Windows

[Dave T]

Hello,

I am a retired programmer (fortran, C, yes we exist). I have a desktop
application in mind that I would like to develop. I realize
there is a significant learning curve involved. This app is for single users,
not a client/server model.

I thought about using the .NET framework but from what I
have read the user will have to install the .NET framework to run.
I would rather have the ability to just send them a CD or have
them download the app to their PC and just install and run on
a typical consumer PC running Windows 2000 or XP.

My second thought was VB6, (I know you can still buy it but Microsoft
doesn't sell it so that doesn't look promising.) Any ideas on language/
enviroment?

Thanks

[MulaChula]

If you already know C, Java could be easier to learn, I guess... and you don't need to buy a license either.

As learning support, I very much recommend Thinking in Java, by Bruce Eckel (search in google and for surr you'll find a download link).

Good luck!

HTH,

mc

[mstraf]

I will not use VB6, because in that case the users will have to install the VB runtime library, plus all components your app is using. And VB6 is a dying language anyhow, not worth it if you are going to learn something new.

You can still develop applications in straight C/C++ (unmanaged) from the .NET environment, so you can distribute you app without the need of the .NET framework. It is a little overkilling, basically you use the .NET like the good old DevStudio6

But I am not sure that is the way to go. Why don't you want to have the users installing the .NET framework? If they have a new XP machine and installed other applications, with all likeliwood they already have it without knowing...

Marco

[pclement]

You could always try REALbasic (http://www.realbasic.com/) or Delphi (http://www.borland.com/delphi/) (if you like Pascal).