The Kernel is written in "C".

Your asking for an opinion with the App language that is used the most. My guess would be Java (because of the web), Desktop = my guess would be "C++". I really like Python and Java but I tried Kylix(delphi) and Recital on the Linux platform.

The nice thing about Python is it's easy to learn for a VFP programmer (mostly because it has a run time environment run test in and the way classes are created). Although, Python has a very active news group it's hard getting information. It might like a begginer getting info on VFP.

Java on the other hand has lots of support and plenty of books to gather information. And now that 1.4 is out the runtime is very fast for desktops (so I expect I'll soon see many new desktop apps). On the down side it requires a larger learning curve than Python for a VFP programmer.

Both languages have very diffcult user interfaces for the GUI. I think Java's sucks. I like Python's better but lacks support and doc's. Check out boa, Python_card. Python_card has a VB to Python converter. My problem with Java is the look and feel of the programs. In java if you use the standard swing it's not what you'd expect for an app written today.

For Python just go to the Python site along with the GUI builders sites.

For Java check out Eclipse, JBuilder (personal), and Netbeans. I playing with Eclipse but the GUI builder is hard to understand and setup. JBuilder had the easest install and GUI builder (BTW all are free).

Where to help? I guess it depends on which langauge you choose. If you choose Python check the VB to Python converter (maybe you can convert VFP. VB is close to VFP) it looks very good. In the Java world there are so many that I can even suggest anything.

This is not the best forum for linux - there are plenty and lots of readers - just use google.

PS. I forgot Momo the .Net for Linux.

John



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