This is a technical question really but I think of general interest ...

[sasguru]

...If you were to develop a piece of software from scratch in partnership with someone else, which language would you use?
I'm thinking of issues like protecting source code, licencing issues and such like.
Am I correct that with Python (which would be my first choice) you cannot protect the source as its not compiled?
What about Java?

Of course an old timer like me would sooner use C or similar but the code needs to be developed fast.

[amcdonald]

C#

Much as I love Python, for RAD I'd go for C#

[sasguru]

C#

Much as I love Python, for RAD I'd go for C#

I know some Python and time is of the essence. I also know some Java.
Would there a sharp learning curve for C# for an oldtimer who hasn't programmed for years?

[shaunbhoy]

Would there a sharp learning curve for C# for an oldtimer who hasn't programmed for years?

In your particular case, undoubtedly. It would be akin to teaching Quantum Physics to the Ape Creatures of the Indus but with much less confidence over the outcome!

[sasguru]

In your particular case, undoubtedly. It would be akin to teaching Quantum Physics to the Ape Creatures of the Indus but with much less confidence over the outcome!

I'm going to make even more money with this project, maybe very serious money.
Meanwhile you will no doubt be pot noodling away in your decrepit cottage, wondering how to pay your next leccy bill.

[AtW]

...If you were to develop a piece of software from scratch in partnership with someone else, which language would you use?

Legal.

Make sure this partnership is on paper with all issues regarding code and other IP ownership written down and agreed before a single line of code is written.

Then you can proceed to choice of programming language and if you have to ask on some forum about it then you are not ready - go back to your eco shed and get some weeds ffs.

[amcdonald]

I know some Python and time is of the essence. I also know some Java.
Would there a sharp learning curve for C# for an oldtimer who hasn't programmed for years?

Syntactically it's very similar to Java and take out the .Net framework and you'd just think it was Microsofts version of Java (Well if you ignore the crapness of Visual J++ and pretend they never developed it)
, and if you've done any .Net development it would be a doddle

It's .Net that would be the learning curve. Your best bet is download Microsoft Express Downloads - Visual Studio Express and SQL Server Express the free versions and play around with online tutorials. Then it's only your time you can waste

[Sysman]

Legal.

Make sure this partnership is on paper with all issues regarding code and other IP ownership written down and agreed before a single line of code is written.

WHS.

How about prototyping it in Python with a view to moving it across to a compiled language later?

If the code finds its way to India or China you could find yourself with a competitor you can't sensibly sue.

[sasguru]

Legal.

Make sure this partnership is on paper with all issues regarding code and other IP ownership written down and agreed before a single line of code is written.

Then you can proceed to choice of programming language and if you have to ask on some forum about it then you are not ready - go back to your eco shed and get some weeds ffs.

I take your point re: legal.
The programming language is not really an issue provided there is a mechanism to protect your IP.

Yes I will be working from my eco shed and it won't take me years to bring the product to market either.

[AtW]

Yes I will be working from my eco shed and it won't take me years to bring the product to market either.

I am sure you can bring up product to market quick, but it will be off market even faster!

Better stick to your little dirty property spekulation.