jumpboy11j

I have invented a calendar for Mars. It is called the weitian calendar (http://newmars.com/wiki/index.php/Weitian_Calendar), and I would like to write a program-Java, javascript, flash etc. To show the time/date on mars. it can be very simply shown, it doesn't matter to me but could someone tell me how I might do that?

King

Pretty much any programming language would be able to do this. I would start by learning a programming language... then go from there. I suggest learning C#; after a couple weeks you should at least have an idea of how to get started on solving this problem... at which point you might be able to ask some more intelligent questions. Good Luck!

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jumpboy11j

which would it be the easiest to solve this problem in?

King

Do you know any languages at all now? You should use what you know. Personally I would pick C#... but seeing how this is in a Java forum you could also probably get it done in Java fairly easy (personally I don't like Java).

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jumpboy11j

I am acquainted with HTML, in the most basic possible way.

Sane

Unfortunately that won't help you at all.

If you want to be able to cover the functional aspect of it, such as showing the current day, conversion of times between planets, etc... I'd learn a programming language that's simple with the syntax, and good for plain old Math. Such languages would by Python, Pascal, or something else with lots of teaching resources and a small learning curve.

If you want to make a graphical calendar, you would need quite a bit more knowledge and experience. The easiest route would be PHP or Visual Basic, but it will take a while to learn everything that's necessary.

jumpboy11j

python it is, I guess.

Sane

Good choice. I'm excited to help you with any questions you have at all.

I'd like to recommend a free online book: "Python - How To Think Like A Computer Scientist"
http://www.greenteapress.com/thinkpython/html/

This is what I always reference as a great starting point for those new to programming, and Python. It looks a little daunting, each main bullet is a chapter of the book. So this book has around 20 chapters. But, don't be scared! You would only need to read a measly 2, maybe 3 chapters to do some mathematical computations, conversions, and the likes. It won't be long before you can make some scripts that do some basic things.

If you're serious about learning this stuff, it should be no problem. I remember having fun myself reading this.

Once you want to make it look more like a usable program, again, you only need the next 3-5 chapters after that to cover it all.

Hit up the Python forum if you run into any problems. Good luck.

jumpboy11j

what would you say is the best free compiler for python?

Sane

The one that comes right with the default Python installation.

If you've installed Python, it should already be in the startup menu's Python folder, by the name IDLE (Python GUI).

It can be glitchy, but it's good enough to get the job done; it has served me well for 3 years.