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+--- Thread: How do you create an application? (/showthread.php?tid=55784)
How do you create an application? - graylocks - 05-30-2008
a field i'm involved in needs a tracking application that runs on a mac. there are a number of windows options but none for a mac. no one seems interested in making a mac version. so i was thinking - what does it take to create software? how does all this that i love about my mac life get to my desktop? is it something i could do?
the answer to the last question is probably no as i have little free time. but still, how does this all happen? i thought i'd as here for a start as googling a question this vague would give me a gazillion hits i wouldn't understand.
Re: How do you create an application? - Paul F. - 05-30-2008
A "tracking application" sounds like maybe it's primarily a database?
You can write those with Filemaker Pro... given enough time.
As for "non database" programming... I'll leave that to others, 'cause I'm hazy on the concept myself.
Re: How do you create an application? - mattkime - 05-30-2008
FileMaker if its a fairly database centric app. RealBasic if you need fancier user interaction. Cocoa/Objective-C gives you all the power.
Then again, a lot of apps have moved online. html/php/mysql/javascript would be a common solution.
Re: How do you create an application? - graylocks - 05-30-2008
[quote Paul F.]A "tracking application" sounds like maybe it's primarily a database?
guess being unclear isn't particularly helpful. it's not like one of you is going to rush out and steal this oh-so-lucrative idea. i homeschool my son and there is no mac program for making lesson plans, assignment sheets, tracking grades and stuff like that. there was one for OS 9: i still use it and is the only remaining reason for my needing a G4 mac. i don't know if FM can do that but i assume users would have to own FM to run a program culled from that and the market i'm thinking of wouldn't own FM.
Re: How do you create an application? - iaJim - 05-30-2008
Have you looked at EasyGradePro?
Re: How do you create an application? - Paul F. - 05-30-2008
Well... let's see...
I wouldn't say that one could NOT do that kind of program using Filemaker... the more I use filemaker for, the more uses I find for it (even ones that it's really not optimal for...).
It doesn't sound like Filemaker would be the best choice.
But to another part of the question; in earlier versions of Filemaker (6 in particular), one could buy Filemaker Developer, and roll a Filemaker database into a stand-alone application, not requireing Filemaker to run.
If you get serious about the idea, I'd try to contact the company that made the OS 9 version, and see if you can negotiate the rights to build an OS X version of it using their source code.
NOT a small project, and an uphill battle with the company, I'm sure...but what the hell! It would be cool :-)
Re: How do you create an application? - dmann - 05-30-2008
Sounds like a great R&D school assignment for your son!
DM
Re: How do you create an application? - graylocks - 05-30-2008
[quote iaJim]Have you looked at EasyGradePro?
i just glanced at it. it covers the grade and attendance tracking needs but not the planning needs. for instance, determining that a certain math lesson will be done on a certain day at a certain time by a particular student. (not all homeschoolers plan that way, i don't, but the app would need to have that as an option.) then, once a plan is made, an individual assignment sheet could be generated for each student.
Re: How do you create an application? - graylocks - 05-30-2008
[quote dmann]Sounds like a great R&D school assignment for your son!
DM
yeah, like he'd jump at the chance to make my homeschooling day easier! actually, the ironic thing is, he's decided he wants to go to conventional school and is entering a public high school in august. my homeschooling journey is about over. maybe i'm looking for a project to fill up the free time. (NOT! this is a major lifestyle change for me and i'm probably about to join the masses of the 40 a week wage workers!)
Re: How do you create an application? - graylocks - 05-30-2008
[quote Paul F.]
If you get serious about the idea, I'd try to contact the company that made the OS 9 version, and see if you can negotiate the rights to build an OS X version of it using their source code.
NOT a small project, and an uphill battle with the company, I'm sure...but what the hell! It would be cool :-)
that's an interesting idea. not having to start from scratch sounds good. i need to look into what it means to write code. so, everything on a computer screen - lines, colors, spacings - is the result of code? no WYSIWYG for making an app?!