Client-Side Technologies

[asriniva]

Hi All,

I am evaluating some client-side technologies for a new project. I am looking into Flash, DreamWeaver, QT, C# and VisualC++.NET. For those of you who have some experience in any of the above, I would like your opinion against the following benchmarks:

Development environment, Learning curve, Run-time performance, Deployment in a Client-Server architecture (being able to request and process data from an App. server), support for vector-graphics, Web support, Object based, Development time, Maintenance, Cost, End-platform.

Whatever feedback you can give based on your knowledge of any of the above benchmarks, or the pros/cons of one technology versus the other, will be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Arun

[MeTh0Dz]

LOL, why are you asking people to compare Flash, Dreamweaver, QT, C#, and C++.NET. They are all completely different things.

Flash - This is a suite of technologies that was made by Adobe. If you want to code something for flash, you code in ActionScript. It's usually just used for animation/game type stuff.

Dreamweaver - This is a ******* WYSIWYG, that is also developed by Adobe. It's just a program that let's people make webpages that don't know any ******* HTML. Point and click type ****...

QT - LOL how QT made it into the group I'll never know. This is a toolkit that can be used on multiple platforms that is used to create GUIs. You can look it up if you want to know more...

C# - This is a language developed by Microsoft that is OO, and is supposed to simlplify some tasks and protect the coder. Another high level bs language.

'VisualC++.Net' - It uses C++ as the base language and then adds the .NET framework (aka the Bubonic Plague), it let's you use managed C++ and some other ****.

[shruti]

Sorry friend i don't have knowledge.

[jage]

LOL, why are you asking people to compare Flash, Dreamweaver, QT, C#, and C++.NET. They are all completely different things.

Flash - This is a suite of technologies that was made by Adobe. If you want to code something for flash, you code in ActionScript. It's usually just used for animation/game type stuff.

Dreamweaver - This is a ******* WYSIWYG, that is also developed by Adobe. It's just a program that let's people make webpages that don't know any ******* HTML. Point and click type ****...

QT - LOL how QT made it into the group I'll never know. This is a toolkit that can be used on multiple platforms that is used to create GUIs. You can look it up if you want to know more...

C# - This is a language developed by Microsoft that is OO, and is supposed to simlplify some tasks and protect the coder. Another high level bs language.

'VisualC++.Net' - It uses C++ as the base language and then adds the .NET framework (aka the Bubonic Plague), it let's you use managed C++ and some other ****.

You apparently show a lack of knowledge in many areas, so allow me to try and answer his questions in a more respectable manner.

I am leaving off maintenance, cost, and development time because all of this depends on how many developers you are hiring and their skill level, as well as the difficulty of the software. I also left off Object because they are all Object Oriented.

Flash
Contrary to what the above poster said, Flash can now be used for much more than just games and animation. Thanks to AIR, you can now create very powerful desktop RIAs that can work powerfully with SQLite, which is built into AIR.

• Development environment - Flex 3.0 is a good one, or you can use Eclipse for free (although Flex 3 is very easy to work with if you have lots of graphics to position).
• Learning curve - Relatively easy to use if you are familiar with programming in any sort of way.
• Run-time performance - From what I've seen, actually pretty good for a graphics heavy environment. The only drawback is a current bug with memory leakage. If running an application on AIR for 24 hours or more, your RAM usage skyrockets. This is said to be fixed with the release of Flash 10.
• Deployment - Normal
• Vector graphics - YES <- A nice advantage to other languages
• Web support - Not as much as other languages, but decent
• End platform - Windows, Mac, and Linux (although Linux could be a llittle buggy)

Dreamweaver
Dreamweaver is a developing environment, not a language. Although it is a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get), many people forget that you CAN go in and code anything for yourself after setting up the layout. It actually reduces time for web developers who want to worry less about positioning everything, and spend more time on the functionality of the website.

QT
QT I know nothing about.

C#, C++.NET, VB.NET
Contrary to what the above poster said, C# is not a b.s. language. It is very powerful when combined with the Visual Studio development environment, and honestly cuts out many wasted hours in a professional environment. The only time I'd recommend C++ or C over a higher level programming language, is when memory usage or OS deployment matters. If you are making a graphics rich program with lots of windows forms, C#, VB.NET, and C++.NET all significantly cut down on development time (which = less money). Pick any of these three to code in, its really just personal preference as to which one, as the differences aren't really too significant.

• Development environment - Visual Studio 2008 is probably one of the best development environments I've ever used. It is very user friendly and has a great interface, backed with intellisense. It makes a programmer's life much easier!
• Learning curve - A little harder to learn, but definitely not as hard as a lower level language like regular C++ or C, and way easier than Assembly.
• Run-time performance - Average. If your looking for something to run extremely fast and efficient, use C++ or C.
• Deployment - Difficult. The user MUST have the .NET framework on their computer. This is the one downside to these languages. You can include the framework in a setup deployment package if you want.
• Vector graphics - No, only regular graphic formats (I think).
• Web support - Best. Any questions can easily be found on MSDN or forums.
• End platform - Windows only