Thread: Recommend upgrade path for C programs

Hi,

I am looking to upgrade (rewrite) some legacy C programs, and would really appreciate some helpful suggestions on the route to take. i.e. Should it be C++, or C# or .Net or something else?

Background
=========
Programs:
(a) These are MS C v6 utilizing CODEBASE to read Btrieve files (.btr) and output dBase (.dbf) files.
(b) Also some Borland Turbo C programs using BTRV API to read/write Btrieve files.
(c) Finally, some Clipper programs that may possibly be upgraded as well; just text and .dbf files.

Environment: Windows 2000 servers. Recently upgraded to Btrieve8. PCs W2K , being replaced by XP.

Programmer: Self taught in C (i.e. bright, but not very good!).

Other: Often come across memory problems, especially as OS upgrades are made, so the size of the executable may well be a consideration.

Many thanks,
Bob

You didn't say if you needed a full rewrite to leverage OO aspects of the possible languages, or, if this was just a "get it working with a new compiler for the ~6 year overdue OP/SYS upgrade".

Todd

Hi Todd,

It would be the latter, but more like "get it working with a new compiler for the ~20 year overdue OP/SYS upgrade".

The other idea behind it is to send someone else on a course (who has PERL script experience) to learn the new language, then they bring me up to speed. The legacy programs weren't written by me (though I did a large conversion on some for the Btrieve 8 upgrade!) and we are a very small shop now.

Bob

I would tend to pick the language that was more geared towards cross-platform use: C++, even though you are working with MS specific interfaces.

On the other hand, if you are only a MS software shop, picking C# and leveraging the .NET Framework might be the better choice. (wikipedia: .Net Framework)

Todd