Haskell for POS (business) apps

Hi all, I work in a company thath needs to develop some applications. As IT Manager, I'm on the decision to choose language and platforms. For the moment, We are developing a POS system. The first prototype is beeing developed under Windev(1), but, I would like to move to opensource options as soon as posible. For this reason I'm here. I'm looking to all this languages thath take my attention to take a look, and I'm very curious about Haskell, for this I would like to learn a little about it. For our projects, we will need database access (RDBMS or Objects database), reports, serial ports access to communicate with external devices (serial display, ticket printers, cash drawers, and so on..)..web services..well...all thath a POS application will need. I would like to develop for it too, a Desktop and Web BackOffice, some application to take orders (PocketPC, Android) and so on..It suppose, all of this, will work under Linux or Windows (it's decision of my customers), and I would like to do it like a chameleon, to adapt to many type of customers as possible. Then, my main question is: I know (suppose), with Haskell you can develop whath you want, and I readed Scala is a good option, but I don't like the idea of depend of JVM, and Haskell do native executables. Is worth the effort for this type of applications? There are libs for this things? It's easy to maintain large projects? Sorry for my english and lack of knowledge :S PD: I come from a Delphi and Smalltalk background. (1)http://www.windev.com

2010/9/12
For the moment, We are developing a POS system. The first prototype is beeing developed under Windev(1), but, I would like to move to opensource
I have developped a POS system under Windev. Developping in Haskell for this project was unfortunately not an option for me; however maybe I can help you with a few answers : - There are libraries for database access, for example HDBC or Takusen. I have used HDBC-mysql with no problems so far - We accessed a serial display, a ticket printer and a cash drawer using OPOS drivers which are unfortunately a Windows only thing. I don't think there's an OPOS binding for Haskell, so you're left with two options: * develop such a binding yourself, * find a way to access the devices directly. - There's no problem to code web services in Haskell. There's many networking libraries, web frameworks, etc. - Windev has many shortcomings especially compared to Haskell, but one thing it's good at, is quickly doing user interfaces. In Haskell, the UI will IMHO require more work in Haskell. That being said, I've never designed large UIs in Haskell, so maybe with experience it
Then, my main question is: I know (suppose), with Haskell you can develop whath you want, and I readed Scala is a good option, but I don't like the idea of depend of JVM, and Haskell do native executables. Is worth the effort for this type of applications? There are libs for this things? It's easy to maintain large projects?
Sorry for my english and lack of knowledge :S
PD: I come from a Delphi and Smalltalk background.
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Sorry, message sent by mistake, here's the end:
- Windev has many shortcomings especially compared to Haskell, but one thing it's good at, is quickly doing user interfaces. In Haskell, the UI will IMHO require more work in Haskell. That being said, I've never designed large UIs in Haskell, so maybe with experience it
... becomes easier/faster. David.

Hi David, On Lunes 13 Septiembre 2010 10:54:15 usted escribió:
2010/9/12
: For the moment, We are developing a POS system. The first prototype is beeing developed under Windev(1), but, I would like to move to opensource
I have developped a POS system under Windev. Developping in Haskell for this project was unfortunately not an option for me; however maybe
Why wasn't an option? What problems did you found?
I can help you with a few answers :
- There are libraries for database access, for example HDBC or Takusen. I have used HDBC-mysql with no problems so far
- We accessed a serial display, a ticket printer and a cash drawer using OPOS drivers which are unfortunately a Windows only thing. I don't think there's an OPOS binding for Haskell, so you're left with two options: * develop such a binding yourself, * find a way to access the devices directly.
- There's no problem to code web services in Haskell. There's many networking libraries, web frameworks, etc.
I will take a look...
- Windev has many shortcomings especially compared to Haskell, but one thing it's good at, is quickly doing user interfaces. In Haskell, the UI will IMHO require more work in Haskell. That being said, I've never designed large UIs in Haskell, so maybe with experience it
Well, I like a lot Windev, Is very fast to get something usable and prototype, but: 1.- It forces me to develop from Windows. 2.- Is not fully cross-platform 3.- Bugfixes and improvements comes with new licenses (more money) I need develop and deploy from/to Windows-Linux-Mac, and if possible, Android- Windows Mobile..

2010/9/13 Giuseppe Luigi Punzi
Hi David,
On Lunes 13 Septiembre 2010 10:54:15 usted escribió:
2010/9/12
: For the moment, We are developing a POS system. The first prototype is beeing developed under Windev(1), but, I would like to move to opensource
I have developped a POS system under Windev. Developping in Haskell for this project was unfortunately not an option for me; however maybe
Why wasn't an option? What problems did you found?
No problems at all, I was required by my hierarchy to do it in Windev and had no say in that choice. The only way I can use Haskell at work at the moment is for small stuff.
Well, I like a lot Windev, Is very fast to get something usable and prototype, but: 1.- It forces me to develop from Windows.
My office box is under Linux, to develop with Windev I use virtualbox ( the dongle works fine )
2.- Is not fully cross-platform 3.- Bugfixes and improvements comes with new licenses (more money)
To that, add that the source code management system makes me cry. David.
participants (3)
-
David Virebayre
-
Giuseppe Luigi Punzi
-
glpunzi@lordzealon.com