programming language

[preet]

Which program can be used to create stock control system, effectively and easily?

[pop pop]

You'll have to be more specific. It sounds like you are talking about a database. Is that correct?

[yawningdog]

Effective and easy are probably the last two words I would use to describe programming. I agree with pop pop, sounds like a job for MS Access.

[preet]

Yap, a database.
But MS Access in not my first choice.
Would like to have a nice user interface and where don't enough of programming to do.
Was think of VB 2008. Had anyone tried it?

[pop pop]

If you are not a programmer, creating a database application--one sophisticated enough for a moderate to large stock control system (pharmacy?)--would be very difficult from scratch...and very frustrating and discouraging. VB...in it's early incarnations (last I tried was VB6) was not as simple as you might be led to believe. Also M$'s support for VB and the Visual Studio Suite has become spotty to poor from what I've read.

For windoze based systems, there may be programmers or small programming houses that can create a custom database application for your needs. You would not do any programming, just supply the programmer with your specs. After that, it's simply data entry on your part and maybe updates by the programmer as your needs change. I've seen small businesses like restaurants and pubs do this with nice results. Even incorporating touch screen capability for speed in data input.

It's been a long time, so I don't even know anymore what database apps are out there for windoze...used to be Access, FoxPro, Quattro, and maybe Oracle. Delphi was a rapid development application "language" that might have done it. Now...???

Essentially, you want (I think) a database engine core with a GUI over the top for data entry, manipulation, and control. MS VB/Visual Studio might do it, but it would be a major effort requiring a reasonable amount of skill and experience in VB and database application programming.

If you're determined and want to sample the waters for free, try an open source database application first--yes...windows based open source! (or in some cases trialware). I can't vouch for any of them but there are some good titles like SQL (big in business), Ingress, and others...try here: http://osswin.sourceforge.net/#databases

[yawningdog]

I hate to sound like I'm hyping Access, but you can create gui interfaces for forms and reporting without doing a lick of programming. All of the tools for doing this are gui-based and you needn't learn VB to do it.

...Unless learning a new language is the point. In that case I would recommend C# (for a windows based app). The syntax is easier and it does well with databases and the CLR.

[pop pop]

Hype away :) I haven't touched Access in years. Back then it was...not intuitive...forms creation was cumbersome...etc. Things may have well changed for the better. That would be great. :cool:

[preet]

Uhmmm...anyone who knows VB here?

[Paul Komski]

I have used Access extensively over the years and as with any programming there is a learning curve and no quick fixes. For a database n00b I would suggest that it is much the easiest way to go since you have a combined front and back end. You can create complex applications using the VBA within Access and if you are prepared to pay you can convert these to executables for distribution. As long as you are not creating enormous databases Access, though not the top of the pile, is pretty reliable.

I also program using VB6 but have always found communicating with a database backend (both Access and MySQL and even CSV files via ODBC) not so simple. Probably I should perservere but I have too much on my plate as it is.

It is a while since I looked at the DB in OpenOffice but at the last count it was basically a backend with not much of a GUI for accessing it. MS Visual FoxPro I always found nightmarish. For completeness, one other possibility is to have a Web-based PHP front-end accessing MySQL database or other similar "technologies".

[saphalline]

Uhmmm...anyone who knows VB here?What is the scale of your project?

VB works well enough for small scale apps, although the usability is limited to those with good computer skills. You can't let any old warehouse grunt work the system or two-thirds of your code will be error control and input validation! :eek: Not so good to have a system that is essentially "open" with the burden of closing it left to you.

Larger scale projects are a different matter...

[Paul Komski]

two-thirds of your code will be error control and input validationThis is certainly true for apps that you intend to distribute but for DIY apps that only the developer wants to use it's not really a problem since you will get debug prompts when errors are encountered and you can address them on a one by one basis.

With MSAccess, if one uses Macros in place of Modules then there is no editable code created to begin with. Not as flexible as VBA code but useful for n00bs. A lot of people get put off using MSAccess by not really understanding how to link together Tables and Queries and Forms (or even how to customise Forms) - yet with some perseverance (and even a short course to put one on the right track) one can design useful databases as quickly or quicker than just about any other utility. One can also desing Forms and suchlike using Wizards, which are generally funtional if not that versatile or nice-looking.

Another thing that extends the use of VB apps is the integration of Win32 APIs.