I'm not sure whether the second half of your post was in reply to me, or...
Anyway. Yeah Max is like a graphical language, it has a rather steep learning curve but once you are fluent you can do about anything:
- algorithmic music
- advanced control structures
- GUI elements
- etc.
There is even the option to integrate ECMAscript (javascript), java and LISP into your structures. The MSP side adds synthesis options, including oscillators, filters, (i)FFT and other goodies.
You are only limited by your imagination, knowledge and the muscles in your mouse-arm
-diskonext