Thread: Is it possible to write commercial software?

  1. #1
    Puddin
    Guest

    Is it possible to write commercial software?

    Is it possible to write commercial software by C++ solely?
    I mean it can be shareware for Win32 system or anything like that. Can it be done by simply sitting in front of my Pentium MMX and work for seven nights?

    Is C++ powerful enough? What is the actual procedure of producing a shareware to earn little money actually?

    Thanks. Maybe off topic.

  2. #2
    &TH of undefined behavior Fordy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    5,793
    LOL....C++ for commercial software?????

    Most commercial software is written in C/C++.......Often MFC......

  3. #3
    the hat of redundancy hat nvoigt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    Hannover, Germany
    Posts
    3,130
    Is it possible to write commercial software?
    Nope. Thats a myth. There is no commercial software. All those programs just look as if they were working, but in reality, what you see is a clever illusion to make you believe you were actually using it. Instead, while you don't look, they breed little hamsters ( why ? Don't ask me ).


    Okay, seriously: YES.

    >Is C++ powerful enough?

    C++ is the most powerful tool for the job short of assembly. But beware, a powerful tool is harder to use than an easy one.

    >Can it be done by simply sitting in front of my Pentium MMX
    >and work for seven nights?

    Basically yes. You need a concept, you need to program, you need to test it over and over... but basically, it's just work, no magic.
    hth
    -nv

    She was so Blonde, she spent 20 minutes looking at the orange juice can because it said "Concentrate."

    When in doubt, read the FAQ.
    Then ask a smart question.

  4. #4
    I'm Back
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Posts
    556
    >>Can it be done by simply sitting in front of my Pentium MMX and work for seven nights?

    what are you going to do in the days??
    -

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Posts
    114
    C++ is *the* most powerfull highlevel language. But that is my humble oppinion (and I'm always right.)

    Can you create a commercial software in 7 days? Probably not.

    The procedure of software developement? For a lonewolf I would define the procedure like this:

    First you gotta have an idea of what you must do, then you should test the idea on your friends (kinda like brainstorming) to see if it would be an idea that sells well (your friends liked it).

    Then you have to design your software. How it looks, feels and what features there are. And how the work (in theory) behind the shell. Failure at this stage will result in a longer developement process. After that, test the design on some friends, do they like the looks of the program or not? If not, you are back to the drawing board.

    When through these steps, its time to start the coding. By now you should know every major functionality your program will have (the more you know the shorter the code process). When you have completed the major functionallity, release a beta test of your program to your friends. Do they like the performance or not? what do they think is good/bad? Are they confused by the layout? Above all, try to find out what they don't like, thats what you must improve, not what they think is good! If your friends like it, fix the last bugs and release it to the market... What makes the program shareware? This most people know. Ex: all features isn't working, you can't save etc. Just add an check for all funktions that should be disabled in shareware, and check if the program is registered or not.

    You could also release the program under GNU license and earn... FAME! or something...

    /dave

  6. #6
    Registered User biosx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    230
    Originally posted by ninebit
    You could also release the program under GNU license and earn... FAME! or something...
    If only it was that easy.. I want to be famous ::sniff::

    I just want to emphasize on the planning. If you are really going to write an application and release it, you better plan out (either with flowcharts, pseudo, or UML) what the heck you are going to be doing and how you plan to do it.

  7. #7
    Puddin
    Guest

    Exclamation

    Can anyone post a workable freeware's source code, which is workable and really short in length?
    This would help me to get an idea of what a commercial stuff is like.
    Or maybe is it unrealistic for such a request? If so, just ignore.

  8. #8
    Registered User biosx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    230
    Head over to
    freshmeat.net and download some source code. You can get an idea of the work they do.

  9. #9
    Puddin
    Guest
    Any idea for what freeware I should write? There seems to be so many kind of softwares around which a multi-functional. Can you guys suggest some idea that was both distinct and suitable for newbies(not too new actually) to write?

  10. #10
    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    MI
    Posts
    8,823
    How new is a "not so new newbie"? (if a woodchuck could chuck wood... )

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Posts
    12
    just do something that you are interested in.... for example if you like to game, make a simple game. Or if you have some feature you wish you had on your computer, maybe other people would like that too and run with that idea. The possibilities are endless, but do something you will enjoy.

  12. #12
    Puddin
    Guest
    Originally posted by Govtcheez
    How new is a "not so new newbie"? (if a woodchuck could chuck wood... )
    It is just something like "not so man manager", "not so clean cleaner", etc....

    The problem is that, whenever I want an extra function in my computer, I can get the relevant software in download.com . How can I make something that is distinctive from the existing programmes? ai....

  13. #13
    Registered User Dual-Catfish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    802
    Ahh, If we could all answer that.. we would all be rich

  14. #14
    If you don't have an idea you're probably not gonna produce any program. A good program will take longer than 7 nights to make anyway and if it sells is something only *chance* knows. The easiest route if you just want to break into the biz, which is what it sounds like you want to do, go to www.sourceforge.net and get involved with others on a project. This is good experience, and good highlights for your resume to show that you've actually been involved with something high-level or full process development, even if it is GNU(shareware). Once you have something like this on your resume you can get picked up quite easily.

    If you're talented enough and have an idea or just want to use your skills to make someone else's program idea come to fruition and make some money go to www.asynchrony.com.

    The fastest way to make some cash but is probably also one of the hardest is to go freelance(contractor) and hit up sites like www.itmoonlighter.com or something like that URL to place yourself and your skills on the open market. This is the toughest route because you need to be confident in your skills and you will be competing and bidding against many other professionals, many of whom are really corporations or IThouses, not just an individual like yourself, who can put more ppl and hours into a project. The project creators are also very demanding, most cases overly so since they are used to dealing with a development house- but if you got the balls and the walk to back-up your bids it's a nice way to make $100K for 3-months work.
    My Avatar says: "Stay in School"

    Rocco is the Boy!
    "SHUT YOUR LIPS..."

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. How to write a program
    By Tashfique in forum C++ Programming
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 10-17-2008, 11:28 AM
  2. Software Design/Test - Redmond, WA
    By IRVolt in forum Projects and Job Recruitment
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 06-11-2008, 10:26 AM
  3. read write lock in C#
    By George2 in forum C# Programming
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 04-16-2008, 08:49 AM
  4. Is Linux More Secure Than Windows?
    By xErath in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 69
    Last Post: 06-29-2005, 07:13 PM
  5. Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-04-2005, 02:46 PM