Xbase++ Translates Clipper Applications to 32-bit Windows

Bernhard Steppan

Although Windows is clearly the way the world is going these days, DOS is not dead yet. Many large companies have critical DOS database applications that were written in Xbase-compatible programming languages such as CA-Clipper. Xbase++ for Windows 95/NT opens a way for these applications to move to the 32-bit world.

Xbase ++ is, apart from some functions and aliases that are not available, compatible with Clipper 5.2. Recompilation of existing Clipper source code with Xbase++ will translate your code into a running 32-bit application. In addition, Xbase++ lets you design a GUI that makes your program look like a nativ e Windows 95 or N T application. It also provides an excellent means to further enhance code using object-oriented features such as multiple inheritance.

The Early Experience Program (EEP) I tested comes with the Xbase compiler, Microsoft's help compiler, a debugger running in character mode, a GUI builder, database engines, several sample programs, and programming libraries for static and dynamic binding. For developers who want to get a feeling of the product's power, the EEP version makes a lot of sense.

However, this version includes several bugs in the GUI builder and emulator. Some GUI elements either don't look like Windows controls or don't work properly. Additionally, the GUI emulation process of the EEP version is slow.

Despite these problems, Alaska Software has developed a sophisticated tool that is easy to use and even supports multithreading. Expect the final version of Xbase++ to be released by the end of the year.

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Where to Find

Xbase++....................DM 699 for the EEP version


...........................DM 799 for the final version

Alaska Software
Eschborn, Germany
Phone:    +49 6196 95720
Fax:      +49 6196 975222
E-mail:   
100436.1375@compuserve.com

Enter 1030 on Inquiry Card.

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Xbase++

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