What is the Best Language or Combination of Languages?
I need to build an application for a simple job: periodically throughout the day, check the contents of a series of ASCII files to insure that the contents have not changed. If they have not, sleep until the next check. If one or more have changed, alert a person with a flashing red dialogue box.
So the question is this: what language or combination of languages would you recommend for this task?
The solution will need to run on a PC operating under Win2k, and the files it needs to check reside on across the LAN on a (you're going to love this part) Dec Alpha.
So the question is this: what language or combination of languages would you recommend for this task?
The solution will need to run on a PC operating under Win2k, and the files it needs to check reside on across the LAN on a (you're going to love this part) Dec Alpha.
SOLUTION
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ASKER
I mis-spoke earlier. The files I want to check are not ASCII but binary. I'm thinking a checksumming command/routine native to VMS would suffice for continuity checking them?
The languages I've programmed in so far (on PCs) are Perl and Visual Basic 6. This does not preclude me from learning another one if another is better suited to this task. That's how I picked up VB6. I'm not familiar with the .NET version of it though. And I understand there are significant differences with VB6.
So, in short, whatever combo of languages that will do the job most efficiently, I'll go off and learn.
The languages I've programmed in so far (on PCs) are Perl and Visual Basic 6. This does not preclude me from learning another one if another is better suited to this task. That's how I picked up VB6. I'm not familiar with the .NET version of it though. And I understand there are significant differences with VB6.
So, in short, whatever combo of languages that will do the job most efficiently, I'll go off and learn.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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combo of languages? I think this is not a good alternative for 99% of cases.
SOLUTION
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ASKER
Two final questions:
What did you have in mind for a file hook? I'm not sure I'm following you there. Also, do any of these languages/packages "talk" to VMS better than the others?
What did you have in mind for a file hook? I'm not sure I'm following you there. Also, do any of these languages/packages "talk" to VMS better than the others?
Just out of dumb curosity what OS is the DEC Alpha machine running?
ASKER
The OS is VMS: Virtual Memory System.
That is easy.
You need to create a list of the Technical Issues.
I never used VMS(But i think what is like unix).
But if i will be creating the programs
Problem:
How read the file from the Dec Alpha
Solution:
By Http,Https or Ftp File (Look for examples to download the file in vb,vc,java,etc).
Isvery important if the file is ascii or binary.
Maybe exists some option or feature in VMS to look the files in network of windows
if this is posibble that will not be a issue.
Problem:Type of validation to do with the file.
Checksum:
Char by Char:etc
Solution :all is easy only if you have a preference by a language will be better.
Problem:
Create every xtime a routine to get the info and compare.
vb,vb.net=timer
vc=class like timer(for and evaluate x time ).
java=timetask class.
Solution is easy.
Problem:Gui.
Is more easy vb or vb.net
vc and java more difficult.
Issue:
If you have some preference in languages is better.
Problem
Deadline of the program?
Things to expect:
vb6.-you know how is.
vb.net exists more things like vc++ than vb6-->I expect in the better of the ways one week
to learn all instructions necessary(if you many experience searching samples in the web will be easy).
Visual c++ or Visual C++.net .- the better option but you need many time if you do not
time using the language.
Java.-is more easy than visual c++ but exists a difference with vb6.
And the more important.
You have some ide?
visual.net
or visual Studio
java doesn't matter is freee
Best Regards,
Enrique Lino
You need to create a list of the Technical Issues.
I never used VMS(But i think what is like unix).
But if i will be creating the programs
Problem:
How read the file from the Dec Alpha
Solution:
By Http,Https or Ftp File (Look for examples to download the file in vb,vc,java,etc).
Isvery important if the file is ascii or binary.
Maybe exists some option or feature in VMS to look the files in network of windows
if this is posibble that will not be a issue.
Problem:Type of validation to do with the file.
Checksum:
Char by Char:etc
Solution :all is easy only if you have a preference by a language will be better.
Problem:
Create every xtime a routine to get the info and compare.
vb,vb.net=timer
vc=class like timer(for and evaluate x time ).
java=timetask class.
Solution is easy.
Problem:Gui.
Is more easy vb or vb.net
vc and java more difficult.
Issue:
If you have some preference in languages is better.
Problem
Deadline of the program?
Things to expect:
vb6.-you know how is.
vb.net exists more things like vc++ than vb6-->I expect in the better of the ways one week
to learn all instructions necessary(if you many experience searching samples in the web will be easy).
Visual c++ or Visual C++.net .- the better option but you need many time if you do not
time using the language.
Java.-is more easy than visual c++ but exists a difference with vb6.
And the more important.
You have some ide?
visual.net
or visual Studio
java doesn't matter is freee
Best Regards,
Enrique Lino
Obviously an OOP language is better suited for the task you are trying to do. So in saying that, that leaves you with C++, Java, C# and VB.NET.
If there are any OOP languages I am missing then I'm sorry ! :P