[RESOLVED] Best language for horse racing analysis code

[and4code]

What is the best language to learn to write code to analyze horse races?

[nuzzle]

What is the best language to learn to write code to analyze horse races?

Horse++.

Just kidding. I guess it depends on what you're going to do and what kind of programming background you have. In principle any general programming language would do. Why not try Visual Basic 2010 Express? It can be downloaded here for free,

http://www.microsoft.com/express/Dow...0-Visual-Basic

Or if the emphasis is on data analysis and visual presentation you could try some highlevel mathematically oriented language like Freemat, Scilab and GNU Octave. They're free too.

[and4code]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my question. Since you are the only reply I have received, I ask, "Is this the wrong forum for my question?"
Yes, I would need a language that can perform data analysis, and yes, I would need great flexibility in the visual presentation, but I have never heard of the languages: Freemat, Scilab and GNU Octave.
A previous version of the code I need was written in C (prior to C89), and I know enough about that code to modify it, but not to start from scratch. I know basic SQL Plus, and I am starting to learn Visual Basic 2008.
Based on this information, which language do you think would be easy to learn, and meet my data analysis/visual presentation criteria?
Any direction you can provide is greatly appreciated.

[nuzzle]

"Is this the wrong forum for my question?"

It's almost impossible to advice which language is best for a certain application. There are so many issues involved. But often the best language simply is the one you know best and feel most comfortable with.

Maybe you could instead pick a language you're interested in learning and then seek advice in a forum dedicated to that language about what's involved in developing your specific application.

I don't think Visual Basic is a bad choise actually (although I would go for VB 2010). It's a .NET language so you'll have easy access to lots of libraries. The only real limitation is that your program will run on Windows only.

[and4code]

Thank you again for your time.

[nuzzle]

Thank you again for your time.

Well, sorry i couldn't be more specific.

In addition to Visual Basic, which I think is a good language if you don't have formal training in computing, I think you should have a look at Silverlight.

http://www.silverlight.net/

It will allow you to "web enable" your application which could be fun.

[and4code]

I appreciate your additional comments.

I will focus on Visual Basic for now, or maybe find a way to import my C code.

[dglienna]

That won't be possible, I'm afraid. You can use SOME libraries that don't require pointers, but not all.

[and4code]

Thank you, dglienna. Do you know if I can import my C code into C# or C++? I realize I may need to change some syntax.

[Ajay Vijay]

Do you know if I can import my C code into C# or C++? I realize I may need to change some syntax.

Yes you can. You just export the C/C++ function, and import with DllImport attribute and System.Runtime.InteropServices usage. I dont know exact syntax, but you can do that.

Other approach is to re-write the C/C++ functions into managed classes, and you can use them as you use any assembly.

[and4code]

Thank you for your reply. I will switch to Visual Studio for C++ and learn that instead.