Hi, which is the best and recommended way to progr...

# kotlin-native

[Pablo]

Hi, which is the best and recommended way to program user interfaces for kotlin native for windows/linux? I recently disscovered compose multiplatform, but it seems to require a JVM installed, so it's not what I'm searching for. I'm interested in learning how to develop native applications for windows/linux not dependant of a JVM.

[thiago]

I have attempted to learn QT with C++ but it was a bit too steep of a learning curve to me. I am still using Kotlin+TornadoFX+JVM, but would love a native UI solution, even if it is Linux ONLY.

[Pablo]

so.. there is nothing for now? I suposse compose jvm dependant whould be the best option for now... but I'm waiting to see if more people give more ideas

[Landry Norris]

I liked working with GTK when I tried that.

[Landry Norris]

Compose currently has experimental support for native macOS. I would imagine Linux/Windows will come at a later time, once they have Compose for UIKit working.

[thiago]

well, found this (mostly) recent project with gtk bindings, might give it a shot...
https://gitlab.com/gtk-kt/gtk-kt

[Landry Norris]

I remember there being a project that used gtk bindings with Compose.

[Jeff Lockhart]

I haven't used it, but there's https://github.com/msink/kotlin-libui from @msink.

[msink]

It depends on what you want - with libui you can easily create simple interfaces, for something more complex - better use GTK or Compose.

[corneil]

You can package a JVM application for the desktop as a single executable using jpackage.
I would also venture that it won't be long until GraalVM native support extends to UI applications.

[Pablo]

@corneil interesting point that GraalVM system, but it is GPL 2, that means is not possible use it if someone is going to sell a product?

[corneil]

There is a GraalVM enterprise edition.

[Pablo]

thank you, but I don't like these kind of pay per use editions, I prefeer to discard this and try with another options

[Pablo]

maybe packaging a JVM as a single executable whould work, will that allow commercial use? maybe if i use adoptopenjdk (I don't know if it's the best and smaller option) instead of oracle jvm?

[corneil]

There are multiple openjdk distributions to choose from some provide optional commercial support which may useful if you want to give your customers the option. foojay.io is one place to discover all the distributions.