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About OWLNext

OWL stands for Object Windows Library. It is a C++ GUI framework for creating Windows applications.

OCF stands for Object Component Framework, and is built upon OWL to provide support for OLE-based applications.

OWL was developed by Borland, but after 1997 was discontinued in favor of the new RAD framework VCL.

Pros and cons of OWLNext

Advantages of using OWLNext:

  • OWLNext is an object-oriented framework, built on top of the Windows API without adding much overhead.
  • OWLNext is pure C++ library, which does not use any vendor- or compiler- specific extensions.
  • OWLNext fully supports developing Unicode applications.
  • OWLNext can be used with wide range of C++ compilers. Currently it is tested with
    • Borland Developer Studio 2006
    • Borland C++ Builder 6.0
    • Borland Free C++ Compiler 5.5
    • Borland C++ 5.01/5.02
    • Microsoft Visual C++ 2005
    • Microsoft Visual C++ 2003
    • Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0
    Also in the past it has been working with Borland C++ Builder 1.0-5.0, Microsoft Visual C++ 5.0 and GCC and has been ported to Linux using WINE
  • OWLNext offers easy upgrade path for porting legacy OWL applications to modern compilers and operating systems.

Disadvantages of using OWLNext:

  • Writing applications using OWLNext is more time-consuming than using form-based frameworks like VCL or WinForms.
  • OWLNext is open-source project, and depends on contributions and help from it's community.

License

OWLNext and OCFNext are distributed with a zlib/libpng license with the exception that the full OWLNext and OCFNext source code cannot be distributed without the permission of the original copyright holder.



Last updated: 18 April 2007