Tool talk C still rules for our application writers, but Java is up and coming By Carolyn W.C. Wong

September  1996

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The C language is still holding strong. At least that seems to be the case in reviewing our reader survey on development tools last month. Of the 63 readers who responded, 98 percent write (or manage folks who write) scripts or programs. It's a toss up between Bourne, C Shell, and Perl as the language of choice in writing scripts. 39 percent of the readers say use either Bourne or C Shell, and the same can be said of Perl. But C is the definite winner to those writing applications. 52 percent use C, while 21 percent use C++. Java obviously has some catching up to do, but it will certainly gain favor over time -- 12 percent of the respondents use it now.

Script writing is serious business. Our readers aren't into the fancy schmancy. 90 percent merely use standard text editors when writing scripts. In writing applications, 48 percent use purchased development tools, while 38 percent use GNU development tools. GNU is in fact the most popular supplier-based tools for our respondents (39 percent). But SunSoft Workshop is right behind at 35 percent.

Not surprisingly, the primary target operating system for readers' applications is Solaris 2 (56 percent). Other Unixes follow at 28 percent. But what is the single most infuriating issue for these application/script writers? 54 percent cringe at implementing features, 21 percent curse deadlines, and 19 percent are fixated on eliminating bugs.

The focus of application development is definitely not on databases -- 53 percent of the respondents aren't involved in building db apps at all. Intranet or the Internet garners the most attention here. 71 percent are creating applications or scripts for these two areas.

Although 41 percent think Java is less important that all the press coverage it receives, the same amount of people agree that it will change the software business as we know it. 57 percent of the readers are already developing applications with Java. Meanwhile, only 12 percent are using ActiveX, and 72 percent say they have no plans to use it this year.

Remember to review the file "Readers comment on development tools" to learn more about what application development issues readers are struggling with in their jobs.--Carolyn W.C. Wong

Number of respondents: 63
as of 7:30 a.m. on August 29, 1996

1. Do you write (or manage people who write) scripts or programs?

       Yes:                                              98.3% 
       No (Please skip to question 11):                   1.7% 
   

2. What tools do you use most often when writing scripts?

       I don't write scripts:                             3.4% 
       Standard text editors:                            89.7% 
       Script development tools (purchased):              3.4% 
       Script development tools (shareware):              3.4%
   

3. What tools do you use most often when writing applications?

       I don't write applications:                        6.8% 
       Development tools (purchased):                    48.3% 
       Development tools (shareware):                     6.9% 
       Development tools (GNU):                          37.9% 
   

4. Which supplier's tools do you use most often in your application development work?

       GNU:                                              38.6% 
       Borland:                                           1.8% 
       Centerline Software:                               5.3% 
       HP Softbench:                                      0.0% 
       Microsoft:                                         5.3% 
       NeXT Software:                                     0.0% 
       SunSoft Workshop:                                 35.1% 
       Symantec:                                          0.0% 
       Other:                                            10.5% 
       Not applicable:                                    3.5% 
   

5. What language do you use most often when writing scripts?

       I don't write applications:                        5.3% 
       Bourne or C Shell:                                38.6% 
       Perl:                                             38.6% 
       Tcl/Tk:                                            1.8% 
       JavaScript:                                       12.3% 
       VB Script:                                         0.0% 
       Macromedia Director/Authorware/Shockwave:          0.0% 
       Microsoft ActiveX:                                 0.0% 
       HyperCard:                                         0.0% 
       Other:                                             3.5% 
   

6. What language do you use most often when writing applications?

       I don't write applications:                        6.9% 
       C:                                                51.7% 
       C++:                                              20.7% 
       Java:                                             12.1% 
       Other OO (Smalltalk, Eiffel, Modula, etc.):        3.4% 
       Fortran:                                           0.0% 
       Cobol:                                             0.0% 
       Visual Basic:                                      0.0% 
       Other:                                             5.2% 
   

7. What language do you use most often when writing database applications?

       I don't write database applications:              53.4% 
       PowerBuilder                                       0.0% 
       Oracle:                                           19.0% 
       Sybase:                                            8.6% 
       Informix:                                          1.7% 
       Unify Vision:                                      0.0%
       Progress:                                          0.0% 
       Ingres:                                            0.0% 
       Three-tier (Forte, etc.):                          0.0% 
       Other:                                            17.2% 
   

8. What is the primary target operating system for your applications?

       Windows 95:                                        7.0% 
       Windows NT:                                        7.0% 
       Macintosh:                                         1.8% 
       Solaris 2:                                        56.1% 
       Other Unix:                                       28.1% 
       Other:                                             0.0% 
   

9. What was the single largest issue with the last application or script you developed?

       Eliminating bugs:                                 19.3% 
       Implementing features:                            54.4% 
       Deadlines:                                        21.1% 
       Other:                                             5.3%
   

10. Offer your opinions on the following statements

        The "Year 2000" issue is a problem at my place of work
          Agree:                                          32.8% 
          Neither agree nor disagree:                     10.3% 
          Disagree:                                       43.1% 
          Don't know:                                     13.8% 
    
        I'm developing application or scripts for use on an Intranet or Internet
          Agree:                                          71.4% 
          Neither agree nor disagree:                      5.4% 
          Disagree:                                       19.6% 
          Don't know:                                      3.6% 
    
        People are developing applications with Java at my place of work
          Agree:                                          56.9% 
          Neither agree nor disagree:                      8.6% 
          Disagree:                                       27.6% 
          Don't know:                                      6.9% 
    
        I use Java or plan to use it this year
          Agree:                                          57.9%
          Neither agree nor disagree:                     15.8% 
          Disagree:                                       26.3% 
          Don't know:                                      0.0% 
    
        Java, and all Java represents, will change the software business
        as we know it
          Agree:                                          41.4% 
          Neither agree nor disagree:                     31.0% 
          Disagree:                                       17.2% 
          Don't know:                                     10.3% 
    
        Java, and all Java represents, is less important than the press
        makes it out to be
          Agree:                                          41.1% 
          Neither agree nor disagree:                     23.2% 
          Disagree:                                       26.8% 
          Don't know:                                      8.9% 
    
        People are developing applications with ActiveX at my place of work
          Agree:                                          12.1% 
          Neither agree nor disagree:                      3.4% 
          Disagree:                                       69.0% 
          Don't know:                                     15.5% 
    
        I use ActiveX or plan to use it this year
          Agree:                                           6.9% 
          Neither agree nor disagree:                     12.1% 
          Disagree:                                       72.4%
          Don't know:                                      8.6% 
    
        We follow a published software methodology (such as McCabe or Yourdon)
          Agree:                                          17.2% 
          Neither agree nor disagree:                     15.5% 
          Disagree:                                       55.2% 
          Don't know:                                     12.1% 
    

11. Which operating system are you using...

        on most of your database servers?
          Solaris 1/SunOS 4.1.x:                          17.5% 
          Solaris 2:                                      61.4% 
          HP-UX:                                           3.5%  
          AIX:                                             3.5% 
          IRIX:                                            3.5% 
          Digital Unix:                                    0.0% 
          Windows NT:                                      3.5% 
          Novell NetWare:                                  3.5% 
          Other:                                           1.8% 
    
        on most of your desktops?
          Solaris 1/SunOS 4.1.x:                          12.3% 
          Solaris 2:                                      28.1% 
          HP-UX:                                           3.5%
          AIX:                                             0.0% 
          IRIX:                                            3.5% 
          Digital Unix:                                    0.0% 
          Windows & Win 95:                               36.8% 
          DOS:                                             0.0%
          Windows NT:                                      8.8% 
          OS/2:                                            0.0% 
          Macintosh:                                       1.8%
          Other:                                           1.8% 
    

12. How many people are employed by your department?

        1 - 9:                                            13.6% 
        10 - 29:                                          35.6% 
        30 - 99:                                          32.2% 
        100 - 499:                                        15.3% 
        Not applicable:                                    3.4% 
    

13. How many people are employed by your entire organization?

        1 - 9:                                             5.1%
        10 - 29:                                           5.1% 
        30 - 99:                                           5.1% 
        100 - 499:                                        20.3% 
        500 - 1999:                                       22.0% 
        2000 - 9999:                                      27.1% 
        more than 10,000:                                  8.5% 
        Not applicable:                                    3.4% 
        I don't know:                                      3.4% 
    

14. Which best describes your primary job duties?

        Systems administrator:                            30.5% 
        Programmer or developer:                          35.6% 
        Network administrator:                             3.4% 
        Database administrator:                            1.7% 
        Systems analyst:                                   0.0% 
        Webmaster:                                         1.7% 
        Consultant:                                       11.9% 
        Systems integrator:                                1.7% 
        Other technical professional:                      1.7% 
        Other manager:                                     5.1% 
        Student:                                           1.7% 
        Other:                                             5.1% 
    

If you have technical problems with this magazine, contact webmaster@sunworld.com

URL: http://www.sunworld.com/swol-09-1996/swol-09-tools.results.html
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