev >= 1.0.11 - please install, remove CMakeCache.txt and try again!

Now, I have version 1.0.20 installed, and put the folder this library lives in, into the PATH variable (sic). Still, no luck >_<

I've been struggling with CMAKE all evening to get the LMMS project to open properly in QtCreator. I must be spoiled by the easy .NET solution-files or something... it all seems so terribly primitive to me. On the other hand, I guess that's what you get when you need to be platform agnostic... Also, I seem to have to put each and every single tool I install (GIT, Qt, CMAKE) in the PATH... Talk about a 'back-to-the-nineties-timemachine' feeling :(

Ever since having watched a talk about the Qt platform I've been wanting to try it out. Since I don't really have a background in C and C++ there are some ostacles on my road to Qt that I have to overcome.

1) Syntax: the C++ syntax looks quite a lot like C#'s (I know it's the other way around actually) so that's not a big issue. I've also done some minor things in C (most notably the first 20 or so problems from Project Euler), so C++ doesn't look all that freaky. Nevertheless, doing OO in C++ will take some adjusting.
2) Ide: I've been programming in different version of Visual Studio for about 3 years now, but I do want to get to terms with the Qt Creator. I just found out that there's also a Visual Studio Plug in so I might give that a try as well.
3) Libraries: this will be the major change I'm going to face. I feel pretty much at home in the .NET framework; I know the major namespaces and what kind of stuff they contain. Most importantly I've grown used to the whole .NET idiom of Assemblies, Reflection, Events and what not. Finding out the Qt equivalents of it to really start programming into the language will be my greates challenge.
4) A project: I need a project to get me going. Now there are three ideas I'm goign to look into. I'm going to get a Nokia E71 next week, a nice smartphone running Symbian 60. I'd like to make a nice metronome application for that device. Second, I just found out that the LMMS is also done in Qt. So that's something worth looking into as well. Thidly, I'm thinking of creating an educational game togther with my mum, who recently graduated as art teacher.

All in all, it's a reasonable roadmap ahead of me:
1) Learn C++
2) Dive into Qt using one of my 3 projects
3) Get acquinted with the Qt platform more intimately.
4) Publish a nice usable Qt app :)

I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Since my focus is shifting from WPF to other technologies, I've decided to drop the name 'The Daily WPF' next month. So, the URL's 'dailywpf.com' and 'dailywpf.nl' will no longer be available from December 12. 2009.

This weblog will be available through blog.rubensteins.nl for now (until I find a new name), so update your bookmarks accordingly.

Thanks!
Ruben

Are you still being forced to use Visual Studio 2005? How about making a business case for VS 2008 or VS 2010 by showing your manager this Visual Studio Myth-busting Matrix that neatly sums up all the pros of upgrading to a modern version of our favourite IDE.





WPF-folks should be really looking forward to 2010 with it's swanky desingers and WPF startpage!