macOS Where to get started

[optikalefx]

Ok, I just need some really basic info, and i keep getting thrown around by websites on all this.

I want to develop some software that can be used on macs and pcs. I use a mac daily so programming on it would be ideal, but the option to program on windows is still there.

What do I need, what languages do i need to know. I keep thinking c++ but im not sure. Right now were using just windows vb.net and its so basic that were running into walls. Were looking at XUL with firefox so we arent stuck with IE when we want to use web stuff in the software but jesus i have no idea where that will end up.

I have used xcode on tiger, not very familiar with it, but is that the way to go? i want the most freedom possible to be able to create programs like say firefox, or outlook express, or whatever Software i can think of. I use a lot of graphics, and mabye some 3d effects in there.

so to sum up
I want to be able to program on mac and pc
I want the program to run as a dmg on mac and an exe on windows
I want to be able to incorporate graphics and animations into the software. (movement)

any ideas are welcome. Thanks for your time reading this.

 

[Alloye]

REALbasic might fit the bill. I'm not a huge fan of it myself, but at least one of my colleges swears by it for cross-platform stuff.

 

[optikalefx]

Does it have to be $350

Is there anything like this thats not $350?

I dont know if i can spend that on this because my team has to learn the language and all before we even start, before we even know if this is the way to go?

but great idea!

 

[dadudeness]

what do you want the software to beable to do? do you need some sort of hardware-access or does it just have to look well and calculate, load, save and display stuff?

if the 2nd answer is true, i'd go with java. there you should have less probs because your software is working in a VM. c++ is too close to the hardware to be adapted from one platform to another easily.

 

[Ti_Poussin]

Java seem to be a good choice for cross-platform. But it all depend on what you want to achieve?

Take a look at Python too, it's cross platform but performance are a little slower (semi-compiled stuff, mostly interpret).

You seem to want to make some web stuff, take a look at Ruby on Rails if this a WebApplication or Turbogears (python framework).

 

[optikalefx]

Well for this software project we want to work closely with HTML and FTP

However, I dont want to held to just those types. See we have a very specific style of programs we want to incorporate. I cant say i know what we will want to design later in the future. I want to have the most freedom i can right now, and i dont want to waste time having a team learn one language and one eviroment when they will just have to learn a brand new one if we need to do something a little more complex. And thats because time is money.

Can i get your opinion on a few things though?
1) VB.net will limit your ability to create anything and is windows only.
2) xcode is a great program, but cocoa will only work with mac apps
3) c++ is very difficult to incorporate lots and lots of gradients, images and motion objects
4) IE is the worst web browser on this planet.

Thanks a lot for your help so far, its such a relief to finally talk so someone about this, ive been bouncing ideas off a wall for a while now not getting anywhere.

 

[kainjow]

I want to have the most freedom i can right now, and i dont want to waste time having a team learn one language and one eviroment when they will just have to learn a brand new one if we need to do something a little more complex.

I'd think C/C++ is the way to go. There are so many libraries accessible via these languages. Java is good, but for lots of graphics and animations, I don't think it's the best route.

1) VB.net will limit your ability to create anything and is windows only.

I don't know of anyone who takes the BASIC language seriously anymore, unless you're a .NET shop.

2) xcode is a great program, but cocoa will only work with mac apps

Xcode != Cocoa. Xcode is just the IDE. It can work with any language/API supported on the Mac.

3) c++ is very difficult to incorporate lots and lots of gradients, images and motion objects

You may be interested in SDL.

 

[dadudeness]

Can i get your opinion on a few things though?
1) VB.net will limit your ability to create anything and is windows only.
2) xcode is a great program, but cocoa will only work with mac apps
3) c++ is very difficult to incorporate lots and lots of gradients, images and motion objects
4) IE is the worst web browser on this planet.

1) true
2) you can either use xcode or eclipse or a random other editor to create your project - cocoa is mac only
3) if you have to ask which language will fit your project i think you're not aware of the fact that developng an application for two different platforms at the same time using c++ really is for pros only. that language is a grandson of the good old ansi-c. literally you can do whatever you want at high performance but you aint got such precious little helpers like a garbage collector, a virtual machine that gives you the same enviroment (AND the same libraries) on different platforms and a powerful window-toolkits like AWT and SWING like you have in java.
if c++ really will become your choice than you have to do all this stuff on your own... have fun

4) absoltely true!