(tech) How should we manage different platforms?

[runphilrun]

This application runs on three different platforms: Python, Visual Basic, and Matlab.

• Should we consolidate all operations to one platform?
• Should each platform have a different fork?

[Beaudidly]

What is the goal of the various platforms? Do they all serve the same purpose? If not, then I think different repositories for each would be the best way to keep the project uncluttered.

If you want to have multiple views (think MVC) for an application, you don't need to rewrite the model and the controller. You'd have the same core functionality, but just displaying it differently (command line/GUI). I haven't done much GUI work outside of Java, but you should be able to create a GUI with python without having to resort to visual basic.

[runphilrun]

There are a few core features that I think are necessary

• Mathematical accuracy (duh)
• Quick and easy to use, easy to try different props or nozzle dimensions
• As few barriers to use as possible. (minimize dependencies, required software, etc)

At first glance, Python seems like the best option. but it's also where I'm weakest.

It might be good to develop the math in Matlab where I'm proficient, GUI in VB where it's easy to make one, then integrating it all as one Python package in the end.