What language should we choose for software to be run on Windows?
807580Jul 28 2010 — edited Jul 30 2010GUYS, May I have a question for you?
QUESTION: What language should we choose for brand new software that is designed to be run on Windows platforms... on desktop computers?
The most important requirements are:
1) Language: The application shall be written in ________ (Java, Python, C, C++, Lisp, or?)
2) Portability: The application shall be a portable desktop application. The goal is an application to be run on desktop (and laptop) computers.
3) Platform: The target platform shall be Windows. The application -- written in ________ (Java, Python, C, C++, Lisp, or?) -- shall work on all Windows platforms, including Vista, XP, NT, 2000, 98, and even on an old Windows 95 computer without any problems.
4) Simplicity and compactness: There shall be no need to install extra memory or any particular version of Internet Explorer. The application shall work with what is available. And when you install the application on a modern operating system, such as Windows Vista, it shall take full advantage of the new capabilities of the operating system.
5) Other platforms: The secondary platform shall be Apple / Mac OS. The application shall work on all Apple / Mac OS.
6) Compatibility: The ____________ language (e.g. Java, Python, C, C++, Lisp, or?) shall be compatible with Java Script which is needed for occasional data downloads from yahoo.com.
7) Development: The application is to be developed by one person, not by a team of developers.
Based on these (pretty simple) requirements, what language should we choose? And how important is the language we choose? Programming languages are just tools, after all. If we pick _______ (Java, Python, C, C++, Lisp, etc.), does it really yield better programs? And if it doesn't, then do we really need to make a special effort to choose the language carefully?