B4X is DEFINITELY the best cross-platform development tool(s) ever; but...

[LucaMs]

Since I'm tired of reading about other languages and tools that are more famous and used by SW development companies, I had a chat with one of the artificial intelligences.

First I asked it which was the most used cross-platform language. It gave some answers, including Python.
Then I wanted to experiment.

It explained to me what I should install and how. I did it, even if with difficulty, since I still have Windows 7.

To develop for mobile, however, Python also needs other tools, such as Kivy, also suggested by that AI.
AGAIN I struggled to find a Kivy version for Windows 7 but I managed.
Before testing, I asked if Kivy is a RAD and it confirmed it. MY MISTAKE: I assumed that RAD also meant "including an IDE", but it is not so, Kivy is a library, not an IDE.

Anyway I asket the AI to write a simple "Hello world", I saved the file and launched it. Well, "apparently" it is interpreted, py.exe is launched with the project-script.
So I asked it how to generate the exe and it gave me the right directions.

AT THIS POINT I asked it what I had to do to make an Android app. Here half the world collapses! You have to install another tool, "Buildozer", which would create (I hope) an .apk.
Yes, as usual I should look for a version for Windows 7; this time I didn't do it and I don't do it, since...
Buildozer doesn't run natively on Windows!!!
"Dear IA, then what should I do?"
Oh, nothing complicated or "heavy", you "just" have to use "Windows WSL".
And what xxxxx is WSL?
A "light-light" little thing:
it's a Windows feature that allows you to run a complete Linux environment directly inside the Windows operating system, without having to install a separate virtual machine or perform a dual boot (says the IA).
I can imagine how "light" it is and how many backflips to make it use who knows which of the TOO MANY Linux distributions.

After all this, there is still the fact that I have not asked it anything about iOS apps!

Despite all this hell, B4X is still not used MASSIVELY by software development companies? WEIRD.
The opinion of that IA is that...

(AI)
Your statement is a strong and personal opinion, but it does not correspond to the objective reality of the software development market. Let's analyze the key points:

B4X vs Kivy and other cross-platform languages
B4X is a suite of tools that offers three dedicated development environments (IDE) for creating cross-platform apps (B4A for Android, B4J for desktop, B4i for iOS), with a BASIC-like language and a strong emphasis on simplicity and productivity,

However, B4X is limited in its adoption in the enterprise market compared to languages like Java, Python, JavaScript, C# or frameworks like Flutter and React Native.

Most popular cross-platform languages
Companies choose cross-platform languages and frameworks mainly based on factors such as developer availability, robustness, scalability, community support and the possibility of integrating with modern technologies (cloud, AI, IoT). Python, Java, JavaScript, Flutter and React Native are much more popular for these reasons.

IDE and productivity
Having a dedicated IDE can be a productivity advantage, but it is not the only criterion for choosing. Many companies prefer to use open source tools and languages with a large community, even without a specific IDE, because this provides greater flexibility and access to a larger ecosystem.

Conclusion
There is no “best” cross-platform language in absolute terms: the choice depends on the needs of the project, the skills of the team and the company goals. B4X is a good solution for those looking for simplicity and dedicated IDEs, but it is not the most widespread or the most requested by large companies, which favor more universal and scalable languages and frameworks
.
The preference of companies towards certain languages is dictated by technical and strategic reasons, not by incompetence.

I still think that managers are really obtuse!

However, now B4J can run Python scripts, this should open their eyes!
I suppose that in the near future it will also be possible in B4A and B4i.

 

[aeric]

to buy a PC with Windows 10

You may need to buy a PC that able to install Windows 11 because Windows 10 will be end of support at 14 October 2025.
I bought a used Lenovo Thinkpad a few years ago that I make sure it met the minimum CPU model and TPM 2.0 requirements. I think the same model is now cheaper half price.

 

[Erel]

(I'M JOKING, Erel loves me very much )

True.

 

[hatzisn]

However, now B4J can run Python scripts, this should open their eyes!
I suppose that in the near future it will also be possible in B4A and B4i.

It is possible to use Python scripts immediately using the mediation of a B4J WebApp backend. But for android and objective-c, I don't know if we will see it soon enough, if ever...

(*)
If you loved me , you would raise money to allow me to buy a PC with Windows 10 (700€ should be enough), or you would give me one of your "old" PCs.

Unfortunately, here too no one loves me , in fact, some people dislike me; especially Erel! (I'M JOKING, Erel loves me very much )

Relax my friend. Everybody likes funny guys. Humor is a great "add-on" for a human being... I've had an upgrade too... As long as it has to do with the computer I will send you a private message with the link of a refurbished company here in Greece which I trust (since I had used it) and for the italian standards it is probably very cheap.

 

[LucaMs]

a refurbished company here in Greece which I trust (since I had used it) and for the italian standards it is probably very cheap.

Currently I can spend up to... 50 cents

 

[Mashiane]

One of the things that can boost b4x visibility is usage of Github for projects and forums like stack-overflow.

Ive seen some coding books written based on stack overflow responses, some with very good content.

It was @aeric , who recently taught us how to push projects to github that can be recognized as b4x projects. Also what we push there is limited to what we might consider MIT or other related licenses we prefer. So its still going to be a journey.

Are there adverts for b4x anywhere outside of what other forum members do on youtube?

 

[Erel]

One of the things that can boost b4x visibility is usage of Github for projects and forums like stack-overflow.

I agree about Github. It should be used more.

Stackoverflow is declining and I'm glad that we didn't choose to rely on it. There were several (failed) attempts in the past to add a channel there.

 

[LucaMs]

Might it be smart to consider the reasons the AI has given why B4X isn't more widely used? I mean, are those really the reasons?
Also, consider that my question was about the popularity of development languages in companies, but a product could also be very popular because it's used by millions of hobbyists.

Companies choose cross-platform languages and frameworks mainly based on factors such as developer availability

Few developers? Probably yes, but the best

community support

Ours is very good and has an excellent Erel.

robustness, scalability,

I can't evaluate these easily.

and the possibility of integrating with modern technologies (cloud, AI, IoT)

I think that as far as Cloud and IoT are concerned B4X is adequate.

 

[LucaMs]

Might it be smart to consider the reasons the AI has given why B4X isn't more widely used? I mean, are those really the reasons?
Also, consider that my question was about the popularity of development languages in companies, but a product could also be very popular because it's used by millions of hobbyists.


Few developers? Probably yes, but the best


Ours is very good and has an excellent Erel.


I can't evaluate these easily.



I think that as far as Cloud and IoT are concerned B4X is adequate.

In my opinion one of the main factors is that Anywhere Software is not a large company with thousands of employees.

 

[Cableguy]

I know facebook is declining too and is considered an "old people" network, bur i recently found a FB group about old BASIC with a very large user base.
I joined and posted about B4x... still waiting for mod approval.
Also, Redit seems to be the online mag to go for dev related "news"... definitely, I don't think anywhere software is using the online media enough to promote itself.

I know b4x has a FB page, but, being it a page, the interaction level, as well as the spread capacity are limited.
Why not create a FB Group, with one or two moderators? It would certainly be much more (inter)active and would expose b4x further.

 

[Alessandro71]

There is a B4A FB Italian group, with little or no content at all.
Every question can be answered with "just look at the forum and you'll find your answer" and even if someone would answer in the FB group, it would be waste of content that could find a better place here in the forum, where it can be retrieved when needed.
FB groups are like knowledge black holes... everything you put in there, just vanish, not to be found anymore...

 

[LucaMs]

I am convinced that it is not enough to "advertise", writing here or there, I think that AI is right.

Anyway, then try also on X and Truth (truthsocial - of the "beloved" Trump).

 

[Cableguy]

There is a B4A FB Italian group, with little or no content at all.
Every question can be answered with "just look at the forum and you'll find your answer" and even if someone would answer in the FB group, it would be waste of content that could find a better place here in the forum, where it can be retrieved when needed.
FB groups are like knowledge black holes... everything you put in there, just vanish, not to be found anymore...

I don't see FB groupes as a way of sharing knowledge, but of "advertising", being it apps created, snippets, IDE updates, new features etc...
B4X doesn't lack knowledge nor knowledge base, it lacks reach! And a well organized, well maintained social media presence could work wonders!

 

[Marc DANIEL]

You may need to buy a PC that able to install Windows 11 because Windows 10 will be end of support at 14 October 2025.
I bought a used Lenovo Thinkpad a few years ago that I make sure it met the minimum CPU model and TPM 2.0 requirements. I think the same model is now cheaper half price.

Do like me, I recently bought a Blackview MP80 Mini PC with INTEL Inside for less than 200 € and it works like a charm. You just need a keyboard, a screen, and a mouse ... I no longer use my laptop, I carry my mini PC (10 cm X 10 cm X 3 cm) around.

 

[MrKim]

Early 1980's - Worked for a company that wrote the FIRST CAD software for drawing electronic schematics. It was good and you could take the files directly to PC design software. They were small and didn't have the bucks to take it to the next level.
They found a backer and ALMOST sold it. IT would have been huge in that market.
But they backers backed out because it was written in FORTH.

 

[Cableguy]

the FIRST CAD software for drawing electronic schematics

Protel? I had a burnt Protel99SE CD until Window 10 came along, and Protel became Althium!

 

[MrKim]

Protel? I had a burnt Protel99SE CD until Window 10 came along, and Protel became Althium!

No, but I don't even remember what we called it. We made add on hardware accessories for (Redac?) CAD PC design software so we did the schematic program. We had a captive PC Design house which doubled as the beta site for what we built. I ran the CAD design group.

 

[Cableguy]

I ran the CAD design group.

WOW!!!! In the 80's cad was real magic!

 

[vecino]

I think it all depends on the name of the creator or seller of the product.
Imagine for a moment if Microsoft had created or sold B4X (B4A, B4J, etc.)
It would have killed every other competing product !!!

 

[BertI]

Currently I can spend up to... 50 cents

I imagine it should be possible to just update from Windows 7 to Windows 10 on the same PC. There will no doubt be some low cost licensing options, perhaps free too for dev. purposes... Windows 10 (the last Windows version according to MS at the time, ha, ha...) will no longer be supported but doesn't mean you can't stil use it. I still have Windows XP running in virtual machines simply so that I can still use old software to do what it can still do perfectly well without having to spend more money on new versions which do nothing better for my needs.