What programming language to use for local, offline application?

Posted by MuffinJets@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 20 comments

I have the opportunity to create a program for a real-world use. It's an application that will take in some csv files, run some calculations, and then output a billing receipt with all the required information filled in. Initially, I thought about creating it in Java with java awt for a simple GUI. This way, the user can have the program locally installed on whatever computer they want to have the application on. However, a friend of mine told me this can lead to future problems if the computer does not have the same JRE update as I do when I made the program. I don't know if this is a serious/common problem, so I am unsure if I should continue with making this in java. If it is, do any of you have suggestions for another programming language I should use for making the app that fulfills the previously mentioned desires (parses csv files, has a gui, runs offline) and avoids any issues that would cause people to ask me why the program won't run on a different computer or some issue like that?

20 Comments

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RealLordDevien@reddit

Most languages need runtimes. Python, JS, C#, Go, Rust, Even C++. Its ok to depend on those runtimes and expect the users to install them. (If you really dont, just make an installer, that takes care of this) Compared to most other runtimes, the JDK is very likely already present. Just continue in Java (or switch to a better JVM language like Clojure /joke)

szank@reddit

You are mixing up terms here. You don't need to have any runtime environment for go rust or c++. You can just compile it copy over to another machine and run it. You might need some extra dynamic libraries if you haven't compiled everything statically and compiling everything starically might not be that easy but there's no runtime.

you are right. Go and Rust where stupid examples, since they mostly compile to all-in-one excutables. (Was way to early to think, when i made that comment :D). But installing a JRE, which is a runtime, or e.g. VC++ Redistributables, which are dynamic libs that need to be installed centrally on your machine makes really no difference for the end user. I was definitly simplifying things. I just wanted to express, that its ok to depend on runtimes / libs and that you do not neccessarily need to choose your language on the capability to create all-in-one binaries, since that can be mitigated by the way you package your application.

evergreen-spacecat@reddit

No. These languages does not need installed runtimes, but some of them can utilize installed runtimes. Even C# can compile to native standalone code these days and languages such as js or python has runtimes that can be used as libs in other languages.

yeah, i didnt mean to imply that they must be installed seperately. You can just provide then with your app or even statically link them into it.

F1_Legend@reddit

java can be shipped with graalvm, you will not need a runtime.

Ghost187_@reddit

I know c#, so i would go with a WPF application, and publish it as a self-contained app. So everything you need to run it is included, and it wont matter whats on the machine. If you need more than Windows OS, then use the same approach and swap out WPF with AvaloniaUI. For an app which you described, id imagine you could have this up and running in no time, assuming the logic you need to write isn't crazy,

sejigan@reddit

Your friend must’ve never heard of “packaging the runtime with the program” :v Both Java and Python do this. I would use Python simply cuz it’s what I know and use, and I would use something like Poetry to ensure the right version of dependencies (including the Python runtime). I’m sure something similar exists for Java, so I’d say look into that

_ProgrammingProblems@reddit

Both of these languages are great suggestions in my opinion. I have a slight bias towards Python because I like the (typically) very low cost of development it brings for small to medium size projects.

And if you _need_ performance, just implement the compute heavy parts in C or C++ and call it from Python. It’s a great language to work with - an absolute joy.

MuffinJets@reddit (OP)

So you’re saying the Java app would automatically update the computer’s JRE if they try to run it?

Uh, no? There would be no updates to anything. If you package it like this: - /app/ - /app/jre/ - /app/main/ Then the JRE you package will stay as is - separate from the system JRE if anything is installed.

I see. Thanks.

Since it’s your app, you will need to download the JRE and put it in that folder

G1YA@reddit

The JRE needed can be provided in the program files.

longlegs109@reddit

This. Just use whatever you're comfortable with, OP. And include all your dependencies into a single package.

son_et_lumiere@reddit

Web assembly.

trickednoob@reddit

If you're looking for something slick and quick to build I'd suggest Flutter. Perhaps a bit unorthodox, but with your requirements I think you'd have a society result. Plus it could work online and with numerous devices if you needed at a later date.

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YamaokaTesshu@reddit

Depending on where you went to school, I could recommend Free Pascal and the Lazarus IDE. It’s the simplest way to create cross-platform GUI applications with fast compile times. I used to study Turbo Pascal, so there was no resistance to learning Free Pascal.

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