RAD that best supports custom DB solutions?

[Brian Stradale]

I have no particular language bias... Java, C++, Delphi, BASIC, CLOS... I'll go with whatever has the best RAD/IDE tool suite for this problem:

My next project will be a database-centric business application with multiple users navigating and inputting data into a database. I will build a core data model, business functionality, and a set of template screens. Those screens will need sophisticated charting capabilities and diagramming capabilities, in addition to the typical tables of data, and hierarchical trees.

Then, for each customer, I fully expect to:

1) develop custom variations of those template screens
2) map the app onto their preferred database (Oracle, DB2, Sybase, SQL Server, whatever)
3) deliver the app on whatever platform (Windows, Linux, MacOSX, Solaris, HPUX, whatever)

My key concerns are:
A) Long-term source control for many customer variations
B) On-going evolution of hierarchies of screens and functionality (core, industry-specific, company-specific, workgroup-specific)
C) High productivity!! (And fun!!)

So, any recommendations on what is the current state of the art?
What is the most effective database-centric RAD tool in existence?

[Davey]

In my opinion, Visual C# is the quickest tool to develop with and is lots of fun !!

If however you want your app to run cross platform, I would consider looking at developing a Web app in C# if you can.

If you need more control over your app, then I would suggest Java. This will give you proper cross platform ability.

If you are proficient in C# and Java, productivity is probably going to be similar in both.

[Yves M]

The easiest way is probably Java. With C# you will lose the multiple platform support (which also rules against Delphi and Visual Basic). Another possibility is C++ with a cross-platform window manager like wxWidgets, but I would not call this RAD.