| |
| |
|
Software Information |
|
|
|
Start Developing Your Own Software
Learning how to program software seems like a daunting task fit only for the geeks and nerds who lock themselves away in dark rooms staring at their monitors for days on end as they pour over thick manuals written largely in zeros and ones. Fortunately the reality is that it's not as complicated to make basic applications as people may think. If it were, the majority of nerds wouldn't be doing it because the defining factor of our kind is an inherent laziness. Why do you think we like computers? The heaviest thing we have to lift is a monitor and that's done fairly irregularly and for a very short period of time. There are many different opinions on how you should start programming. Some advocate the method of throwing yourself firmly into the deep end and if you don't drown then you're set for life. These people usually recommend getting stuck straight into C or C++. Others recommend a slightly easier starting point such as Java or C#, still quite involved but with a few more safety nets built in. Then there is the 'kiddy pool' school of thought that advocates such languages as Visual Basic. These languages are really easy to get started in. You drag a few elements onto a blank form and then write some code that reads largely like Standard English. All methods have their advantages, but I'm a fan of starting somewhere in the middle with Java. My reasons for this are that Java enforces a certain amount of design and forethought as well as correct programming procedures that are somewhat absent from Visual Basic. I can't go into every single language in one article because it would take too long and the only experience I have with languages outside of the Microsoft stable is some familiarity with Java. Here are a few details about some languages. Java Programming in Java is very similar to C/C++ development. It is object-oriented and well structured. There is wide usage of Java, and therefore there are a lot of libraries around that can be used in your Java program. Pros: · Java is platform independent, it can be run on everything. · It's free, you can just download the SDK and go. · It's easy to learn if you know C or C++. · It provides automatic memory management. · There are a large library of pre-built classes and many more available from around the net. · It's quite safe. It's fairly hard (if not impossible) to damage your computer through programming in Java. Cons: · Speed. Java is quite slow, because it is essentially compiled at run-time by the system's virtual machine. · It is difficult to compile into a stand-alone application. · Memory pointers are not allowed. · Some people dislike being forced into object oriented programming. C C has been around for years and has a large following. Many different people around the globe use it. A few other programming languages have also been written in C. Pros: · Large usage base. Easy to find help, other programmers, libraries etc. · Simple core language, with further functionality being added through the use of libraries. · Very powerful. If your computer can do it, it can do it through C. · Low-level unchecked access to computer memory using of pointers. · One of the fasted running languages. · C code can be used in C++ applications. · Programs are compiled and stand alone, no need for interpreters (sometimes external libraries will need to be installed on the target PC). Cons: · Relatively difficult to learn. · Very little safety net. If you choose (accidentally or otherwise) to make a program that will access memory incorrectly and horribly break your system, it won't stop you. It only pulls you up on compile errors. · Non trivial programs could be hard to port. Programs have to be compiled for each specific platform. · Not strictly object oriented. · Code can get messy easily. C++ C++ is a derivation of the C programming language. C code still works in C++ programs. It is an object-oriented language and very powerful. Pros: · As close to a universal programming language, as you're likely to get at the moment. It's used everywhere. · Object oriented technology included, highly supported and recommended, but not forced upon you. · Programs are stand alone, no need for interpreters (sometimes external libraries will need to be installed on the target PC). · Easy to port to other platforms if standard C++ guidelines are adhered to. · Many libraries available for added functionality. Cons: · Quite difficult to learn. You'll never really stop learning new things about it (which is also a pro, I guess). · Non-trivial programs aren't easily ported if they use platform-specific libraries (e.g. DirectX etc.). · Programs can be slightly larger and slower than those programmed in C. Visual Basic Visual Basic is a very easy language to use. Its code is similar to Pseudo-code and many times the developer can simply type what they think should work and it does, which is cool. Pros: · Very easy to learn · Quick to implement an application or algorithm · Lots of in-built functionality · Recently added complete OOP support with the .Net upgrade. Cons: · Not as flexible as other languages, you can't do as much. · Runs slower than C/C++ · Purely a Microsoft product and Windows based. Where you start is largely up to you and what you want to get out of your programming. If you want to make it a career you're going to want to be familiar with the more 'industrial' programming languages such as C and C++. There are still a lot of people out there experienced with these languages but you'll be in a more specialized field. You'd have trouble throwing a punch in a crowded room without starting a scuffle with someone who could get a program going in Visual Basic. Start with a language that is suited to your skill level and when you've learnt a bit of that you'll find it easier to move on to other languages. I've found personally and within my group of peers at university that now that we all have a certain amount of programming knowledge, it really doesn't take much effort to get stuck into another language and code a program there. Most of our assignments are done through improvisation as we learn the specifics of a language necessary to implement the assignment. You may not get a program as cohesive and well written as you would like compared with if you had a better idea of what you are actually doing, but it usually works. Don't let me kid you into believing that you can develop software with the utmost ease. You'll be sitting there staring at just three lines of code for two hours wondering why it doesn't work before you realize that your capitalization is wrong. However, it is a very rewarding feeling when you do get to the end of a program and it all works beautifully (at least until the user base get their hands on it and break it). So if you're even somewhat interested get in there and have a go. The worst that can happen is that you'll rewrite your boot sector. M6.Net Web Helpers http://www.m6.net Daniel Punch is a writer working at M6.Net: 'The web-hosting company for humans.' M6.Net is working hard to help humanity experience the power and freedom to develop their own part of the Internet, to share their information and connect with anyone, anywhere, anytime.
MORE RESOURCES:
Software - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Software Tools To Help Your Business Sell More Sales are all about leverage, because there is only so much you can do on your own. But, with the help of these simple tools, you can easily double, triple and quadruple your productiviting and make more sales. Fast Car Knoppix Small can be beautiful! Working with Knoppix for the past two years has been a joy. Two terms to describe this distribution, simple, elegance. Microsoft Great Plains e-Commerce - additional considerations for programmer Microsoft Great Plains, designed back in 1990th as database transferable and graphical platform independent ERP application - Great Plains Dynamics/Dynamics C/S+/eEnterprise. For eCommerce developer the most important is to understand Great Plains tables structure and business processes in Sales Order Processing, Accounts Receivables, Inventory Control (inventory items allocation, backordering, etc), posting to Bank Reconciliation and General Ledger. Great Plains Dynamics/eEnterprise Upgrade - Things to Consider and FAQ If you have Great Plains Dynamics/eEnterprise (version 6.0 or earlier) and support it for your company then you need to know some technical details about Great Plains version upgrade and what is going on behind the scenes, which options do you have in case of Dexterity, VBA, SQL customization, additional complexity comes with migration from ctree/Pervasive to MS SQL/MSDE. QuarkXpress Tips: How to Move Content Between Print and Web Layouts Since its release in 1987, QuarkXpress had made an immediate impact to computer enthusiasts. QuarkXPress introduced precision typography, layout and color control to the desktop computer, and delivered those features to designers at a fraction of the cost of proprietary typesetting systems. Microsoft CRM Custom Design & Development: SDK, C#, SQL, Exchange, Integration, Crystal Reports Microsoft CRM is new player on the CRM software market. The whole conception behind CRM seems to be different. Razzle Dazzle Them Once upon a time not so long ago, there was a little boy who went to the market to try to sell his wares. He wasn't having any luck. Crystal Reports For Microsoft Navision - Overview For Programmer/IT Specialist Let us give you - developer some hints in the report creation. C/SIDE database - use C/ODBC to create the connection for your Crystal Report. Corporate ERP: Microsoft Great Plains For The Plant In Brazil - Overview For CIO Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains as new ERP for multinational corporation manufacturing facility in Brazil.If your company plans to outsource manufacturing in Brazil by purchasing existing facility there, the first step would be to implant new management team and revise business processes and procedures. A Case Study on Selecting Contract Management Software Professional services firm cuts costs and improves productivity with integrated software system."I could satisfy the government, but I couldn't give managers the information they needed to do their jobs," says Shannon Winston, Controller for Apex Environmental. What is Groupware? Vince Lombardi once said that, "The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual." If this is the case, then what do we need to do in order to insure success in our companies? How can we combine the efforts of each individual as Mr. Will Adobe Manage to Replace Industry Work Horse Quark Express by Giving Adobe InDesign for Free? And kill the best layout software in the process of gaining market share?*** Heard about the Quark "killer"?Adobe InDesign CS2. Will it really "kill" Quark? Adobe has been saying "it will" for the last six years or so, but it hasn't happened. Review on QuarkXpress 6.0 After almost two decades of existence, Quark has become the basic building block of any print designer's toolkit. It has deservedly gained a reputation for reliable printing, offering consistent and dependable output that prevents costly mistakes. Cross-Platform Custom Software Development & Integration - IT Strategy for Large Corporation Microsoft Business Solutions products: Great Plains, MS CRM, Navision, Axapta, MS RMS integration with UNIX/Java based platforms & non-Microsoft applications: Oracle, Lotus Notes/Domino, DBII, PeopleSoft, SAPThe history of software application development indicates that global trends to unification might be reversed in the future. If you take a look at C programming language, intended as cross platform solution (which resolves graphical interface cross platform migration). Three Steps To Windows Safety Heaven Now there are Three Steps To Heaven Just listen and you will plainly see How virus and hackers attack and destroy Your precious internet-connected computer toy Just follow steps one, two and threeStep one - Run windows update automatically each day Step Two - Always keep your antivirus running and updated Step Three - Install and configure a firewallFaster VirusToday can many viruses find and infect a computer connecting to internet in less then 5 minutes, even if the computer connects to internet using a modem. And how much time will the 24/7 connected computer not give the bad guys?So leaving a computer without proper protection is not advisable. Putting Screensavers Under Control No matter how much you enjoy your favorite screensavers, sometimes they can be rather annoying. Don't like them interrupting your presentations? Hate them disturbing you watching movies? Look no further. Design a Web Album Using Adobe Photoshop- Part 2 So let's begin crunching down these 300 images using Adobe Photoshop from start to finish. When I say 'crunching', to some 300 images may seem like allot, but it's not. Microsoft Great Plains Implementation - Overview for IT Director/Controller What is installation in the language of technology? Installation has server and client sides. Server side - Installation creates security environment (logins) on MS SQL Server or MSDE, creates system database - DYNAMICS and then company databases. Save Your Resources - Combine Your IM Clients There are so many different programs that clutter up your desktop and icon bar, every program using up your precious resources! How much faster would your PC if you could run one single program as opposed to three or more instant messenger clients?Let me give you an example of how much resources are eaten up by using a couple of instant messenger (IM) clients.On a normal day I have two instant messenger clients running at any given time, both of these programs use up hard drive storage space, memory resources and cpu processes. Microsoft Great Plains SOP: Sales Order Processing Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is marketed for mid-size companies as well as Navision (which has very good positions in Europe and emerging markets where it can be easily localized).Great Plains Sales Order Processing (SOP) module forms a third of the core Inventory and Order Processing part of Great Plains.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
