Re: Considering moving from PowerBuilder to Python
Wolfgang Keller wrote: But I also really would like to find something very close to Sybase's patented datawindow technology -- it's a real time-saver. BTW: As most readers (including me) probably don't know Powerbuilder: What is a Datawindow? Some kind of data-aware GUI widget? Sincerely, Wolfgang Keller Exceprted from the PowerBuilder Journal... The DataWindow is nothing more than an array of structures with many powerful and fast functions wrapped around it. True, one of the things it can do is generate SQL statements based on the data in this structure array, but this is by no means its only use. Many PowerBuilder developers think of using DataWindows or DataStores only when database access is involved. As a result they often create extra, unnecessary work. For example, I've often been astonished to see structure arrays declared and manipulated manually in PowerBuilder applications. What's the point of doing this when you can load your data into a DataStore and work with it using fast, precoded DataStore functions? Why loop through a structure array to find a particular value when you can use the Find() function? DataStores are structure arrays on steroids. ... end of excerpt I really wish I could find a crystal ball and determine (once and for all) the best new language to use. C#.NET is proving to be a much more complex system than I think it needs to be. In my mind, the best language would be one that takes care of EVERYTHING that can safely assumed -- I should never have to write another low-level routine. Although the comparison is far from perfect, I remember being able to roll-out a small database application using R:Base in about 60 minutes (including 3 data entry forms and 3 reports). Nowadays, if I use PowerBuilder, it takes me at least 4 hours. In C#.NET, I'm afraid it will take at least 10 hours. thanks, Norm -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: Considering moving from PowerBuilder to Python
Norm Goertzen wrote: I've posted a previous question about IDEs [...] Python is a fine scripting language; it isn't centered on a particular IDE, and doesn't really serve the same market as Powerbuilder. Building an app in Python is a far lower-level process than building one in Powerbuilder, and Powerbuilder's mastery of databases is unmatched by anything available for Python. -- --Bryan -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: Considering moving from PowerBuilder to Python
Also, can I use Sybase's SQL Anywhere with Python? I'm really only interested in programming for Windows XP. But I also really would like to find something very close to Sybase's patented datawindow technology -- it's a real time-saver. Finally, is there any (realistic) way to mix PowerBuilder and Python? For instance write a Python shell that calls PowerBuilder methods (or vice versa). For Sybase-specific questions there's gmane.comp.python.sybase... ;- Sincerely, Wolfgang Keller -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: Considering moving from PowerBuilder to Python
Norm Goertzen wrote: I've posted a previous question about IDEs and got some good feedback, thanks, but it does seem that everyone has their own favourite IDE -- in other words, no IDE was repeatedly recommended. So, is there any data on the popularity of IDEs (most users), or is there a chart comparing the most popular versions. I'M NOT AFRAID TO SPEND SOME MONEY TO GET THE RIGHT IDE (but I don't want to change products once I've chosen). Also, can I use Sybase's SQL Anywhere with Python? I'm really only interested in programming for Windows XP. But I also really would like to find something very close to Sybase's patented datawindow technology -- it's a real time-saver. Finally, is there any (realistic) way to mix PowerBuilder and Python? For instance write a Python shell that calls PowerBuilder methods (or vice versa). Thanks again, Norm Hi Norm, I was kind of in your situation wherby I had to do a lot of python programming under XP. This was in a major porting project to linux. Although you have a choice of IDE's, a good one is very important. I finally settled for eric3. This one is Qt based making use of PyQt bindings (also SIP and Qscintilla). You have to realize that all IDE's practically bind you to one framework or another. I must say that being first rather gnome based, Qt turned out to be a superb environment, both under XP as under linux. In fact going from one to the other was absolutely effortless. You still will have to buy a Qt3 license for windows. A Qt4 free version is now available for windows, but I don't think that PyQt is ready for it. As of late, I installed eric3 on linux Suse 9.3 and was happily surprised to find out that I didn't have to bother with installing Qt, PyQt, etc. It was all there. Qt3 also turned out to be great with C/C++, which I'm not really using much, I admit. They also have an SQL module, includinc Sybase drivers. I have been using MySQL without Qt support using MySQLdb. -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: Considering moving from PowerBuilder to Python
malv wrote: As of late, I installed eric3 on linux Suse 9.3 and was happily surprised to find out that I didn't have to bother with installing Qt, PyQt, etc. FYI, I installed eric3 on Windows XP. It is one of the nice IDE environments for Python. If I must say some bad point of it, I want to reaveal that there are some mistakes in the editing window based on my experience. -James Gold -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Considering moving from PowerBuilder to Python
I've posted a previous question about IDEs and got some good feedback, thanks, but it does seem that everyone has their own favourite IDE -- in other words, no IDE was repeatedly recommended. So, is there any data on the popularity of IDEs (most users), or is there a chart comparing the most popular versions. I'M NOT AFRAID TO SPEND SOME MONEY TO GET THE RIGHT IDE (but I don't want to change products once I've chosen). Also, can I use Sybase's SQL Anywhere with Python? I'm really only interested in programming for Windows XP. But I also really would like to find something very close to Sybase's patented datawindow technology -- it's a real time-saver. Finally, is there any (realistic) way to mix PowerBuilder and Python? For instance write a Python shell that calls PowerBuilder methods (or vice versa). Thanks again, Norm -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: Considering moving from PowerBuilder to Python
Norm Goertzen wrote: I'm really only interested in programming for Windows XP. It is warned that the sequal is not directly related to the your question. However, hope that it helps your decision to move from the old stuff to the new stuff. The thing is that as you decideded to change your main programming language, why you don't turn to change your programming environment too. If you start to use Java, no more need to be dependent on one specific os. If you have any interest in my suggestion, please visit Jython (www.jython.org). Declrare that I have no relationship with the developement of Jython. -James Gold -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: Considering moving from PowerBuilder to Python
For: snip So, is there any data on the popularity of IDEs (most users), or is there a chart comparing the most popular versions. /snip Hi Norm, You can do a Google search for these sorts of things like opinions and comparisons. Believe me, there are more blogs and articles on these things than you can shake a stick at :-). Harlin Seritt Internet Villa: www.seritt.org -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
