A fun programming language for graphical application development -

i not professional programmer, , don't stand become 1 in near future. code fun, create programs i'm going use, , means graphical programs. started out java , python, past few years i've ended exclusively using javascript, because it's easy put interface in html, , api controlling display , receiving input easy (especially jquery).

however, javascript limited (no real file io, apis eg complex graphics via canvas awkward, have run in browser) , not particularly pretty or powerful language. miss more powerful features more fleshed out languages i've used (java, haskell, ada). i'm in market new language. needs makes easy build graphical applications.

can recommend high-level language, maybe scripting language, or possibly more heavy duty programming language doesn't distract more interesting aspects of development? or stuck making web apps?

option 1: .net (applies if you're interested in doing windows applications)

in contrast @branyac's answer, recommend rather skip winforms part , go straight current, relevant technologies (xaml-based)

it makes no sense start learning winforms right in 2013, because:

• it's outdated. no 1 using new projects, maintain legacy applications.
• it doesn't support deep level of customization (like can find in wpf via controltemplates.
• it not (natively) support many interesting visual features (such animations)
• it's software rendered, not support hardware acceleration, therefore many visually intensive applications impossible done in winforms.
• it doesn't expose advanced databinding features, requiring type more code , achieve less.
• it doesn't expose kind of document apis, therefore many of things might used achieve in html harder in winforms.
• it doesn't support state-of-the-art development patterns being pushed towards community in general (mvvm), again requiring more code achieve less.
• it not (natively) support ui virtualization can game changer if handle high volumes of data.

instead of having deal such limited ui technology, recommend using of xaml-based technologies microsoft has been actively developing in last 5 / 6 years, namely:

• wpf (windows presentation foundation).
  • runs on windows xp , above, requires .net framework. has full power. xaml based.
• silverlight
  • cross-platform, runs in browser, xaml based, has more limited power, has subset of wpf features.
• winrt
  • runs in windows 8 , above, xaml based. contains subset of wpf features.

the advantages of using current technologies endless, of discussed here, , on web.

in addition of above, html background in getting xaml mentality. xaml markup language html, more features. use xaml define ui in wpf , databind ui relevant viewmodels , models containing data.

the winforms approach procedural , requires lot of boilerplate code everywhere. not make easy build graphical applications.

option 2: keep going html + javascript way.