c++ - Need alternatives to WinAPI -

because of recent question closed, here's different approach same question.

i have found trying learn winapi difficult , isn't required of time able take advantage of native features (thanks spook) , need different approach.

i prefer c++ , have little experience qt, because i'd take advantage of platform specific features, qt not viable solution.

i care portability , .net might not viable unless there way use local resources instead of ones included in .net framework installer.

so please enumerate alternatives can start studying able these things.

for example if make uses aero transparency this or if need program able manipulate other windows such minimize/maximize them tools can use other winapi?

i'm not sure understand, because there nothing hindering using platform specific features if use qt (or other x-platform framework). separate specific features in different complilation units different platforms wish support. there' not more that.

nominally define interface/class in header file, can implement interface/class in multiple different body files, each 1 holding implementation of specific platform, f.i. win32/mac os x /linux.

f.i in header (.h file):

class myxplatformclass { public:    static std::string getmachinename(); } 

then implement "interface" in cpp files:

win32:

std::string myxplatformclass::getmachinename() {    char buffer[256];     getcomputernamea(buffer, sizeof(buffer));    return buffer; } 

mac os x (and linux ?):

std::string myxplatformclass::getmachinename() {    char buffer[256];     gethostname(&buffer, sizeof(buffer));    return buffer; } 

this how cross platform coding done, , has nothing framework choose work with. recommend qt though, because "complete", meaning has pretty tools required not bother platform specific code. if need it, can use approach above.