Re: Foxpro

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Mercer" <jim(at)reptiles(dot)org>
To: "Ian Harding" <ianh(at)tpchd(dot)org>
Cc: <david(at)eclipsecat(dot)com>; <pgsql-general(at)postgresql(dot)org>
Sent: Friday, May 03, 2002 8:08 PM
Subject: Re: [GENERAL] Foxpro

> On Fri, May 03, 2002 at 10:41:09AM -0700, Ian Harding wrote:
> > At the most basic level, PostgreSQL is a client - server product, FoxPro
is not.

FoxPro is not a DB server but it can be DB client.

> > By the way this guy does not even know how to do a binary or to decode a
BCD
> > date. When I asked if it FoxPro had a binary shift he told me it had
lots of
> > keyboard funtions :(

It is true that FoxPro does not have any of the *low functions (handling
pointers, addresses, cast etc.) but it does have powerful functions to deal
with records and record sets. Some functions can be written in "C" and
imported into FoxPro if you really need that. It can be really god client.
As a server there is not dillema: FoxPro is not as DB sever at all.
It is true that you can have some kind or referential integrity and
triggers, but it works very bad (on my opinion).
I was also scared of learning PostgreSQL, but it is worth learning.

So you both might be right:

1. Make the database in PostgreSQL
2. Make the ODBC connection to that database
3. From FoxPro make the remote views that points to that database and
continue
to write client in FoxPro.

Of course, this concept have dark sides too:

1 FoxPro is running on windows only.
2 You need to buy FoxPro.
3 Foxpro is interpreter, not compliler so You going to need really
fast processor.
4 FoxPro is not wery stable application crashes wery often

The real question is: What are you trying to do :

1. Make the application running because dead line is closer every day:
Try to use postgres as DB server, FoxPro as client an you will
have results very soon
because both of you can work with the tool you know well.

2. Trying to select strategies for future projects:
Use Java, TCL, C++ with QT for example , or some other
that fits your needs and Forget FoxPro !

All of theese come from my expirience, of course someone else can think in
different way.

Best regards !