Moving to a new IDE - Consider AI ?

Hello All,

The discussions regarding PCSoft's move to the SaaS version have raised the issue of moving development to another IDE, one of which was Visual Studio.
Coincidentally, I was asked today to take part in an AWS survey for one of their AI tools - Q Developer - which supports the VS IDE.

I am not sold on all the promises of AI but my experience with AWS products in the specific area of EC2 WIndows servers with TSPlus has always been very good so maybe their AI products work as well.

Whether their Q product does all it promises or not, I thought that the provision of either internal or external AI tools should be a consideration in the selection of an alternate IDE as they could reduce the learning curve.

Regards
AL



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/2025 12:35AM by Al.

We have been using VS Code with AI for a few months and I have to say it is really worth it.

It makes life of developer easier.

Currently using VS Code with Calude and just recently added Gemini Code Assistant (Google AI Studio) to the mix.

--
Yogi Yang

Hi YogiYang

Please keep us posted with some of these technologies.

For me - I think Visual Studio might be the easiest move as I can already code in C# and .NET.

Anyway - I asked AI (coPilot - not AL).

The usefulness of these AI responses is always limited - as the default response to anything is 'Yes'. (So the question is more important than the answer.)

Anyway - just thought that I would throw this question - is VS suitable replacement for Windev/WebDev:-

(Answer)

Yes, your assessment that Visual Studio is a strong contender for your large-scale business application is quite reasonable. Here's why:

Why Visual Studio is a Viable Option for Your Needs
Robustness for Large Applications:

Visual Studio, combined with the .NET framework, is well-suited for handling large, complex applications like yours. It excels in managing vast datasets, numerous windows, and extensive business logic.

Database Support:

It offers excellent tools for database integration, such as Entity Framework Core, enabling you to efficiently work with large databases like your 1,000-table structure.

Code Reusability:

.NET facilitates shared logic between desktop (Windows Forms/WPF) and web (ASP.NET) applications, similar to how you're currently using WinDev and WebDev.

API Integration:

Visual Studio simplifies integration with external APIs, which is critical for your application given its numerous government API interfaces.

Cross-Platform Possibilities:

With frameworks like .NET MAUI or ASP.NET Core, you can target multiple platforms, ensuring flexibility for future expansions, including mobile or cross-platform needs.

Scalability and Performance:

Applications built with .NET have proven scalability and performance, essential for your business-intensive operations.

Development Ecosystem:

Visual Studio provides powerful debugging, version control, testing, and collaboration tools. It supports large development teams and long-term maintenance.

Other Considerations
Learning Curve: If your team is transitioning from WinDev and WebDev, there may be a learning curve with Visual Studio and .NET. Training or hiring experienced .NET developers might be necessary.

Migration Effort: Transferring data models, business logic, and user interfaces will require significant planning and effort. Tools like EF Core for databases and Blazor for modern web interfaces can help ease this process.

Visual Studio is a reliable, scalable, and future-proof environment, especially if you're looking for long-term maintainability and the ability to adapt as your application grows. Let me know if you'd like insights on the migration process or specific .NET tools that could make this transition smoother!

And also - plenty of tools and assistance. The primary fear of WinDev all these years ago was that is was a niche product and I have previously seen many of these disappear. (So not too surprised that it is happening again).

anyway ... couple of tools suitable for Visual Studio ...


Certainly! Here’s an overview of **EF Core** and **Blazor**, along with links to their official resources:

### **Entity Framework Core (EF Core)**
EF Core is a lightweight, extensible, and cross-platform version of Entity Framework, designed for .NET developers to work with databases using .NET objects. It eliminates much of the boilerplate code typically required for data access.

- **Key Features**:
- Object-Relational Mapping (ORM): Maps database tables to .NET objects.
- Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Database Providers: Supports various databases like SQL Server, SQLite, PostgreSQL, and MySQL.
- Migrations: Helps manage database schema changes over time.

- **Getting Started**: You can find a detailed guide on how to set up EF Core and create your first app [here](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/ef/core/).

### **Blazor**
Blazor is a framework for building interactive web UIs using C# instead of JavaScript. It allows you to create full-stack web applications with .NET.

- **Key Features**:
- **Blazor Server**: Runs on the server and updates the UI over a SignalR connection.
- **Blazor WebAssembly**: Runs directly in the browser using WebAssembly.
- Component-Based Architecture: Build reusable UI components.
- Integration: Works seamlessly with .NET libraries and APIs.

- **Getting Started**: Learn more about Blazor and how to build your first app [here](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/blazor/?view=aspnetcore-9.0).

Both tools are excellent for modernizing and scaling your application. Let me know if you'd like help diving deeper into either!

Message Copilot

Has anyone tried flutterflow? I'm currently looking around at alternative IDEs for developing the frontend, call my REST APIs developed with WINDEV...

Rgds
Paul.

Hi,

in flutterflow, testing is free, however you have to pay US$ 30.- / month if you want to get / see your generated source, US$ 70.- to upload the executable to both play stores. It may be a timesaver, but I think, it isn't worth it. Rather look at [jit.dev] or [workik.com] or understand code generation with Andrea [codewithandrea.com] Discussion on [www.reddit.com] Look at the number of packages [fluttergems.dev]

Kind regards,
Guenter Predl
gpredl@syspredl.at



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/2025 05:29PM by gpredl.

Lowcoder ?