What's the ideal language for a front end?

Maheriano · 06-15-2008, 11:28 PM

I'm wondering if I should switch my Java front end from JMF to Javazoom, or wait for this new Java Media package, or even keep doing it at all. So to help me decide, out of any language out there, based on a Windows platform, which language would be best to use to create a front end? Something that interfaces nice with a GUI, interacts with USB devices, embeds applications, all the good stuff. What do you think?

2k1Toaster · 06-15-2008, 11:33 PM

Anything but java. If you want speed, then .NET (C#/VB.NET) are out, not to mention java.

Something with power, and a good gui would be C++ hands down. Most games, and game engines are even made with C++.

colin · 06-16-2008, 12:05 AM

If you aren't looking for cross platform -- C++, regular VB has a few, Delphi/Pascal (like me) are good choices.

Maheriano · 06-16-2008, 01:27 AM

So why hasn't anyone created a front end in C++ yet?

2k1Toaster · 06-16-2008, 01:30 AM

Lots have. I think even SD is C++

Maheriano · 06-16-2008, 02:08 AM

Well, that decides it. I have to learn C++, I want to jump on this in car mobile entertainment before it makes its way to all the manufacturers, maybe I can get a job doing it in a few years.

2k1Toaster · 06-16-2008, 02:15 AM

C++ is really really easy. If you know how to program, its just a matter of some syntax and you're done.

I can't remember how it works in java, but I think everything is an object in java right? So no primitives, a generic object can be cast an int or something with a simple "(int) object" thing. Its been a while, i realized java's idiocities early and abandonned it as everyone but mobile phone developers should. But in C++ there are primitives and objects which should be the only difference to java... Well that and the tediously long calls needed in java compared to a simple 1-liner in C++....

Maheriano · 06-16-2008, 02:25 AM

Stop that...you're getting me excited. I'm going to make a thread soon asking for what an ideal front end should have, then see what I can come up with.

colin · 06-16-2008, 08:47 AM

There's already one, something about the perfect frontend, people are adding opinions.

NeonDev · 06-16-2008, 09:21 AM

you don't have to limit yourself to one language. Most if not all C based languages should play nice together. (tho I don't know if you need a special linker or whatnot)

My front end is about 80% objective-C, 10% C, 5% C++, and 5% scripting.

From what I understand C++ is the fastest object oriented language and very good for writing a backend where all the heavy duty lifting happens. However, something like .NET/C# probably is better for the interface.

kev000 · 06-16-2008, 11:14 AM

I'm going to have to disagree with c++ (dispite the fact that it's exactly what I'm using). It *can* be faster, but that all depends on how you write it. In many instances, because of the efficiency of the language, a c# written application may run faster. Not to mention your development speed may also increase if you where to use c# instead of c++.

I wouldn't choose c++ on speed alone for those reasons. A well designed front end should have a number of things in mind that are sometimes more important than the speed of the language. For example, I have taken into consideration, the memory footprint, development time, flexibility, community support (a popular language will have a larger pool of developers who may want to help), etc. You need to ask yourself, is this going to be yet another clone of RR, CF, SD, Media Car? Or am I going to introduce a new concept with my frontend? If so, which language does this best?

You also need to ask yourself who am I targeting? For example, (and I don't mean to plug my project) nGhost isn't architected just for carpc's, it is designed to run on embedded devices too (UMPCs, Internet Tablets, Cell phones, and even devices without touchscreen LCDs or LCDs at all. This is why also c++ was a good choice for me - the overhead of 4th generation languages would make nghost discouragable on such devices. If you expect your frontend to run only on carpcs only, then why not c# or even java, if it's more productive for what you want to achieve.

I foresee, in the future more distributed frontend systems. Maybe the backend is written in c++/c# with the gui frontend written in flash/actionscript.

...Just my two sense.

kev000 · 06-16-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by colin

If you aren't looking for cross platform -- C++, regular VB has a few, Delphi/Pascal (like me) are good choices.

you can easily create a crossplatform frontend in c++. There are plenty of gui toolkits that are crossplatform and media subsystems that are too. If you want crossplatformability: http://clutter-project.org for the gui, phonon for media, with those it will run on *nix, mac, and windows.

and please, for the love of all that is holy, don't even consider VB.

colin · 06-16-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by kev000

I foresee, in the future more distributed frontend systems. Maybe the backend is written in c++/c# with the gui frontend written in flash/actionscript.

Or the backend is written in Delphi and the frontend is written in flash/actionscript?

BASICALLY though, steer away from bulky IDE high level languages like VB, Java, and the like. Anything with raw power is what you'll want to be using. Even flash is often slow and at first it's beautiful but I've noticed that parsing only 500 songs takes a good 10 seconds, imagine what happens when I finally sort my whole library? The 40,000+ songs are going to take forever! You have to find ways to work around these kind of problems... so speed is a very very nice thing in the long run.

galvitron · 06-16-2008, 02:31 PM

VB and C# are the same speed...they are both just .net assemblies.

If development speed is a major concern, use what is easiest for you. You can always convert portions of the app later into a faster dll that is linked to by the main app. Then as time goes on move more and more functionality into your dll (probably written in C++ for speed).

I'm sure most users would rather have an app that worked better but was slower to an app that was fast as hell but buggy.

Maheriano · 06-16-2008, 04:43 PM

So what about removing the operating system completely? Which language would be ideal to use as the complete structure with no operating system to run on? What would that take?