Tools for non-Microsoft programming languages and Metro

Question

I use a non-Microsoft programming language (PowerBasic) using native coding (akin to writing apps using C and the Win32). It appears Metro can run actual EXE's (dot.net and C++), so it is only reasonable that non-Microsoft languages should be usable to build Metro applications.

Are there any tools for helping build Metro apps using non-Microsoft languages ?

If not, is it being considered ?

 

Answer 1

Hi Chris,

That would certainly be possible, but it would be up to the authors of the non-Microsoft languages to ensure that their code and libraries were Metro-compliant. Beyond that, if the language supports COM it can access the Windows Runtime even without syntactic support by the language.

--Rob

Answer 2

I am a long time Powerbasic programmer and I write apps using the Windows API (Win32).

I don't do dot.net either.

Can the WinRT be accessed like we access the Win32 API (albeit using COM) ?

Do we just create an application with a WinMain and then access the WinRT instead of Win32 API's ?

Are there any tools so a non-MS written Metro app can be packaged properly, ready for Metro ?

 

---

Chris Boss GUI tools developer

Answer 3

Can the WinRT be accessed like we access the Win32 API (albeit using COM) ?

Essentially yes. See Windows Runtime internals: understanding "Hello World" for some low level information that will help.

Do we just create an application with a WinMain and then access the WinRT instead of Win32 API's ?

Yes. You can also use the Win32 and COM API listed here.

Are there any tools so a non-MS written Metro app can be packaged properly, ready for Metro ?

Yes. See the App packages and deployment documentation for information on the contents of the app package and the App Packager for a tool to create one. You (or Powerbasic's authors) could also use the packaging API to create your own tool.

--Rob