The (highly unofficial) FIDONET OS2PROG C++ compiler pros and cons list
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            What C++ class libraries are available for OS/2 ?
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      [ Note : this part of the Pros and Cons list is incomplete. ]


  ~ IBM OpenClass

    IBM OpenClass is intended to be a complete application framework in its
    own right.  It covers everything, from strings and sets, through
    threads and processes, to frames, listboxes and sliders.  It is
    entirely possible to write complex PM applications using IOC, and never
    have to include  to get at the system API directly.

    IOC uses the standard "construction is creation" metaphor when it comes
    to user interface elements.  It also introduces the rather neat idea of
    "handlers", which is an exceptionally elegant way of solving the
    problem of dealing with PM messages without the need for ugly macros
    and tables that are necessary with other C++ GUI class libraries.

    IOC is shipped with IBM VisualAge C++ for OS/2, and IBM VisualAge C++
    for Windows, and most of the time the same source will do for both.  It
    is not available with other C++ compilers.

    IOC also has one of the best "how to" books available for *any* C++
    class library.  It's clear, it's concise, and it explains everything
    from the ethos of IOC to how to attach additional widgets to the title
    bar of your frame windows.

    From the C++ Programmers' Booklist :

        OS/2 C++ Class Library   Power GUI Programming with C Set++
        ===========================================================
        Kevin Leong, Bill Law, Bob Love, Bruce Olson, and Hiroshi Tsuji
        Van Nostrand Reinhold
        800 pages
        ISBN 0-442-01795-2


  ~ ObjectPM, from Secant Technology

    ObjectPM is one of the lesser-known C++ class libraries for OS/2, but
    that is not a reflection on its quality.  It is elegantly organised,
    and rather extensive.

    Unlike IOC, which has to make "lowest common denominator" choices in
    some places due to its desire to support Windows, ObjectPM is aimed
    squarely at Presentation Manager and OS/2, and so does not make such
    compromises.

    One interesting note is that Secant also produces a custom control pack
    for Presentation Manager (in the form of PMCX controls, so you can use
    them from Prominare Designer), along with ObjectPM wrappers for those
    controls.  The control pack includes a spreadsheet control, a calendar
    control, and a bubble help control, to name but a few.

    ObjectPM is available for IBM VisualAge C++ for OS/2 and Borland C++
    for OS/2.

    The book _Objects_for_OS/2_ (VNR) contains a chapter detailing some of
    ObjectPM's internals and classes.  A complete set of working and
    runnable ObjectPM demo apps is included on the CD-ROM that comes with
    the book _OS/2_Warp_Unleashed_ (Sams).

    For more information call Secant Technologies on +1-216-595-3830 and
    ask for information via fax or U.S.Mail.  There is also a BBS.  Those
    of you with money to burn on Internet access can mail to
    info{at}secant.com, or download OPMINFO.DOC, a detailed overview of
    ObjectPM, from Secant Technologies' web site, http://www.secant.com .

    Nick Knight  of Secant Technologies also frequents
    the FIDONET OS2PROG echo and will usually respond to queries posted
    here addressed to him with "ObjectPM" in the subject


  ~ Cubus C++ OS/2 Class Library

    Cubus is a freeware C++ Class Library for OS/2 that encapsulates PM
    and VIO APIs, also including classes for strings, semaphores, threads,
    multimedia, TCP/IP, OS2MEMU, the undocumented DosQProcStatus and
    DosQuerySysState APIs, and much much more.

    The full source to the library is shipped, as well as sample programs
    and binaries.  However, some of the samples were not updated in the
    lastest release (v1.50) and will not compile without minor
    modifications to include the proper header (*.hpp) files.

    Cubus supports all of the major OS/2 compilers:  IBM VisualAge C++,
    MetaWare High C++, EMX C++, Watcom C++, and Borland C++.

    Cubus is written specifically for OS/2 and (like ObjectPM from Secant)
    does not suffer from Least-Common-Denominator-itis.

    Cubus is remarkably bug free, though I have not used all the classes,
    yet.  The documentation for Cubus is, however, very poor.  It consists
    of an .inf file that is not much more than the source code itself.

    Archives available for downloading:

    ftp://ftp-os2.cdrom.com/.4/os2/dev32/oclbin15.zip - binaries
    ftp://ftp-os2.cdrom.com/.4/os2/dev32/oclsmp15.zip - samples
    ftp://ftp-os2.cdrom.com/.4/os2/dev32/oclsrc15.zip - source/tools

    There is also an Internet mailing list for Cubus, oclnews{at}ibm.net .
    To subscribe to it, send a message with the subject
    "subscribe oclnews".

                            -- Review by Phil Crown, FIDONET 1:124/1208.0


  ~ Zinc

    Zinc is a cross-platform GUI class library that supports a wide range
    of C++ compilers on a wide range of platforms (OS/2 PM, X Window,
    Windows, Macintosh).  Unfortunately, this leads to the ultimate in
    Least-Common-Denominator-itis.

    Zinc may be good for producing simple and plain-looking applications,
    but you won't get any advanced PM features out of it, such as CUA91
    controls, or be able to perform complex graphical work with it.


  ~ Borland ObjectWindows for PM

    Borland ships OWL/PM with Borland C++ for OS/2.  Although OWL has won
    many praises on Windows, for being much more object-oriented than its
    competitors, and for encapsulating the Windows API in C++, the same
    cannot be heard from PM developers.  And there's a reason for this.

    The reason is that OWL/PM is deficient and shoddy.  It does not
    encapsulate any of the CUA91 controls, such as notebooks, containers,
    and sliders, that are commonly used in PM applications; its
    documentation is seriously erroneous in several places (all of the
    application initialisation examples won't compile for OS/2
    Presentation Manager because they are *Windows* code); and it tends to
    in general treat PM as if it were Windows, which can result in OWL/PM
    applications missing several fundamental PM features that aren't
    present on Windows.

    On the plus side, there are OWL/PM developers tools Out There.  One
    such is Professor OWL, a shareware OWL development system from Ed
    March Jr., which should be available on all good files sites around
    the world.

    There are also many OWL books.  The fact that many of them are based
    on the assumption that you will be using Windows is not such a
    disadvantage -- considering that OWL/PM so shamefully treats PM as if
    it were.


  ~ ZApp


  ~ C++/Views


  ~ YACL


   / JdeBP .          / (c) Copyright 1996-1996 All Rights Reserved. .
   / FIDONET 2:440/4.0                      JdeBP{at}donor2.demon.co.uk .

... Another excellent OS/2 day goes by.
--- Blue Wave/OS2 v2.20 [NR]