Aqua-Soft ForumsHi,
I would like to know what tools/programs are used to create Windows applications. Tools that made, for instance, iTunes, or the font viewer for Windows, fontBrowser?
Thanks & take care,
Nando
App Developing
Well a programing language, and a compiler simple as that.
If your intrested (its not like making easy mac) check out Qbasic for a start (you wont be able to make anythign anyone will want to use, but you will learn how to program) and you can move up to higher level languages, like C,C++,C#,peril, visual basic, java and whatnot. Preaty much any of thoes languages will be able to make an app.
I stress its not easy at all, most of the people who program apps, are llinkley to aspire or already are computer programers and whatnot.
Hey,
Well, I have somewhat of an understanding in programming. I know a lot of actionscript & Javascript so I thought it'd be something like that but much more complicated, lol.
Thanks for answering,
Nando
Originally posted by lostspyder@Feb 12 2004, 02:11 AM....and you can move up to higher level languages, like C,C++,....
Actually, BASIC is much higher level than C or C++. 
Programming requires lots of time to learn. If you have the time and interest, go for it. You will understand computing much better.
Originally posted by lostspyder@Feb 12 2004, 01:11 AMQbasic for a start
That's what I'm doing :smartass:
Hmm...can't seem to find Visual Studio .NET 2003... :innocent:
Originally posted by contrasutra@Feb 14 2004, 12:28 AMActually, BASIC is much higher level than C or C++.
That would depend on what 'level' is refrencing
Higher Level means that the programming language has abstracted lots of the memory management and other technicalities and does it for you.
For example, you don't have to worry about things like pointers in BASIC, perl, python, or any other interpreted language. The disadvantage is that the language is slower. But, its easier to read and write.
I would NEVER start with BASIC. Its syntax is messy and nothing like anything else. I like Python, here are some beginners tutorials:
http://python.org/topics/learn/
Some people will argue you should start with C, because it will teach you the fundamentals of how programming actually works, and you can then use an easier language as you learn.
Originally posted by contrasutra@Feb 14 2004, 01:05 AMSome people will argue you should start with C, because it will teach you the fundamentals of how programming actually works, and you can then use an easier language as you learn.
Thats the point of basic, hense the lack of many syntax elements that tend to frustrate new people, and the name. It strips programing down to the very basics of the art, so you dont get a bunch of obscure compile errors and get sick of trying to program. Its syntax is very simple and is very intuitive for new programers. Starting out with c would be a nightmare, look how much stuff you have to type out just to get a simple hello world program to run compiared to "print "hellow world" F5"
i'm learning fortran, its really easy but yet the same 'level' as C.
If you can understand basic maths you can manage fortran.
Originally posted by lostspyder@Feb 13 2004, 09:19 PMThats the point of basic, hense the lack of many syntax elements that tend to frustrate new people, and the name. It strips programing down to the very basics of the art, so you dont get a bunch of obscure compile errors and get sick of trying to program. Its syntax is very simple and is very intuitive for new programers. Starting out with c would be a nightmare, look how much stuff you have to type out just to get a simple hello world program to run compiared to "print "hellow world" F5"
I'm talking fundamentals of how programming is translated into actual computer actions. Sure, BASIC can teach you the idea of loops, declarations, etc, but it can't teach you about any low level system stuff.
I'm not saying you should start out with C (I didnt), Im just saying its a common argument.
Oh, and BASIC also can't teach you any Object Oriented ideas (neither can C though). Like I said, I think Python is great for beginners. Ive seen lots of noobies be successful with it.
The problem with BASIC is that none of the syntax is consistent, and it teaches you bad habits like GOTOs. Its simply obsoleted.
Fortran has good numerical capabilities, but not so much for visual applications.
And QB is a rather simple introduction to programming though, first one I learnt. 
I'm trying C# as my first language, and it's going pretty OK. It's not been too difficult so far.
The thing is that I'm moving to OS X and want to keep learning at least some language, so I'm debating whether or not to go to Java or C/C++ so that I can use Xcode, or to go more into XHTML/CSS and PHP.
Okay, here goes...
BASIC languages are, as Contra says, high-level, in that they are interpreted, and not compiled.
As for what you should learn first, I'm very much torn on this - I, personally, learnt BASIC when I was 7 years old, but for the sole reason that it was nye on impossible for a 7 year old boy to get his hands on anything else (and I knew of little else, back then). If I had to make a recommendation, however, I would tend to recommend that you start with C or, at a push, Pascal. Neither introduces the complexities of Object Orientation, and both demand a level of structure to your programs which is not present in lots of other languages.
However, what is right for one person isn't right for another, so I recommend getting a good book (read reviews) from your local library, and get a good free compiler (check the net - there are bound to be forums and comments in google groups), and try that language for a while. If the language "works" for you, that's as good a place as any to start.
Once you've got the hang of a language, don't think that you can apply the techniques you've learnt in that language to any language, however - the biggest mistake most VB programmers is in thinking that every language works like VB, and they end up coding the worst drivel you could imagine. I know this from personal experience.
Oh, and something else worth noting - there is always more to learn. You can never, ever, master a single programming language (unless you truly devote yourself to it, or write it). There is always some new compiler update, or memory management technique (even in "managed" environments), or security fix, or coding style that you can use to better your code.
The only thing you can ever truly know is that you know nothing at all.