Replies

First of all, thank you all for your comments. They are much appreciated.

To clarify: I need to pick the language that provides firstly maximum protection from reverse-engineering and maximum speed via compilation to native code, and secondly the most amount of power per statement (machine language would be worst). Thirdly, I would like to minimize the risks inherent in using something not widely tested, like say using a library used in 3 products. I will deploy to the desktop, and won’t be doing anything graphic intensive.

Short version: C# doesn’t compile to native, Java can with GCJ and a $3185 tool from excelsior-usa, Python can compile to C++ with Mark Dufour’s “Shed-Skin” tool, and C++ with QT or GTK or APR (Apache Portable Runtime) might be the ticket.

1) Java is a possibility since the few conditions which cause memory leaks can be worked around in testing, and the code can’t be EASILY reverse engineered if I either use the native compiler made by excelsior-usa ($3185 for Windows and Linux, which excludes Mac OSX), or GNU GCJ. Main risks outside of myself (ahem) are thus either GNU GCJ or the programmers at excelsior-usa working as advertised.

2) Though C# is Microsoft’s attempt at improving on Java, and I love Developer Studio, I can’t find a native compiler for it at all. C# is out.

3) Python is according to many, including Eric Raymond, an exceedingly powerful wonderful language. With Shed-Skin, I can expect roughly C++ levels of speed and resistance to reverse-engineering. I’ll probably have to help write the project though, since only one man is implementing Shed-Skin. If he were to move on, I’d be screwed if I didn’t pick up the reins and continue it myself.

4) C++ with GTK. I can work around the hazards of C++.

5) C++ with QT. Ditto, and I can get commercial support for QT.

6) C++ with APR, and I can get Apache’s support for the Apache portable runtime.

Did I forget anything? Did I mis-analyze anything? Again, thank you all for your time and energy.