Help novice choosing language for app with sql db

[cople]

I want to adapt an Access db I wrote into an application. It is a checkbook/budget program that will need a sql db.

I'll be installing it on a handful of friends and familiy's computers, none of whom know much about computers. All of their computers are Windows.

I've taken a C++ class (console apps only) so I am slightly familiar with objects, but whatever language I choose, I will be learning as I go.

One thing I've been thinking is that I want to to avoid (as much as humanly and foreseeably possible) having to troubleshoot conflicts, etc, between my program and their computers. Because of that, my top, highest, number one, absolutely most important priority is to narrow down the options to the ones with the best chance of having the least amount of conflicts with OS's and other programs on their computers as possible.

I'm sure that many platforms would handle my app easily, and I know that each has pros and cons. I'm looking for the few ones that are the most stable and give the least amount of problems from computer to computer. Both from the ease of the install process and when/if a newer version of the platform gets installed on the computer. I have to learn whatever I choose anyway. I'm ready to dive in. But I want to choose as carefully as possible.

Thanks all.

Update: I wanted to also mention that I don't want to do anything browser based. I used to work in IT support and saw too many times how browsers' settings can break apps.

[cdg10620]

I want to adapt an Access db I wrote into an application. It is a checkbook/budget program that will need a sql db.

I'll be installing it on a handful of friends and familiy's computers, none of whom know much about computers. All of their computers are Windows.

I've taken a C++ class (console apps only) so I am slightly familiar with objects, but whatever language I choose, I will be learning as I go.

One thing I've been thinking is that I want to to avoid (as much as humanly and foreseeably possible) having to troubleshoot conflicts, etc, between my program and their computers. Because of that, my top, highest, number one, absolutely most important priority is to narrow down the options to the ones with the best chance of having the least amount of conflicts with OS's and other programs on their computers as possible.

I'm sure that many platforms would handle my app easily, and I know that each has pros and cons. I'm looking for the few ones that are the most stable and give the least amount of problems from computer to computer. Both from the ease of the install process and when/if a newer version of the platform gets installed on the computer. I have to learn whatever I choose anyway. I'm ready to dive in. But I want to choose as carefully as possible.

Thanks all.

I would personally use C# or VB to program something like that. You can write a Windows Forms application. I think that would be your best bet.

[cople]

I would personally use C# or VB to program something like that. You can write a Windows Forms application. I think that would be your best bet.

Thanks, cdg. Does "write a Windows Forms application" mean use C# (or VB) for the language and Windows Forms for the gui?

[cdg10620]

Thanks, cdg. Does "write a Windows Forms application" mean use C# (or VB) for the language and Windows Forms for the gui?

That means that you will use either C# OR VB one or the other. You will use one of those for the code behind and then design the GUI. You will probably need to get a copy of Visual Studio. Most of the express versions are fully functional. For your SQL DB you can also download SQL Management Studio Express.

Let me know if you need any other information.