Java and printers

[pmravdin]

I need some advice.

I have an application that I have written in Delphi 5 (I am a self taught Developer with no formal education in this area who has learned by talking with others, reading, by copying, and by bruit force. I am just starting to learn Java. ). The program is complex with 6000 lines of code and blocks doing computation, and driving complex graphics and text interfaces. It requires some user input and then produces some output both on screen and printed out nicely on a laser printer or user’s printing device. The program is distributed on CD ROM. There are 8,000 copies of the program out there world wide. For the 2003 version I would like to make it web based.

I am unsure about what language I should write it in.

Here are the characteristics I would like in the new version of the program.

Highest priority characteristics.

Web based.
User input via web.
Nice print-outs from the Web based application by user at their PC.

Mid range wishes

I would also like to have it run as an application for machines not attached to web for those who want to load from a CD.

Low range wish.

To have it run on Macs and Unix based machines.


My question is can I get wishes 1-4? (Even 1-5)?

With Delphi?
With Java?
With XML (I know nothing about this language.)

Many thanks helping me with some advice.

Peter Ravdin
pmravdin@aol.com

 

[jemminger]

Peter,

Java would probably be a suitable language. This will take care of wishes 1, 2, 4, & 5; you'll have to check with the Java guys though to see if Java has greater control over print formatting. ======================================

if (!succeed) try();
-jeff