Re: How Would You Rank....

These simply can't be evaluated against each other without knowing a lot about what you intend to develop. Here are some ideas anyway assuming it's data entry, reporting and similar activities you are after. You forgot perhaps the most important one to consider: Java. With its rapid development, high powered tools, soon Java Beans and extensive support from Informix including writing datablades, "stored procedures" and much more, it's rapidly becoming the most interesting alternativ to evaluate. dcollins@vsol.com (Dan Collins) wrote: :The following tools as it relates to development of production : applications running against an Informix database: : : * NewEra Fine for large applications, particularly when application partitioning is needed. Versions before 3.0 had limited GUI functionallity. 3.0 will fix that. Small user community and competition from Java may be a problem. : * Visual Basic Fine for small applications that are client only. It supports application partitioning on a Windows NT server, but it is not yet clear to me how well this works. : * PowerBuilder Mostly client only tool. They are working on application partitioning, some may be released. A lot of success stories and some not so successfull. Otherwise I don't know too much. : * Delphi Powerfull, high quality but have been client only. It may support MS DCOM for application partitioning on Windows NT (the same as Visual Basic). : * Visual C++ Usefull only for a limited set of specialized applications. Not the best for general use with data entry and reporting. (I dislike the concept and idea behind C++. Among other things it's reliance on pointers makes it very easy to make applications with hard to find faults. Check out http://www.progsoc.uts.edu.au/~geldridg/cpp/cppcv3.html for a critique and comparison with Java and Eiffel.) Nils.Myklebust@idg.no NM Data AS, P.O.Box 9090 Gronland, N-0133 Oslo, Norway My opinions are those of my company The Informix FAQ is at http://www.iiug.org