Hi Bernard:

> Have a look at Revolution from Runtime Revolution - it is a cross-
> platform IDE that can build executables for each platform from

exactly

> the same code. The IDE is itself written in and runs within the
> same 'virtual machine' that your executable will run in. There
> are 'virtual machines' for OS X, OS 9, Win32, Linux, Sparc, Irix,
> AIX...

Thank you for confirming this. You will note that in my original
post I already indicated Revolution "looks like a potential
winner" . . . ;-)

> It is commercial, but starts at
> something like $99 for a single platform (and the most expensive
> version is $1000).

Revolution 2.5 Studio is now $299. Enterprise is $899. The only
"critical" difference seems to be that Enterprise allows you to
switch development OS platforms at will. With Studio one needs to
make a single choice. However, Studio claims to create executables
that run on all supported platforms at no extra cost.

> The code is very readable (just about the most English-like
> code you will ever come across). It is another world from coding
> in Delphi or C++ or Java - in fact, it is a lot easier than VB.

It really does sound exactly like what I am looking for. In your
opinion, are Revolution applications reasonably fast?

> You would have to access Firebird via ODBC though...

Revolution supports native mySQL access. Perhaps they will see the
groundswell behind Firebird and soon support this platform (natively)
too!

Thanks again.


Felix