macOS From C, years ago, to what? Xcode, Python, RealBasic, other?

[Alloye]

I know what REALBasic is. Despite the OO guff and an expanded library, it's still Basic. Which is ultimately just a matter of taste (Basic = the Rodney Dangerfield of languages), but more importantly, unlike Qt Open Source edition, RealBASIC isn't free (by a long shot).

Actually, the problem with REALbasic isn't the language or even the cost. It's REAL's absolute refusal to release critical bug fixes outside their every 90-day release schedule.

In addition, REALbasic's multi-platform strength is also a weakness. The built-in controls and framework are compromised in favor of the lowest common denominator. While this eases development of simple, database-style applications, creating something that feels truly native on any given platform usually requires a great deal of platform-specific work.

 

[Eraserhead]

To paraphrase Stroustrup, Java isn't platform independent, it is a platform, and a proprietary one at that. It's a subtle distinction that's lost on many.

Not entirely Java is now released under the GPL.


As you already know how to code with C, you'll have no problem moving onto Objective C/Cocoa or Carbon or QT which are all C or C++ based.

 

[gary hayenga]

Sounds like a more efficient version of Java to me. :thumbup:

If you mean the "write once/run anywhere" plan, then yes I would have to say much more so. Since REALBasic is natively compiled it doesn't have the Java Virtual Machine overhead.

Theoretically it doesn't have the advantage that if some writes a JVM for a new OS, like say the iPhone, then *theoretically* your Java app would just run. But it doesn't really work that way anyway. And even when you can get your Java app to work it more staggers than runs anyway.

I think REALBasic's RAD interface design is second to none, though I'm wiling to be wrong.

If your priorities are cross-platform, speed of development or shallow learning curve, or some combination thereof, then REALBasic is a very good tool.

If those aren't your priorities then other things could well be better.

gary hayenga

 

[chitin]

A bit of everything (almost...)

I'm really pleased with the amount of debate generated and grateful for all opinions. They have been most helpful.

Since the last mail, things have moved on a bit. The people at Freescale have been really nice and helpful, with an incredible service, and I now have CodeWarrior installed on my G5 which means I can at least open up my project and play with it in an environment that is very familiar to me (many thanks to Sord for the tip). Also, I just got myself a new MacBook with Leopard and Xcode 3.

What this means is that I'm going to try a bit of everything. I'll start with CW and see if I can compile an OS X version of my software, then I'll probably atttempt migration to Carbon and, starting from now, I'll gradually learn ObjC with Cocoa using my program as the learning project. Ultimately, I believe I'll migrate fully to the Objective C - Cocoa combination (using simple C when appropriate), but with time and playing around with CW and Carbon as I go along.

This is not to ignore all the suggestions about RB or other routes, which I understand could be reasonabe options, but having invested so much in C as I did I think it'll be good to build on it.

Thanks to all again
Chitin

 

[iSee]

That's a good plan. Carbon *is* Toolbox for OS X.

Tip: A good search keyword regarding converting Classic apps to OS X Carbon apps is Carbonize (just in case you hadn't realized this already).

 

[chitin]

That's a good plan. Carbon *is* Toolbox for OS X.

Tip: A good search keyword regarding converting Classic apps to OS X Carbon apps is Carbonize (just in case you hadn't realized this already).

Thanks for the tip. I didn't know.

 

[Cromulent]

That's a good plan. Carbon *is* Toolbox for OS X.

Not really. Quite a few of the Core frameworks are technically Carbon APIs and they are still very relevant to current Mac OS X development. Carbon as a set of APIs is not entirely dead, some parts are still relevant they have just been renamed.