I'm working on a project for my parents who manage a small business and currently use a notebook to keep track of customer work orders. They want me to create a simple app that can help them manage this process more efficiently. I have some free time as I'm finishing my computer science degree, so it feels like a great opportunity to apply my skills.
The app should allow them to:
- Add new work orders with details like client name, phone number, order description, and call date.
- View all orders in a list.
- Mark orders as completed.
- Filter and sort orders by company, date, and status (completed or not).
- Save data permanently for ongoing access.
This will run on a single Windows 11 PC, so I want to keep it straightforward; there's no need for a complex setup or multi-user support. I'm experienced in Python, C++, and web development (HTML/CSS/JS), and I've dabbled in C#, though I didn't enjoy WPF. I was thinking about a local web app using Flask and SQLite, but I'm not sure if that's the best way since they'd need to run a backend each time. I've also looked into PyQt, Tkinter, or using Qt with C++. Any suggestions for the simplest, most practical tech stack for this small local app?
5 Answers
Have you thought about using tools like Airtable? It’s like a combination of Excel with relational databases—perfect for managing orders. It provides a clean UI and smart features without needing to code right away. Plus, if later you want to build something custom, you can interact with Airtable through their API. It's super flexible and can grow with your needs.
Yeah, Airtable is cool, but also look into Google AppSheet. It’s not as feature-rich but works well for basic needs and has good mobile capabilities!
Prototype using Excel or Google Sheets for now. It's less risky than building an app, and you can easily transition later if needed. Also, explore open source solutions like NocoDB or Baserow; they might fit the bill for managing the orders on a single machine!
For a straightforward approach, develop a web app using Flask with SQLite. This setup is manageable for a beginner, and you can scale it later if needed. Running the backend will be simple, especially if you set it to launch with Windows. Avoid complex desktop app frameworks unless you’re feeling adventurous!
If you're just creating a single-machine app, using SQLite for data storage is a solid choice. Even though you didn't enjoy WPF, I'd recommend giving C# and .NET another shot since they are designed for business applications like this. It'll make everything run more smoothly. Alternatively, consider Python with Tkinter; it's easier to manage than C/C++ and will keep things simple. Just don't forget a good backup plan to protect their data from hazards like ransomware or disk crashes!
Honestly, unless you’re doing this just for practice, I’d say stick with Excel or Google Sheets. They're simple and cover all the functionalities your parents need. You can sort, filter, and even create charts. If you want a bit of flair, you can use Google Apps Script to automate and enhance their experience in Sheets.
Totally agree! Airtable is a good choice, and they even offer decent mobile support. Just make sure to skip their AI app creation tutorial—it’s better to set it up manually!