Our "core" product uses Internet protocols, but it's not a true "Web Application". Also, our largest customer runs it as a multi-threaded application on 2 larger HP/UX boxes. It is a command line application written in C++, with a VBScript GUI that accesses the database.

We use http/https, but not HTML.

But, more recently, I'm working on a prototype. The company owner has a "demo" in about 2 weeks, but really hasn't even decided what languages to write it in, yet.

My direct report wants it done in C++.

I've been doing my pieces in C++, knowing that it will be portable to Java or PHP, which are distinct possibilities. It will either be a Web-app in PHP, or a Java or C++ app in either JBuilder or Visual C++.

But, my part is to parse X12 messages, and that can be done pretty simply in pretty much anything. It would be nice to be able to do it in Java or PHP, though.

We still have to do a GUI, and it will have to be in something more than straight C++, IMHO, to win this account. PHP is a possibility, JBuilder, or Visual C++.

I guess I can "get aggressive" here and just get it coded in a language where we can do the show. I guess I'll just pick the language, and he'll have to demo it for the show.

Actually, I think the owner doesn't care, bottom line, as long as it looks good and performs well at the show. It doesn't have to multi-thread or really scale, but it does have to be done, and the owner trained in about 2 weeks.

I already know Java and C/C++, some VB/VBScript, and a host of other languages from my mainframe life (REXX, COBOL, Assembler).

Our "base" language at the company is C++. Our core product is in C++. I'm sure my direct report wants it in C++.

Glen Austin