08-16-2012, 11:41 AM
After using Microsoft excel for everything for years I migrated to MATLAB to crunch numbers which excel struggled with (matrix analysis etc). When I reached a point where I wanted to build functional GUI's and have a more flexible program i.e. include different modules for other non math related tasks, I went in search of a "real" programming language.
I looked at c++ but I could not justify the need to learn such an in depth language as programming was just a means to increase productivity in my primary role as a structural engineer.
I found Python + wxPython to be the ideal combination for a powerful programming language with a good GUI frame work. For building engineering applications (small scale) I am yet to find something that I could not implement in Python.
While I understand why you feel c++ is more of a "real" programming language because it is lower level and accounts for a lot of the windows operating system I really cant see the benefits for an engineer writing their own programs. You are obviously a better programmer than I am if you are familiar with the win32api and DirectX so your needs might make c++ more appealing but I think it is a bit misleading to advise engineers the only way to write a real program is with c++.
I recently reassessed if I should step "down" to a lower level language such as c++ but my research showed that with the .Net framework language choice is rather arbitrary (pick what you are most comfortable with) as they all use the same libraries. I would be interested to hear what the main advantages you have found c++ offers when developing engineering applications so I can give it some more thought if there are significant advantages to be had.
Just my $0.02 as a structural engineer. All the best with your program, hope it comes together nicely for you.
Regards Elbarto
I looked at c++ but I could not justify the need to learn such an in depth language as programming was just a means to increase productivity in my primary role as a structural engineer.
I found Python + wxPython to be the ideal combination for a powerful programming language with a good GUI frame work. For building engineering applications (small scale) I am yet to find something that I could not implement in Python.
While I understand why you feel c++ is more of a "real" programming language because it is lower level and accounts for a lot of the windows operating system I really cant see the benefits for an engineer writing their own programs. You are obviously a better programmer than I am if you are familiar with the win32api and DirectX so your needs might make c++ more appealing but I think it is a bit misleading to advise engineers the only way to write a real program is with c++.
I recently reassessed if I should step "down" to a lower level language such as c++ but my research showed that with the .Net framework language choice is rather arbitrary (pick what you are most comfortable with) as they all use the same libraries. I would be interested to hear what the main advantages you have found c++ offers when developing engineering applications so I can give it some more thought if there are significant advantages to be had.
Just my $0.02 as a structural engineer. All the best with your program, hope it comes together nicely for you.
Regards Elbarto
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