| Visual DataFlex is a database RAD (Rapid Application | | | | rule exceptions and augmentation. |
| Development) visual studio where windows and web | | | | The advantages appear immediately: |
| database applications can be designed. | | | | 1, Data Integrity and business rule layers intertwine and |
| ~The best kept secret in database development~ | | | | you MUST validate the data (automatically generated |
| This article is meant for viewing by mid-size and small | | | | validation based on your rules) and |
| companies seeking a lower cost or more rapid | | | | synchronizetogether in order to save a record or |
| alternative to Microsoft platforms such as .NET and | | | | records. |
| VB. | | | | 2. The visual designer has the same classes for the |
| ================= Here's the Index For This Article: | | | | most part as .NET and VB but they are tied into |
| =============== | | | | database definitions and take on immediately asave |
| * Where did Visual DataFlex Originate? | | | | clear/delete/validate/find operation that does not need |
| * What advantages does it have over .NET and VB? | | | | programming. |
| * Why should I try Visual DataFlex (download eval)? | | | | The combination of these two advantages means that |
| * Who makes Visual DataFlex? | | | | your data integrity is higher, your data operations are |
| * What support would I receive from Newsgroups Or | | | | more eloquent, and also the interface (while notquite as |
| Support Groups? | | | | beautiful as .NET) is visually appealing. |
| * What's the future of Visual DataFlex? | | | | The design and deploy time from start to finish is less |
| ========================= | | | | than .NET by a estimated 40% resulting in lower cost |
| * Where did Visual DataFlex Originate? | | | | to your customer and more winning bids for you. |
| In 1981, along with DBASE2, FOXPRO, etc. | | | | * Why should I try Visual DataFlex (download eval at |
| DATAFLEX (the dos version) launched it's 2.3 version | | | | First, from the above, you can see how a database |
| for DOS, CPM, and UNIX. | | | | oriented approach is significantly easier than other |
| Because it was the highest price database engine and | | | | options. Don't download VDF to program a game! |
| development platform, and it's specs outweighed the | | | | It'sbuilt for business applications as a specialty, so if |
| competition many individuals who were | | | | that's what you are programming I suggest you give it |
| notprogrammers purchased DATAFLEX and with it's | | | | a try. |
| english like syntax became faithful followers and many | | | | Second, the VDF community is closely knit and we |
| success stories were launched. If you were | | | | publish free code and add-ons, answer questions |
| anaccountant, sales manager, or inventory analyst, | | | | immediately and with great skill on the newsgroups, |
| DATAFLEX was perfect since it was a 4GL product | | | | and youwill belong to an elite membership where close |
| and handled the interface with the database included in | | | | relationships with other developers is quite attractive. |
| thepackage automatically for you, and a winning | | | | Visual DataFlex is a transparent front end for just |
| combination of work skills and easy database | | | | about any database back end you care to use such |
| development combined to make v2.3 a highly | | | | as MS-SQL, IBM DB2, etc. |
| successful endeavor. | | | | If you are afraid of being sacked for using a |
| The packages written in this era were from experts in | | | | non-Microsoft product, please disregard this article |
| the field and while many unorthodox methodology was | | | | entirely! |
| employed, it worked! Unfortunately, like manyother | | | | * Who makes Visual DataFlex? |
| (now) Legacy Systems written for DOS became | | | | The answer is surprising. Of course, Data Access |
| more and more difficult to deploy and maintain since | | | | Worldwide of Miami FL USA makes the product, but it |
| Windows was introduced. There are many DOS | | | | is crafted largely thru suggestions of |
| DATAFLEXapplications still fueling businesses across | | | | individualdevelopers who receive personal feedback |
| the world now and most are considering: port to Visual | | | | from company representatives on our newsgroup |
| DataFlex, or port to the Web? The main concern of | | | | forum, and feedback at conventions personally. |
| manycompanies is that unique and proven code which | | | | Imagine that you toocan shape the direction that the |
| runs like lightning would be compromised by eithe of | | | | product flows and your actual bug reports are included |
| these solutions, and is generally a real concern: but | | | | with the fixes in the next release! Credit where credit |
| ofsignificantly less importance than the users perceive. | | | | due. |
| * What advantages does it have over .NET and VB? | | | | Data Access also has worldwide distributors and is a |
| Imagine you are a designer of software, and a .NET | | | | global product used in many countries. |
| solution from Microsoft is available. First, you start with | | | | *What support would I receive from Newsgroups Or |
| the user interface, and the tools to producean | | | | Support Groups? |
| interface in windows/web are highly attractive. Then, | | | | Example: If you are from New England, USA, you can |
| you have the job of writing an interface to the data | | | | join the NEDC User Group at which welcomes |
| which is a huge undertaking and requiresthousands of | | | | developers and has regular meetings inperson to |
| lines of code to produce a stable application that | | | | promote camaraderie and show tech presentations on |
| follows the specs of database table business rules, | | | | current projects by the members. |
| connections between database tables | | | | In addition, there is a Visual DataFlex newsgroup which |
| (dependencies, etc). | | | | is monitored by Data Access Tech Support to some |
| Now, Imagine you are a Visual DataFlex designer. First, | | | | degree, but the feedback comes mainly from |
| you start by subclassing the controls provided by Data | | | | globallybased Visual DataFlex developers and I |
| Access Worldwide (true windows controls) andleave | | | | personally recommend this newsgroup due to the high |
| these subclasses (based on your business name for | | | | quality support received (and given) over the years. |
| instance) completely alone and unchanged.... but for | | | | *What is the future of Visual DataFlex? |
| future use. Then, you open the database builderwhich | | | | Data Access Corp has network partners over many |
| creates datadictionaries for each and every database | | | | locations that introduce the latest features available |
| table in your project, relate the database rules to each | | | | such as SOAP, AJAX, activeX, Web Services, etc. |
| other (auto-generated) and determine howeach | | | | and isabout to launch version 12 which will look very |
| column of each table will appear, which validation will | | | | familiar to .NET developers. In addition, the ~FREE |
| apply to it, and set your business rules directly in the | | | | Personal Edition~ which includes the entire studio andall |
| CLASS for the table. | | | | connectivity kits with a 5 user limit will be unveiled at |
| See how the two approaches are completely the | | | | the next global meeting called "Synergy" in Miami |
| opposite? | | | | Beach FL in 2007. The promotion of thisproduct will be |
| Visual DataFlex centralizes on data validation, finding, | | | | largely word of mouth and this keeps the tradition and |
| clearing, deleting, and saving, and then you use the | | | | nickname of the product as ~The best kept secret in |
| Visual Studio to create the visual portion ofthe | | | | database programming~ alive! |
| program which is built on a TREE of connected data | | | | I invite you to pop open a search engine and search |
| dictionary objects (instantiated business rule layers | | | | for Visual DataFlex to see what all of the (not(fuss)) is |
| based on the classes) which can introducebusiness | | | | about! |