Need some Assitance in determining what language to use to create a web app.

Hello,

I am totally new to this concept, please bear with me. What I want to be able to do is create sort of a web app (if this is what you call it) that will update files on your computer, by just clicking an update button. In which will run a function to check either modified date or created date of certain files within a folder on the clients machine, with the files on a web server.

If the files are different then the updated file will be automatically downloaded to your computer overwriting the old one.

I've research very little about this due to the fact, I don't know where to start. But having done so, I have found that some of these langauges, methods, whatnots is what I need to do this sort of thing.

VB, ActiveX, Java, C++

I have taken VB, and Java class when I was in college back in 93 so I'm sure they have changed somewhat. As for C++, I've only browsed through some books, and ActiveX I have no clue what it even looks like.

So the question here is, what language is best to use, considering, most compatible with OS, easiest to code, and requires the least amount of libraries, modules, packages.

Another helpful item would be links to website describing how to code something of this nature, whether books, tutorials, or just basic info.

I'm also wondering if one can be created useing PERL or PHP. For those I know best.

Thanks for you assitance,
Lunatic

I'm thinking you'll want to use an ActiveX object for this. You can write these in VB, it is an option in visual studio. Beyond that, I can't really help, since I don't have much experience in the ActiveX arena.

Both ActiveX and Java would still need permission from the user to execute certain operations on their computer.

Oh, of course drgroove. but I would like this functionality because of the number of files we have. It would just be easier to automate the process..

Thanks for your replys... So I would use ActiveX Objects by coding in VB?

is this right?

Actually, you're better off doing this in Java. Otherwise, your users had better be using Windows...

Thanks for the insight drgroove, i do believe the majority of the users if not all are using windows.

Ill have a look into both java and vb. see which one brings back memories the quickest.. lol

I also did about 6mon of java programing back in college as well.. again im sure things have changed.

Not to mention I don't even know where I can get a java programming tool.. I would only think at the Sun site. I'll check there. but I all ready have visual stuido.


Is this thing hard to code? or should it be fairly easy?


Thanks again man