Which language should I choose for creating bots? Python or C#?

i had the same dilemma 3 years ago , i chose python. Never regretted that decision . although i got a govt. job last year and had to learn C#.

both are good languages , if you are learning your first language then python will be a great choice + it is also good for server scripting ( tough mind it most shared hosting services have disabled it , you will at-least need a vps).

pasdoy said:

This is also how I work. Take a look at atom.io

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Electron is a nice thing, but with it even the simplest app will be >50MB

WhereIsMyMoney said:

Electron is a nice thing, but with it even the simplest app will be >50MB

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Agreed, but a cdn can be used to fetch/manage static assets. I see it as a shell, for people that want a desktop app.

pasdoy said:

Agreed, but a cdn can be used to fetch/manage static assets. I see it as a shell, for people that want a desktop app.

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Using CDN in a desktop application? Are you serious? I know it works, but it makes the application very limited(usable only with Internet connection). Like... why don't you make a website instead?

It's a website already.... Atom is kinda like a local http server with a view. It gives you more flexibility because you aren't blocked by the browser. Your "website" (lets call it web app) can access file system, drivers, installed apps on desktop, etc. The CDN gives you the ability to remotely update your app as any time you want. Think about a chat app, which requires you to be connected all the time (ex: Slack). As you stated this architecture is not suited for all projects. Also multiplatform.

kevinlewontin said:

I guess I must develop bots in C# and a server-side scripting language then. I know a little bit of PHP and NodeJS. Not everything. But enough to get up and running soon. Which one do you suggest?

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C# is server side... if it's running on a server and clients make requests to that sever and then the server sends the client data.

On the flip side php can be run on the client if it's installed and application is written to run on the client.

It's not about the language it's about the programming model and where the code is running. All these language are Turing complete meaning you can write any program possible with them.

Your knowledge of programming is too low at this point to produce anything of quality. Bots in particular can be challenging. Python has some nice libraries for doing things like scraping but I'm not sure how interactive you can be with the pages. PhantomJS is really cool for writing bots in that respect.

It's really really really helps knowing various programming models well, having an understanding of some of the basic design patterns and being familiar with some basic software architectures other than 'spaghetti code'. So, definitley have a go at making a bot or two but no need to rush. Take the time to really learn the skills required first because before then I'm not sure you're going to produce a satisfactory result.

I remember in 2012 when I had just learned the very basics and I started making stuff. I thought it was awesome. Looking back in terns of architecture it was the most god awful unmanageable spaghetti monster ever. Even a year later what I was producing was only marginally better. Nowadays with some commercial experience and a proper understanding of how software is actually supposed to be put together the quality is way up.

It takes years to learn the discipline, so don't worry if you don't nail it on your first try, do have a go at it and just be motivated enough and willing to keep learning and stick with it for a good few years before you get any good.