I always ask - is there something (that I don't have to write) that supports a backend database. I know very little C, C++, and Java. But it does not look very hard (I like the Java more than the others) but without something to get to data easily it's not the way to go for me. The problem I have with Kylix is driver doesn't support BLOB (except on Interbase) and Borland is not keeping up with the updated versions of MySQL or Postgres. Other than the driver issue Kylix 2 is working OK. I tried a little KDevelop and got it to work with a test program but don't have any tools (than I understand) to access data.

So both SUN and IBM look like they have good products but what about access to data? Why is forte like VFP? Are you only talking about the IDE?
John