| Visual DataFlex is a database RAD (Rapid Application | | | | validation based on your rules) and synchronize |
| Development) visual studio where windows and web | | | | together in order to save a record or records. |
| database interface applications can be designed. | | | | 2. The visual designer has the same classes for the |
| ~The best kept secret in database development~ | | | | most part as .NET and VB but they are tied into |
| This article is meant for viewing by mid-size and small | | | | database definitions and take on immediately a save |
| companies seeking a lower cost or more rapid | | | | clear/delete/validate/find operation that does not need |
| alternative to Microsoft platforms such as .NET and | | | | programming. |
| VB. | | | | The combination of these two advantages means that |
| === Here's the Index For This Article: ========= | | | | your data integrity is higher, your data operations are |
| * Where did Visual DataFlex Originate? | | | | more eloquent, and also the interface (while not quite |
| * What advantages does it have over .NET and VB? | | | | as beautiful as .NET) is visually appealing. |
| * Why should I try Visual DataFlex (download eval)? | | | | The design and deploy time from start to finish is less |
| * Who makes Visual DataFlex? | | | | than .NET by a estimated 40% resulting in lower cost |
| * What support would I receive from Newsgroups Or | | | | to your customer and more winning bids for you. |
| Support Groups? | | | | * Why should I try Visual DataFlex (download eval) ? |
| * What's the future of Visual DataFlex? | | | | First, from the above, you can see how a database |
| * Where did Visual DataFlex Originate? | | | | oriented approach is significantly easier than other |
| ================================== | | | | options. Don't download VDF to program a game! It's |
| In 1981, along with DBASE2, FOXPRO, etc. | | | | built for business applications as a specialty, so if that's |
| DATAFLEX (the dos version) launched it's 2.3 version | | | | what you are programming I suggest you give it a try. |
| for DOS, CPM, and UNIX.Because it was the highest | | | | Second, the VDF community is closely knit and we |
| price database engine and development platform, and | | | | publish free code and add-ons, answer questions |
| it's specs outweighed the competition many individuals | | | | immediately and with great skill on the newsgroups, |
| who were not programmers purchased DATAFLEX | | | | and you will belong to an elite membership where |
| and with it's english like syntax became faithful | | | | close relationships with other developers is quite |
| followers and many success stories were launched. If | | | | attractive. |
| you were an accountant, sales manager, or inventory | | | | Visual DataFlex is a transparent front end for just |
| analyst, DATAFLEX was perfect since it was a 4GL | | | | about any database back end you care to use such |
| product and handled the interface with the database | | | | as MS-SQL, IBM DB2, etc. |
| included in the package automatically for you, and a | | | | If you are afraid of being sacked for using a |
| winning combination of work skills and easy database | | | | non-Microsoft product, please disregard this article |
| development combined to make v2.3 a highly | | | | entirely! |
| successful endeavor. The packages written in this era | | | | * Who makes Visual DataFlex? |
| were from experts in the field and while many | | | | The answer is surprising. Of course, Data Access |
| unorthodox methodology was employed, it worked! | | | | Worldwide of Miami FL USA makes the product, but it |
| Unfortunately, like many other (now) Legacy Systems | | | | is crafted largely thru suggestions of individual |
| written for DOS became more and more difficult to | | | | developers who receive personal feedback from |
| deploy and maintain since Windows was introduced. | | | | company representatives on our newsgroup forum, |
| There are many DOS DATAFLEX applications still | | | | and feedback at conventions personally. Imagine that |
| fueling businesses across the world now and most are | | | | you too can shape the direction that the product flows |
| considering: port to Visual DataFlex, or port to the | | | | and your actual bug reports are included with the fixes |
| Web? The main concern of many companies is that | | | | in the next release! Credit where credit due.Data |
| unique and proven code which runs like lightning would | | | | Access also has worldwide distributors and is a global |
| be compromised by eithe of these solutions, and is | | | | product used in many countries. |
| generally a real concern: but of significantly less | | | | *What support would I receive from Newsgroups Or |
| importance than the users perceive. | | | | Support Groups?Example: If you are from New |
| * What advantages does it have over .NET and | | | | England, USA, you can join the NEDC User Group |
| VB?Imagine you are a designer of software, and a | | | | which welcomes developers and has regular meetings |
| .NET solution from Microsoft is available. First, you start | | | | in person to promote camaraderie and show tech |
| with the user interface, and the tools to produce an | | | | presentations on current projects by the members.In |
| interface in windows/web are highly attractive. Then, | | | | addition, there is a Visual DataFlex newsgroup which is |
| you have the job of writing an interface to the data | | | | monitored by Data Access Tech Support to some |
| which is a huge undertaking and requires thousands of | | | | degree, but the feedback comes mainly from globally |
| lines of code to produce a stable application that | | | | based Visual DataFlex developers and I personally |
| follows the specs of database table business rules, | | | | recommend this newsgroup due to the high quality |
| connections between database tables (dependencies, | | | | support received (and given) over the years. |
| etc). | | | | *What is the future of Visual DataFlex? |
| Now, Imagine you are a Visual DataFlex designer. First, | | | | Data Access Corp has network partners over many |
| you start by subclassing the controls provided by Data | | | | locations that introduce the latest features available |
| Access Worldwide (true windows controls) and leave | | | | such as activeX, Web Services, etc. and is about to |
| these subclasses (based on your business name for | | | | launch version 12.1 which will look very familiar to .NET |
| instance) completely alone and unchanged.... but for | | | | developers. In addition, the ~FREE Personal Edition~ |
| future use. Then, you open the database builder which | | | | which includes the entire studio and all connectivity kits |
| creates datadictionaries for each and every database | | | | with a 5 user limit was unveiled at the last global |
| table in your project, relate the database rules to each | | | | meeting called "Synergy" in Miami Beach FL in 2007. |
| other (auto-generated) and determine how each | | | | The promotion of this product will be largely word of |
| column of each table will appear, which validation will | | | | mouth and this keeps the tradition and nickname of the |
| apply to it, and set your business rules directly in the | | | | product as ~The best kept secret in database |
| CLASS for the table. | | | | programming~ alive! |
| See how the two approaches are completely the | | | | I invite you to pop open a search engine and search |
| opposite? | | | | for Visual DataFlex to see what all of the (not(fuss)) is |
| Visual DataFlex centralizes on data validation, finding, | | | | about! |
| clearing, deleting, and saving, and then you use the | | | | Peter has been developing custom database |
| Visual Studio to create the visual portion of the | | | | applications since 1982 and has migrated his |
| program which is built on a TREE of connected data | | | | development techniques thru DOS/Windows/Web and |
| dictionary objects (instantiated business rule layers | | | | oops programming specialization thru centralized |
| based on the classes) which can introduce business | | | | coding in both Window/Web and Crystal Reporting. An |
| rule exceptions and augmentation. | | | | authorized VDF technical service center instructor for |
| The advantages appear immediately: | | | | 10 years, Peter has travelled extinsively over 3 |
| 1, Data Integrity and business rule layers intertwine and | | | | continents training and codeveloping with IT staffs. |
| you MUST validate the data (automatically generated | | | | |