programming language recommendation
 

Hi all,

I've just joined this forum and was wondering if you give me a recommendation for a programming language?

I've created an application using a scripting language within a filemaker database. I'm keen to explore it's migration to a more versitile / powerful language. My app is based around a small database displaying a series of questions and recording the users answer. The choice of the next question is governed by a ongoing score based on these responses.

The graphical appearance is important (as its being developed for children with attention difficulties) so I'd like to incorporate web type animations, roll-overs, mp3's, progress bars if at all possible (or something similar). I'd be really grateful for any recommendations for an appropriate language.

I'm skimming C++ but am aware that it may well take some time to become proficient enough even for my little program ... oh yes, did I mention that the pressure's on to migrate as soon as reasonably possible? (so I'm wondering if there may be some half-way house that gives a more sophisticated scripting language, but allows me to roll something out before too long)

You've probably guessed that I'm a newbie to this, with little idea of the options & advantages between the various languages so I would appreciate any help you can give me

Thank You
Giles

Re: programming language recommendation
 

Do you have any goals or future projects in mind?

Re: programming language recommendation
 

I recommend Visual C# .Net. You can pick up the whole package for less than $100 (amazon.com). You need Windows on your computer, preferably XP and a good amount of free disk space.

It is easy to bring in graphics, color and sound through the various components in the builder. There are some C# code snippets here on DaniWeb. Of course, you will have a learning curve to overcome, but the effort is much less than with C++

Re: programming language recommendation
 

i think, for multimedia stuff, i suggest macromedia products, like flash. I did some small things with flash, it has a good scripting language called actionscript, and has very good visual. you can play sounds, do animations with ease,
also you can do these with other products of macromedia but i have no idea about them. also i don't know the price.

Re: programming language recommendation
 

Meh, flash isn't good for long term stuff. That's just my opion. I like flash for little cartoons and games and stuff, not applications.

http://www.daniweb.com/tutorials/tutorial16923.html
Read that.

Re: programming language recommendation
 

I think you should try Java. It may appear difficult at first, but try reading this book: Java in Easy Steps. It's published by Barnes and Nobles. It breaks down Java really well.

Re: programming language recommendation
 

I would say Java; if you look around you'll notice a lot of classes are being taught in Java. I guess this is because it helps in mastering OO design, and best of all, it's user friendly!

Re: programming language recommendation
 

I too, would say java. I've learned c++ off and on for years before doing java. With the documentation given with java, learning on your own once you've gotten started is so much easier than c++. And getting started is free! Not to mention Java's automatic garbage collector.

Re: programming language recommendation
 

Hi,

I am curious why you want to leave Filemaker behind... it is a great database application, and does a lot of neat things.

Christiana

Re: programming language recommendation
 

So does java?