which programming language for the job?

i would like to learn how to make a simple desktop application, but don't know where to start.

i have made a mock-up in paint to help explain :

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/4223/mockuphi4.jpg

in the file menu, there is quit.
in the help menu, it calls a .chm, and "About" displays a pop-up with likes to web page.
the radio buttons refer to registry keys.
"Import" and "Remove" are self explanatory..
there might be things i have missed, but that's the idea of it.

also, if i could skin the interface, that would be nice, but it's not important.
i'm eager to learn, but don't know where to start!

 

sorry for posting as two different threads, but the first one did not show up right away.

so i've been searching around and i think maybe visual basic or delphi would be a good place to start, but i'm not even sure about that..

maybe can anyone recommend simple "drag and drop" programming for me to start out with? confused confused confused

 

Visual Basic 2005 would be the easiest to learn. You create 'forms' by dragging and dropping your form items (checkboxes, frames, menu bars, buttons, text fields, etc, etc, etc) onto your form. You then write up the code that each is supposed to execute for a given event.

For example, you might write code that runs when a button is pressed.

You can download the IDE for free at this link and there is a Visual Basic language reference at this link

 

awesome, thank you! one more question...will the programs i make in Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition rely on the .NET Framework? i mean, if i send the finished product to a friend who doesn't have the .NET Framework, wold they be able to use it?

 

I think you'll be alright so long as the code doesn't expose the .NET object model. (In essence, you won't need it if you don't use it)

 

our programming tutor said

"it doesnt matter what language a programs in, as long as it does what its ment to do"

guess it depends what lanuages you are really good at confused

'Chris

 

Theoretically, you could build that in javascript albeit you'll need a browser to run it.

@MadaMilty:

This is incorrect. The .NET runtime is absolutely required to run any .NET application.

 

thanks for all the replies.

thanks, this is what i was trying to stay away from!
basically, the mock-up program in my first post must be very small, and simple.

look at these programs:
http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5253
http://www.spadixbd.com/freetools/jdirprint.htm
i wonder how and what language those were made in??
delphi, c, c++??????? and they're only a mere 170-180kb!

where is the best place to start learning to program simple tools like this?

 

The first one says it was done in VB6. The second one also looks like a VB6 app. VB6 does not require the .NET framework.

 

No, but using VB6 is when it's an obsolete language, and unsupported makes me go "ooga?"

Vista has .NET installed by default.
2003 has .NET 1.1 installed by default.
The .net 2.0 runtime is a windows update download..chances are pretty good that it's on the target machine. If it's not, then ...uh.. download it?

 

Ouch. My mistake. Good catch, Kodo. Thanks.

 

heh I didn't want to write it in vb6! but I got so many people moaning about .net 2.0 that I made the 'lite' version in something they couldn't moan about.

Also you mention the program will import/export registry.

.net would be FAR easier to use for this using the Microsoft.Win32.Registry namespace, with vb6 it will all be win32 api

 

I think http://www.instantexe.com/ is a very nice RAD tool - it basically creates a vb6 exe. Give it a try.

As far as VB6 being obsolete, that is what they said in '88 about CoBOL when I was studing it, than along came Y2k..
it is always good to be diverse... VB6 has a large following still... hey it works.

 

that's primarily because they were die hards and didn't want to learn anything new. Just because it "hey works" doesn't mean it's better. a mo-ped "just hey works" but a car will get you there faster.

@Matt.. registry? blech.. appsettings, user settings, custom xml configuration files

 

Someday when you get into the work world & have to deal with a manager's budget you'll understand "hey it works" .. because if you can't acccept a moped.. they'll find someone who will. So it is good to know old stuff VB, NT, DOS, just because someone says it is dead.. some companies don't.
Like I said it is good to be diverse - if it is not your thing - whatever.

 

someday?
My friend, I've been working in the real world for quite some time and "it just works" was only good for first run, non re-factored code (aka Alpha). I never played the "it just works" card for production apps. It must work, work well, have the proper metrics when determining maintainability and code sustainability. Invest upfront with proper design and you can maintain the app much more easy when it's time for new implementations.

I've had to deal with managers budgets and when I roll the numbers for them and show them that the long term investment is in our favor, things change. The PM's and the Accountants are always worried about the "Now" and rarely have foresight of long term anything. You have to show them why. If the managers budget is crap, then it's probably due to piss poor proposals with unrealistic time frames.

Just to set the record straight, I'm 32, married, with 2 kids and I teach .NET development... I say this because your reply made it sound like you thought I was some high school kid.