The LA Fox Developer Newsletter

March 1994

LA Fox President’s Column (con’t from Page 2)

easily be integrated with a custom app, and the licensing agreement allows distribution without royalties.

And since you have the source code, a look inside will illustrate data driven application design using FoxPro. Of local interest is the fact that Ken Levy's GenScrnX was an enabling technology for building the FoxFire interface. I was much more strongly impressed by the Windows version than the earlier DOS version.

Object Oriented Programming

In my quest to climb the Object Oriented learning curve, I recently read another book that Savannah Brentnall recommended, called Object Oriented Information Systems, by David Taylor. This is an updated and expanded version of his book mentioned in an earlier newsletter, and I think you will find it more informative and satisfying. While the former was a “manager’s guide” that surveyed the subject at surface level, this one has more depth on topics such as languages, methodology, object databases, and supporting tools. However, it is presented entirely at the idea level and is not a programming book - don’t expect examples or discussion about code or about specific software products that you recognize.

While I found the book informative and well written, several things were imtating. He spends too much time “bashing” current software technology - we all know it has limitations, no one thinks its totally wonderful, so just tell us about the new way that is better. He seems to assume that all software is developed for corporate business requirements, where large scale, wide scope, long term, big staff, and big resources prevail. Most of us work in situations where none of these attributes are present - its not okay to apply a complete programming staff for a year before the first payoff appears, its more like one or two people applied for several months to get a fully working, robust application into operation. This makes me wonder whether object oriented technology is really meaningful for the class of applications we typically address with FoxPro.

The author advocates a linkage between object technology and 4GL environments, but his discus-

sion is very limited and not very specific, so it’s hard to know how this all relates to today’s world (it was written in 1992) of high performance microcomputer platforms using rich development tools like FoxPro, SQL Server and PowerBuilder.

Announcements

On March 30, Microsoft will broadcast another of their DevCast technology-update satellite conferences. This time the emphasis will be database products, including FoxPro, Access, Visual Basic, SQL Server, and ODBC. This is a 4 hour live, interactive session direct from key developers at Microsoft. The claim is that they will build a client server app before your very eyes. There is no charge for this conference. You can register by calling 800 423-8883.

Microsoft has expanded their CompuServe support to include a Fox User Forum in addition to the normal Fox Software Forum. “Go FoxUser” to exchange information with the user community, and “Go FoxForum” for technical support discussions.

The International Database Interchange is a multi day, multi track conference put on by the “Advisor” magazine publishers, which covers FoxPro, Access, and Visual Basic. The agenda is similar to a Developer Conference, with technical sessions at several levels presented by top level consultants and trainers. The conference will be held in Palm Desert on April 24 through 27. Brochures are available at the user meeting, or you can get information and register at 800

438-6720.

Job Opportunity - bd Systems Inc is looking for a senior FoxPro Programmer/Analyst as a full time employee to develop and maintain several complex applications. The work involves requirements definition through development and ongoing support. Mail resume to Herb Oliver at bd Systems, 385 Van Ness Aye, Suite 200, Torrance Ca 90501.

At the April 19 meeting, we will hear a presentation by Omega Systems on their new Versions software, a very flexible, automated version control system that helps manage multiple versions of source and object files in a software development project. It includes a checkin and checkout system for team development, keeping track of who did what and when, and providing version history reporting. It works in the Windows environment and is compatible with FoxPro and Visual Basic, and apparently is also usable with SQL Server to keep track of the large variety of database objects.

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