Visual Basic, C++, or Java?

[quaxo]

I have a project I need to create a program for, but first I need to decide what language to learn in order to create the program. I'm considering Basic, C++ or Java, but any other suggestion would be nice. I've been asked if I could do this by some friends who are teachers here. They want to use it in a summer camp they're doing.

About the program:
The program is for a live-action, turn-based RPG of sorts. The program needs to keep track of certain statistics, modifying the values each turn based on user input (values added from things like trade) and computer monitored statistics (levels that fluctuate each turn based on variables), display small pictures alongside text (jpg or other format of images contained in a folder with the program), and some other functions.

Layout:
There will be one main window which lists all of the statistics, has an "end turn" button, and also buttons to access a glossary of terms and to save certain final statistics to a text file for printing from another computer without the program (so printing from the program itself won't be necessary). The program will also need to create a save file, so the program can be closed and resumed later (as the game will take place over 3+ days). A pop-up window will be needed (or change within the same window) for entering of trade information with other players and possibly some other things.

Requirements:
Not many. It just needs to be an executable in the end and run in Windows XP. It doesn't have to be visually stunning or demanding, as I believe the laptops they're using are a bit old, and they're all using XP.

Experience:
My programming experience is with Basic (not Visual Basic, but Basic) which I learnt in high school years ago. I also have a lot of experience with scripting for Neverwinter Nights, Neverwinter Nights 2, and Dragon Age (all pretty similar in their scripting), and from what I understand, that scripting language is supposed to be very similar to C++ or Java.

I have 3 months to learn a language and write this simple (well, seems simple to me) program. Which language would probably be the easiest to accomplish this with? I don't mind buying a book or spending a bit of money, just want to make sure I start down the right road before I get going on this.

[robin1232]

if you want any future in this, learn C++, Java is pretty much dead

[Geek-9pm]

if you want any future in this, learn C++, Java is pretty much dead

A few years ago Java was the Great Next Thing!.

Do the project in Visual Basic.

You already have a project defined. So this is not about where the future. It is about getting a job done now that you can do with other people now.

But, if you must, here is a nice tutorial where a simple thing is done in both Visual Basic and C++  and the code is shown. The point is that a needed thing in C++ can be used inside of a program that is mostly in Visual Basic.

http://www.freevbcode.com/ShowCode.Asp?ID=3492

Your choice.
As for me, I like to combine and mix things together. 
Like Ketchup and mayonnaise.

[quaxo]

Nah, I'm busy enough with other things in life. This is mostly a one-off thing, just for this project.

I always studied about the hardware and software side of computers, but never the programming side (aside from what I mentioned before). Just trying to decide which language would  be the easiest to learn enough of to accomplish what I need.

A few years ago Java was the Great Next Thing!.

Do the project in Visual Basic.

You already have a project defined. So this is not about where the future. It is about getting a job done now that you can do with other people now.

But, if you must, here is a nice tutorial where a simple thing is done in both Visual Basic and C++  and the code is shown.

http://www.freevbcode.com/ShowCode.Asp?ID=3492

Your choice.

Thanks Geek.

[BC_Programmer]

I have to second the Visual Basic idea. a lot easier to learn then C++, and C++ would be overkill anyway.

Basically, it boils down to wether you want to spend twice as long on the project just to have it in C++; Not usually something that is worth it.

And java... well, don't get me started on that "revolutionary" language that changed everything and yet changed nothing all at once.

[quaxo]

I have to second the Visual Basic idea. a lot easier to learn then C++, and C++ would be overkill anyway.

Basically, it boils down to wether you want to spend twice as long on the project just to have it in C++; Not usually something that is worth it.

And java... well, don't get me started on that "revolutionary" language that changed everything and yet changed nothing all at once.

Haha yeah, I remember years and years ago a friend of mine (who's a programmer by profession) was going on and on about how Java was the future of programming.

Personally, I don't care about the future of said language, as long as it works for my purposes and I can learn it and complete this before mid-March.

I took a look at a Visual Basic book a few days ago at the bookshop. Seemed easy enough. Think I'll go with that. Thanks for the advice guys.

[ghostdog74]

go for Python. Easy to learn and use and you can make games quite easily too. Plus, you can run your game in other platforms as well.

[Geek-9pm]

Just a reminder. Bill Gates.Microsoft started by doing basic interpreters along, long time ago. And even years after that none of the C. compilers came even close to what you could do with Microsoft basic. Been there, done that. The C. compiler libraries, even the pricey ones, could not compete with the efficiency that Microsoft had put into the compiled basic runtime library. It was industrial quality stuff. It got the job done. The C. compilers at that time were more like academic experiments. At least for personal computers.
Of course, that's all behind us now. Still, Microsoft's visual studio suite still looks an awful lot like visual basic.
in the valuation packages of several different versions of Microsoft visual what ever. In fact, you can download them all and use the tools that you like the best.
However, Microsoft is doing very little to adopt stuff that is closely tied to UNIX.

[BC_Programmer]

Microsoft is doing very little to adopt stuff that is closely tied to UNIX.

Like C? Because, you know, it's only what windows is written in, after all.

[jhuns]

I would have to second the vote for python because it is easy to learn, and in my opinion, a much better language all around than BASIC.  If you are intent on learning one of the three you listed, I would go for C++ unless you are totally certain that you will never want to program again besides this one project, and then I guess you could go for BASIC.

"It is practically impossible to teach good programming to students that have had a prior exposure to BASIC: as potential programmers they are mentally mutilated beyond hope of regeneration."
--Edsger Dijkstra

[Geek-9pm]

Like C? Because, you know, it's only what windows is written in, after all.

My remarks were about the libraries of C. They would not very good. The Microsoft stuff was good, but MS did not release their own libraries to others. Unless you paid the price. The remarks about poor habits of Basic programmers can also apply to some C programmers that create absolute trash code.
Just being able to read and write code does not make you effective in your work. You need piratical skill in solving problems and dealing with exceptional conditions. There is a fallacy that learning a firm set of rules will insure good habits. The good habits, in turn, bring sure success. The is almost true. Bur not true enough.

Case in point.
Look how English language dominates the business world.
I rest my case.

[BC_Programmer]

it's the people who can write code but lack the proper brain cells to do so properly that give us the material on thedailywtf.com. 

[Geek-9pm]

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