The latest version of Microsoft's FoxPro confirms that Windows databases must compete with each other as well as with rapid application development tools.
Rick Dobson (Michael Levy and Dave Andrews also contributed to this story)
The next version of Microsoft's FoxPro represents a major overhaul that brings the relational database development package into the realm of RAD (rapid application development) tools. The RAD category encompasses tools ranging from dBase for Windows and Delphi from Borland (Scotts Valley, CA, (408) 431-1000; fax, (800) 408-0001) to PowerBuilder Enterprise from Sybase's PowerSoft subsidiary (Burlington, MA).
Visual FoxPro 3.0
, which is expected to be released this summer, offers capabilities typically found in RAD tools, such as event-driven programming, the ability to visuall
y create reusable components, and integrated client/server database connectivity. Version 3.0's object model supports inheritance, subclassing, encapsulation, and polymorphism. But Microsoft's (Redmond, WA, (206) 882-8080; fax, (206) 936-7329) VFP should also find renewed competition from Visual dBase 5.5 (code-named Voyager), Borland's next version of dBase for Windows, which is also slated for a summer release.
Three areas meriting special attention from VFP developers include the Class Designer, new client/server functionality, and a Visual Basic-style event model. Microsoft has extended VFP's Xbase language to let developers create objects, classes, and subclasses. You can create classes with code or use the new Visual Class Designer to create classes without having to learn the new object model's syntax. Developers can group, store, and reference custom classes from class libraries.
For client/server developers, VFP integrates the Visual FoxPro Connectivity Kit. A new Upsizing Wizard simpli
fies the conversion of VFP file-server applications into Microsoft SQL Server client/server applications. A new Remote View Wizard simplifies access to SQL back-end data. Also, views based on local tables function within VFP just like those on back-end servers, which makes the migration of a prototype file-server VFP application to a client/server application easier. New 32-bit ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) drivers shipping with VFP are faster than the currently available 16-bit versions. VFP itself is a Win32s application, which means it runs as a 32-bit application in Windows 95. Finally, welcome support for VB-style events eliminates the need to use the clumsy Read command for event-driven programming. VFP lets the programmer access the usual set of Windows events, such as a mouse-click. Developers transitioning to VFP will find many more granular events than are available in older versions of FoxPro.
An important feature for RAD tools is the ability to create Custom classes, which ease the task
of ensuring a consistent look and feel within and across applications and to guarantee consistently correct results when processing complicated business measures. VFP's Class Designer looks like a form designer, but it generates classes of reusable code. Even more intriguing, you can subclass commercial OLE 2.0 controls for specialized requirements. Microsoft's Access and Borland's Paradox do not as yet allow the creation of class constructs. The previous version of dBase, dBase 5.0 for Windows, can generate classes through its form designer and menu designer.
VFP's most obvious competitor is Visual dBase 5.5, which will be a 16-bit Windows application. Borland says this next version of dBase will offer several improvements, including the ability to save a control on a customized form as a class, which the current version cannot do. Highlights of other planned additions include performance enhancements, such as faster table browsing, more visual development tools and experts, support for such Windows
95 conventions as long filenames, the ability to embed ANSI-92 SQL commands directly in dBase instead of relying only on pass-through SQL or ODBC, an EXE compiler for distributing finished applications, support for OLE Automation, and the ability to call SQL stored procedures from dBase code.
Longtime FoxPro developers should find much to like in VFP. However, they won't find features in this version that are available in other RAD products. Some developers of client/server applications will prefer the more advanced data repository features of other popular client/server development tools. VFP also lacks features found in other client/server databases, such as the ability to back up files while the server is running.
Despite these drawbacks, the precommercial version of VFP that BYTE tested bodes as good news for FoxPro developers. No longer should FoxPro programmers have to be content with a Windows version (FoxPro for Windows 2.6) that is a mere port from the DOS version. With their RAD capab
ilities and improved client/server features, the new versions of these Windows databases exemplify an evolution from a desktop and small workgroup focus to much better support for enterprise database needs.
VISUAL WINDOWS DATABASES AT A GLANCE
Borland says a new 32-bit version of Paradox will ship within 90 days
of Windows 95's commercial release and will support OLE controls.
Visual dBase 5.5 has been demonstrated under the code name of
Voyager. All four products support OLE Automation.
VISUAL FOXPRO 3.0 VISUAL DBASE 5.5
CLASSES Can create custom classes Can create classes and
and subclasses in code and subclasses through visual
visually with a class designer designers
CLIENT/SERVER Upsizing Tool and Remote SQL Links to Oracle, Sybase,
View Wizard for ODBC- InterBase, and MS SQL
compliant SQL databases Server; O
DBC drivers
DBASE FOR DOS Opens and joins with dBase Runs dBase for DOS
COMPATIBILITY tables (reads native dBase, applications in command
converts to FoxPro format) window
OLE SUPPORT OLE 2 client OLE 1 client
MACROS Records keystroke macros None
from user interface and
attaches to function keys
ACCESS 2.0 PARADOX 5
CLASSES Cannot create custom classes Cannot create custom classes.
CLIENT/SERVER Upsizing and Browse Tools SQL Links to Oracle, Sybase,
for Access-to-SQL Server MS SQL Server, Informix,
table conversion; ODBC drivers InterBase;ODBC drivers
DBASE FOR DOS Opens and joins with dBase Opens and joins with dBase
COMPATIBILITY tables through ODBC tables through Borland
database engine
OLE
SUPPORT OLE 2 client OLE 2 client and server
MACROS Simple and powerful way for None
beginners to automate
applications
screen_link (47 Kbytes)
Visual FoxPro's Class Designer simplifies the process of constructing visual classes, such as the reportoutput class, which is a tool for controlling report output. This class contains several control classes including the text box, txtFileName. The lower portion of the screen reveals the creation of a new property for txtFileName. The properties settings sheet shows noutputoption, the op
tion group above txtFileName, set to a default value of 1.
RADical Databases
