Thread: New to programming, would like advice!

I want to write a windows program that interfaces with an access database. Let me give you a quick explanation. I work in a manufacturing facility and each of our products go through several steps. I would like to write an application that can, for example, display how many products are at each step. It could also display which products are at which step. I have worked with computers all of my life but am very new to programming. Would java be the best way to go (maybe visual c++?)? Would netbeans be a good place to start? I would appreciate any advice, thanks!

You said you want a windows program and are curious if java is a good choice. Java does have a proven history of running on windows. (and others)
Organize some data, display that data. Java is pretty good at that. (so are other languages)

You mentioned vc++, what features of vc++ makes you mention it and what makes you mention java as the other possibility?

You mentioned some data management and display, but in such general terms that just about any language you find will work.
If you are at the stage of choosing the language to develop in, there should be a list of requirements somewhere to go by.
How and where the data will be stored. Online, public/restricted access...
Who will need access to what and when and from where.
What types of devices it is to run on. Is this something that would end up having a mobile version
Questions go on.

Off the top of my head, I would use java. Why java? No reason was given against java so why not java. I am a java kind of guy.
If you want to provide details on your project, or at least the requirements, I and/or others could offer more opinions on your options.

Originally Posted by jps

You said you want a windows program and are curious if java is a good choice. Java does have a proven history of running on windows. (and others)
Organize some data, display that data. Java is pretty good at that. (so are other languages)

You mentioned vc++, what features of vc++ makes you mention it and what makes you mention java as the other possibility?

You mentioned some data management and display, but in such general terms that just about any language you find will work.
If you are at the stage of choosing the language to develop in, there should be a list of requirements somewhere to go by.
How and where the data will be stored. Online, public/restricted access...
Who will need access to what and when and from where.
What types of devices it is to run on. Is this something that would end up having a mobile version
Questions go on.

Off the top of my head, I would use java. Why java? No reason was given against java so why not java. I am a java kind of guy.
If you want to provide details on your project, or at least the requirements, I and/or others could offer more opinions on your options.

jps,

Thank you for the reply. As far as vc++, I mentioned it because I know that vc++ and java are both extensively used on the windows platform. I'm extremely novice, but will teach myself.

How and where the data will be stored?
On a local network drive in an MS Access database. Many people will be able to access it, but only a few will run the application that watches the db.

Who will need access to what and when and from where?
Just a few people. Currently I'm only planning on having it available to people inside the company and actually at work (probably not even VPN).

What types of devices it is to run on. Is this something that would end up having a mobile version?
Probably just winxp (company still uses winxp).

The program goal is very simple. It's pretty much a dashboard to watch the db. There would be buttons and such to check products at various stages, but nothing that complex. I'm at a very early stage, but I figured I would ask the experts which language would be best to use. Did I answer all of your questions?

The questions were more food-for-thought than inquiries.
From your update I still see no reason to vote against java.
The main reason I would go with java though is because your project seems to be more of a UI to managed data rather than a full data management setup.
Not that I would change my mind if this were not the case, but java is more friendly to the idea of a portable gui. With the speed the world changes, you never know how long before this turns into an app for personal devices or something where people are looking things over on the go.

jps,

Thank you again for the reply. Yes, it's definitely more of a UI to watch the data! Would you recommend netbeans or another suite? I'm going to try and read a lot about java in the next few days and see what I can get started.

I like eclipse better, but I hate blue suits. What matters most is to find something you are comfortable with.

Make sure you have a clear understanding of the details of the program you are planning to write. Keep what you plan to do in mind while you look over possible languages etc.

Thanks you've been a great help!