Looking for RAD to replace VB 6.0

[arunb]

Hello All,

I am considering a replacement for VB 6.0, any information would be very helpful.

I considered the following candidates

1. Visual Studio.net: Expensive

Does .net support other OS apart from Windows ??

2. Delphi: Looks like VB but is expensive

3. RealBasic 2007

They claim VB applications can be easily integrated, support for all platforms included.

The trial version slowed the computer to a snail's pace....

3. Lazarus:

Open Source, Support for all platforms, has an IDE like Visual Basic...I am downloading the software...

Are there any other RADs that are worth considering.......

thanks

aa

[Hack]

The .NET express edition as not expensive.

In fact, they can be downloaded from Microsoft's web site for free.

[Hack]

You can also get the Express version of SQL Server 2005 if you want.

[CodedFire]

Although its windows only for .net at the moment. There is the mono project for linux and ive heard that there trying to implement a framework that will fit on a microchip.

[Hack]

Would that still be a RAD environment?

[Kasracer]

Although its windows only for .net at the moment. There is the mono project for linux and ive heard that there trying to implement a framework that will fit on a microchip.

What do you mean? .Net fits on a microchip right now... in your desktop.

Microsoft has said before they're only interested in developing the .Net framework for their OSes so the only support you're going to get .Net wise on other platforms is Mono.

[Kasracer]

I am considering a replacement for VB 6.0, any information would be very helpful.

If you're using just Windows (maybe some minor Linux), then I would go with .Net. Many items in .Net 2.0 will work with Mono so you may be able to do some minor Linux / OS X applications but remember, at least on OS X they won't execute like native applications. I think you may need to do some additional work to make it look like a native app.

If you want cross-platform then you should look at either Java or wxWidgets. Java will be more RAD like and will work on all platforms. wxWidgets can be used with C, C++, Python and possibly more languages (I'm only familiar with the C++ side of things) and allows you to build your application fairly easy and quickly but you'll need to use a lower level language. Using wxWidgets is almost RAD as you can get a GUI up really quick but there are somethings, since it's using a lower level language, that may be more time consuming.

So go with .Net for Windows (and maybe very minor Linux) RAD.
Go with Java for cross-platform RAD.
Go with wxWidgets for cross-platform almost RAD.

[CodedFire]

What do you mean? .Net fits on a microchip right now... in your desktop.

Microsoft has said before they're only interested in developing the .Net framework for their OSes so the only support you're going to get .Net wise on other platforms is Mono.

I heard its an extesnion of the micro framework, although maybe im picking it up wrong and it is a project involving the micro framework. anyhow micro framework: http://www.ecnmag.com/embedded-dot-net.aspx

@Hack: never tried mono so i wouldn't be able to say if thats a RAD, although the micro framework plugs into Visual Studio so it would be a RAD.

[Kasracer]

I heard its an extesnion of the micro framework, although maybe im picking it up wrong and it is a project involving the micro framework. anyhow micro framework: http://www.ecnmag.com/embedded-dot-net.aspx

Ah I haven't seen that before. Cool and good read

[CodedFire]

Yeah looks good alright, came across the idea in MAKE mag. Anyhow back to the topic, i suppose it VS would be a good rad for the OP. Anyhow its free so there is no point NOT having it.

[mendhak]

ICSharpCode is another free one, isn't it?

[DirtyHowi]

ICSharpCode is another free one, isn't it?

the product name is actually sharpdevelop iC#code is the group that put it together, quite nice for a freebie actually.

[mendhak]

Ah right, SharpDevelop. I wouldn't know of course, what could possibly beat Visual Studio?

(Aside from two Visual Studios)

[Kasracer]

XCode is actually pretty nice. Still doesn't beat Visual Studio but it's better than SharpDevelop. Unfortunately you better know Objective-C or C++ to use it.

[arunb]

just checked out lazarus ide, it uses freepascal and is free, it also supports windows,linux and mac.

the ide is similar to vb and I could very easily make an application in just a few minutes..

bye
a