blake_jl

Hello,

I found this forum in Google and would like to learn how to create a simple program. I have taught myself HTML and some very basic PHP to go with it and a problem at my workplace has sparked an interest in creating a computer program.

I will describe what it is the program must do, my question is what do I need to create it and what language should i do it in. Please note I have no idea. I am a complete newbie but i pick things up quickly.

Description

I am an Air Traffic Controller from Australia. I currently work at a very busy airport that doesn't have any radar coverage. Technically the hardest place to work for an Air Traffic controller in this country. Because of the lack of radar coverage we separate aircraft "procedurally". This means a text book full of separation standards based on rules using distances and times.

Sometimes this type of separation requires controllers to use a map table to draw up a diagram where we use a map and draw the two aircrafts tracks, we then add specific "tracking tolerances" either side of that track and based on those diagrams work out where the two aircraft are not in conflict (ie. separated procedurally).

This is a very simple explanation, there is more to it, but the reason i am here is because I figured why not use my desire to create a program to create an easier way to do this.

Some of the functions it would have are

1. the ability to load a map image into the program for different locations. The person enters in co-ordinates from the four corners of the map and the program can then calculates distances between points and co-ordinates within that map.

2. The ability to click and draw lines for the aircrafts tracks.

3. Have different rules within the program that can be selected for each scenario. Eg. different classes of aircraft require different tolerances. So the controller selects the aircraft category and those tolerances are applied for that aircraft.

4. After drawing the tracks of aircraft and selecting the categories for the different tolerances the person click "ok" and a diagram is displayed on the map showing where the aircraft leave and enter conflict with each other.

I have a whole load of things in my head that I'd like this program to do, but these three points I think are probably the key points.

If someone could tell me what to do next that would be greatly appreciated.

MiKuS

Personally, I would use python.

Also, it's nice to see another fellow Aussie programmer, welcome to the forums.

Grich

Damn straight.

To blake_jl: I would also recommend python, but VB is also as good.

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Dameon

Air traffic control huh. Let's hope you don't make any mistakes, which may be even more of a problem when just starting out.

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blake_jl

LOL, I'm assuming you mean If I make this program I don't make any mistakes with it?

The program wouldn't be used for separation without testing. My plan is to make it (hopefully) and then share it with my workmates for ideas on how to improve it. It would only be used initially for testing and not actually used to calculate any conflictions.

Once this phase is finished I can then look at getting it approved by the company I guess.

Haven't thought that far really. I just want to learn how to make the program and making something that is useful for myself sounds cool.

blake_jl

I wouldn't call myself a programmer yet but hopefully I learn!

Thanks

blake_jl

Ok, I'm going to Google Python and research it a bit. Remember I said newbie.

DaWei

I think you have an interesting learning exercise ahead of you, and encourage you to have at it. Just don't be surprised when mission-critical software developed without complete pre-planning and review, and not overseen by regulatory bodies, is viewed dimly.

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Sane

*shoots you for saying that*


To the original poster: I would have to agree with the others. Python would be a great choice. It is a good introductory language with a gentle learning curve. Its syntax is near English, and the standard libraries are already capable of doing many things. There is lots of documentation out there to learn with, and many people find it simple to grasp without previous programming experience. Finally, it's capable of being run on any platform, even with a graphical user interface. Not many other languages will give you all of these things together.

Programming the actual math and processing of user input will be easy with Python. But the hard part will be the GUI.

For your Graphical User Interface, you could use an SDL wrapper called PyGame to do your image loading and user-interaction, or a cross-platform GUI toolkit called wxPython if you wanted it to look like a standard Windows/Mac/Linux Application. This is a difficult task, as the learning curve is quite steep for someone new to Python. It will require more knowledge of Python, to understand object-oriented programming and some of the more capable features of Python.

Best of luck.

blake_jl

Thanks DaWei,

You are absolutely right. I won't expect anything from my company for this. The most important part for me is the learning excercise. For some reason I really enjoy coding and the problem solving it requires and I have found myself wanting more.

I often find myself trying to cut corners in the learning process in a race to the finished product. I will definately try to take my time with this one.