Visual Dataflex Product Review

Author: Peter A Donovan

Visual DataFlex is a database RAD (Rapid Application Development) visual studio where windows and web database applications can be designed.

~The best kept secret in database development~

This article is meant for viewing by mid-size and small companies seeking a lower cost or more rapid alternative to Microsoft platforms such as .NET and VB.

================= Here's the Index For This Article: ===============

* Where did Visual DataFlex Originate?

* What advantages does it have over .NET and VB?

* Why should I try Visual DataFlex (download eval)?

* Who makes Visual DataFlex?

* What support would I receive from Newsgroups Or Support Groups?

* What's the future of Visual DataFlex?

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* Where did Visual DataFlex Originate?

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In 1981 Addison Russell Jersey , along with DBASE2, FOXPRO, etc. DATAFLEX (the dos version) launched it's 2.3 version for DOS, CPM, and UNIX.

Because it was the highest price database engine and development platform, and it's specs outweighed the competition many individuals who were not

programmers purchased DATAFLEX and with it's english like syntax became faithful followers and many success stories were launched. If you were an

accountant, sales manager, or inventory analyst, DATAFLEX was perfect since it was a 4GL product and handled the interface with the database included in the

package automatically for you, and a winning combination of work skills and easy database development combined to make v2.3 a highly successful endeavor.

The packages written in this era were from experts in the field and while many unorthodox methodology was employed, it worked! Unfortunately, like many

other (now) Legacy Systems written for DOS became more and more difficult to deploy and maintain since Windows was introduced. There are many DOS DATAFLEX

applications still fueling businesses across the world now and most are considering: port to Visual DataFlex, or port to the Web? The main concern of many

companies is that unique and proven code which runs like lightning would be compromised by eithe of these solutions, and is generally a real concern: but of

significantly less importance than the users perceive.

* What advantages does it have over .NET and VB?

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Imagine you are a designer of software, and a .NET solution from Microsoft is available. First, you start with the user interface, and the tools to produce

an interface in windowsweb are highly attractive. Then, you have the job of writing an interface to the data which is a huge undertaking and requires

thousands of lines of code to produce a stable application that follows the specs of database table business rules, connections between database tables

(dependencies, etc).

Now, Imagine you are a Visual DataFlex designer. First, you start by subclassing the controls provided by Data Access Worldwide (true windows controls) and

leave these subclasses (based on your business name for instance) completely alone and unchanged.... but for future use. Then, you open the database builder

which creates datadictionaries for each and every database table in your project, relate the database rules to each other (auto-generated) and determine how

each column of each table will appear, which validation will apply to it, and set your business rules directly in the CLASS for the table.

See how the two approaches are completely the opposite?

Visual DataFlex centralizes on data validation, finding, clearing, deleting, and saving, and then you use the Visual Studio to create the visual portion of

the program which is built on a TREE of connected data dictionary objects (instantiated business rule layers based on the classes) which can introduce

business rule exceptions and augmentation.

The advantages appear immediately:

1, Data Integrity and business rule layers intertwine and you MUST validate the data (automatically generated validation based on your rules) and synchronize

together in order to save a record or records.

2. The visual designer has the same classes for the most part as In a past newsletter, Howard Ruff described how the crocodile attack that claimed the most human lives happened on February 19, 1945 when part of the Imperial Japanese Army unit guarding a stronghold on the Burmese island of Ramree was outmaneuvered . Wholesale Authentic Jerseys   Wholesale Jerseys   Wholesale Jerseys From China   Wholesale NBA Jerseys   Wholesale MLB Jerseys From China   Wholesale NFL Jerseys China   Wholesale Jerseys China Free Shipping   Wholesale NHL Jerseys   Wholesale NFL Jerseys Free Shipping   Wholesale College Jerseys China