2 replies to this topic

[NormDePlume]

Hi all. I'm hoping you can recommend a good tool for a new programmer (me) to use to achieve a specific task.

Though I have little direct programming experience, I've spent considerable time as a Windows, and to a lesser extent, *nix sysadmin so I understand basic scripting, SQL, etc., and don't mind getting my hands dirty.

I work for a large IT firm, in a small division responsible for implementing a complex, industry-specific software/hardware solution. Currently the parent firm uses Sharepoint to record individual client details; this is not sufficient for my divison's purposes (I'd argue not for theirs, either!) but this is outside my control.

I want an application that will record specific information about my division's clients. I want to be able to select an individual customer and record/view many fields, as designed by me, for that customer.

My requirements are:

- A front-end that's either a Windows executable (preferred) or web-based
- Ability to attach documents to customer records
- Information written to a database, pref. MSSQL (MySQL would do if necessary)

Can someone suggest appropriate platforms to investigate, given my situation and requirements?

Thanks in advance.

[WingedPanther]

Unfortunately, your description gives almost no method for making a suggestion. Almost any language can do this. The real trick will be correctly designing the database schema to meet your needs. If you want a desktop app, you'll probably want to go with either a .NET langauge, or Lazarus/Delphi just based on speed of development, but again, most any language can do the job.

[NormDePlume]

WingedPanther said:

Unfortunately, your description gives almost no method for making a suggestion. Almost any language can do this. The real trick will be correctly designing the database schema to meet your needs. If you want a desktop app, you'll probably want to go with either a .NET langauge, or Lazarus/Delphi just based on speed of development, but again, most any language can do the job.

No, that's helpful, thanks. If I can tell you anything more, ask... otherwise I'm just hoping people will throw out answers that'll work and are relatively beginner-friendly.