I am hoping for some help on choosing the right programming language.
First, some background. I have not done any programming since high
school (I was the class of '00). I learned to program in C++, with
some dabling in Delphi. I was an average coder at the time (I got a 4
in AP computers). All this to say, I understand basic programming
concepts, but haven't done any coding since the Clinton was president
(and I was never very good).
With all that in mind, I have an idea for a web-based program for a
personalized finance tool, kind of like a specialized mortgage
calculator. It currently exists as an excel spreadsheet. The program
is mostly basic BEDMAS math, but there are some array calculations
built into it (which, I am certain, would be very easy to program).
I would also like the program to be able to do the following:
* create unique logins for users, with users' data being saved with
their accounts
* query users on a series of preferences (and use this data to create
a financial profile)
* import.csv (or similar) files
* a user option of a simple GUI or an advanced GUI, that interacts
like a spreadsheet
My questions are these: Would ROR be a good choice? Any stumbling
blocks if I use it? Any advice on what I could read to get up to speed
to program in ROR or in another language. (I've started the zombies
program, but anything else?)
Many thanks.
I am hoping for some help on choosing the right programming language.
First, some background. I have not done any programming since high
school (I was the class of '00). I learned to program in C++, with
some dabling in Delphi. I was an average coder at the time (I got a 4
in AP computers). All this to say, I understand basic programming
concepts, but haven't done any coding since the Clinton was president
(and I was never very good).
With all that in mind, I have an idea for a web-based program for a
personalized finance tool, kind of like a specialized mortgage
calculator. It currently exists as an excel spreadsheet. The program
is mostly basic BEDMAS math, but there are some array calculations
built into it (which, I am certain, would be very easy to program).
I would also like the program to be able to do the following:
* create unique logins for users, with users' data being saved with
their accounts
* query users on a series of preferences (and use this data to create
a financial profile)
* import.csv (or similar) files
* a user option of a simple GUI or an advanced GUI, that interacts
like a spreadsheet
My questions are these: Would ROR be a good choice? Any stumbling
blocks if I use it? Any advice on what I could read to get up to speed
to program in ROR or in another language. (I've started the zombies
program, but anything else?)
I don't see any major issues doing that with RoR, if I were doing it
that would be my choice. You might like to try the tutorial at
railstutorial.org which is free to use online. Most Rails developers
use Linux (I use ubuntu) or MAC, it is possible on Windows I believe
but most would advise against it.
When installing use rvm to manage ruby and gemsets.
Colin
I would agree with Colin to say RoR would be a good choice for the
idea that you have.
Rails allows you to easily create authentication modules, profiles for
users, has got wonderful backend functionality with popular DBs.
That being said there would certainly be Stumbling Blocks on your RoR
path, but that would be the case on most any other platforms. That
shouldn't derail you though.
And you can learn and refine you RoR skills through these amazing resources:-
http://ryanbigg.com/2010/12/ubuntu-ruby-rvm-rails-and-you/
http://railsapps.github.com/rails.html