Creating software?

buglawton

I agree with Ringo that PHP/MySQL is a good way to go. It's a bit long in the tooth now as a technology goes (there are more fashionable web based systems now) but well known and reliable, plus 1000's of programmers do freelance on it.

It could cost only a few 1000's of pounds to convert the logic to PHP but you do have to have a well written clear description of your rules.

[Deleted User]

If you're collecting buzzwords, 'Ruby on rails' is trendy name to throw in.. I wouldn't discount PHP, it's still pretty popular. Even Facebook uses it...

isofa

ringo_24601 wrote: »

If I was in your position, i'd leave it all in the hands of Excel. Re-design what you have to make it look nicer (hide all the 'working mechanisms') and don't focus on the commercial aspect of it. If it works in Excel, keep it there. MS Access isn't good enough for creating a commercial product, nor is VB. If you feel like expanding your knowledge, go for it, but it'll be quite a learning curve.

While I agree re Excel, it does require a large degree of VBA knowledge to turn it into a proper "app".

But I disagree regarding VB and Access, I've several large commercial products written in these, inclduing very modern and powerful multi-site systems for large organisations (access and SQL as back ends), and a colleague has one particular system which is sold Worldwide written in Access as a front end, access db as the back end for small users, or SQL server for larger corporate users (including finance houses). It's incredibly powerful if you know how to harness it, just like most things. Not one of my systems looks anything like the original package, and we've passed all the interface tests required by Microsoft to become Certified , not a simple task. But just taking Access of the surface like a user would, to use the terrible poor scripting and wizards won't achieve anything, you have to be able to programme it, it's a very deep programme, and very extendible with additional components.

Rich08

Firstly id like to thank you all for your replies and advice and its way more than i hoped for when i originally posted my query.

Ive just re read the whole thread again and having looked at tutorials etc it strikes me that all suggestions would fulfill what im looking for and alot depends on my ability to learn and the time i have free to develop some sort of skill level.

I think i have to be careful not to lose sight of my original objective and losing myself in areas id expect to be very grey in my mind for a fair while without any gaurantees ill develop any real skills in access,vb,etc etc as my expertese is in cost controls and maximising profitability but on the other hand the ms vb application does have me fascinated and wanting to learn more(curiousity had me looking at the c++ application but i came out in a cold sweat and walked humbly away from that idea)

It makes a great amount of sense to continue developing this in excel and as mentioned (ill pop into the library for a book on coding excel)i ve yet to work somewhere that does nt at least have an excel package in use but yet again im keen to learn at least some basics of vb and access and when i pluck up the courage ill look into ...quote"mySQL, php and run it on an apache server using a web front end"end quote.

Im going to continue for now develping this on excel and ill figure out the solution to the database angle in time but m definately going to keep up the vb and ill get into access when i can afford the software.

Thankyou all very much for the advice and patience.....Rich

[Deleted User]

Don't be too put off with C++, it's an excellent language for all levels from beginner, intermediate and expert as it introduces you to a lot of 'behind the scenes' concepts of computing. It's one of the first languages I got taught at University

rmg1

I don't think I'm up to the standard of some of the posters on here, but I know my way around Excel and VBA and have created some fairly large pieces of software. If you're keen to keep the current project within Excel and hit any snags, drop me a PM and I'll give you what remote help I can.
I can also let you have some Excel books in PDF format if they will help.

Rich08

be_alright wrote: »

Don't be too put off with C++, it's an excellent language for all levels from beginner, intermediate and expert as it introduces you to a lot of 'behind the scenes' concepts of computing. It's one of the first languages I got taught at University

From my limited understanding c++ is way more powerful than vb and a sleaker finished product can be expected.For now vb is making some sense in my head (I built a browser in this afternoons tutorial(but i dont think IE , firefox etc have too much to feel threatened by my one line of copied coding)...the tutorial i watched on c++ just flew right over my head but in time after getting my head around vb id like to take another look

Thanks...Rich

Rich08

rmg1 wrote: »

I don't think I'm up to the standard of some of the posters on here, but I know my way around Excel and VBA and have created some fairly large pieces of software. If you're keen to keep the current project within Excel and hit any snags, drop me a PM and I'll give you what remote help I can.
I can also let you have some Excel books in PDF format if they will help.

Hello rmg
I really appreciate your offer of help and ill take you up on that (especially when i have another go at creating the database of invoiced items auto updating the entire application.)
I ve had a couple of authors recommended so im going to look out their books and see how i get on ...just seems this brick wall on the database ive hit thats holding me up just now but thanks to yourself and others i now know if i apply myself i can overcome these obstacles

thanks again...Rich