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How about a release?

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    #91
    Re: How about a release?

    I am looking like crazy for 2 functions in the documentation

    a function for knowing the webroot path ("d:\webroot")
    and a function for displaying the server settings

    and my question now is do they even exist. I Dont know
    the point here is that the documentation isnt that bad when you find it, but that last part is the problem "finding it" so maybe the wiki will have a better search engiene than alphas built in documentation.

    by the way ill be gratefull if someone tells me either one of this functions :D.

    Wow page 4 (is this a new record?)
    Cheers
    Mauricio

    Comment


      #92
      Re: How about a release?

      The first is Request.ApplicationRoot on this page with the rest of the request goodies: http://support.alphasoftware.com/alp...t_Variable.htm.

      The second is on this page: http://support.alphasoftware.com/alp...m_Variable.htm

      Harder to find because it is indexed under "ServerSetting" in the index.

      Look also at A5W_INFO() which is a function that returns all of the server settings on one page.

      You just need to know where to look!
      Steve Wood
      See my profile on IADN

      Comment


        #93
        Re: How about a release?

        My apologies for 'hijacking' the thread with my plea for good documentation in V10:o

        Thank you, so far ... This is my first foray on to the Alpha message board and it is clear there is a wealth of knowledge here and lots of people who are passionate about Alpha. There seems to be general agreement that 'the documentation' needs updating in one form or another and many good suggestions made by people who clearly care.

        I see three basic needs emerging:

        1 A general collation of all Alpha knowledge into a single searchable place. Alpha have already addressed this for V10 with the new Wiki plan. I look forward to seeing it.

        2 For experienced developers and new users getting beyond the most basic learning phase, the core help file data has slightly gone to seed. It apparently needs a good spring clean and re-indexing. As I see it only Alpha can do this? Perhaps if v10 is a success they will have the resource to take this on? (Steve - I have just finished sorting out my late father-in-law's workshops with over 40 years worth of vintage car clutter and tools, a job I had put off for three years Finally I just bought a whole load of new shelves, pulled it all out, and then spent a week or two collating, binning and putting it back one garage bay at a time. VERY satisfying)

        3 For both complete beginners and people coming from other development tools, there is a real need for a new Alpha Five v10 for dummies book. Which I see that Richard has quickly asked for someone (on here?) to take on. This was the first thing I looked to buy when considering Alpha, and it nearly put me off when it didn't exist.

        I guess these will be too late for me so I'll just plug on, put some hours in and see how far my old brain can take me. I know now there is this excellent forum for when I get into a pickle and I don't quit easily!

        Alpha is clearly a very powerful and feature rich product. Lots of people will no doubt be buying copies because it now promises the ability to easily build powerful web apps - a hot topic and something Alpha appears to be at the market forefront of. I just think that to help 'retain' these new people and grow the Alpha developer base, a really good 'dummy' book to supplement the training videos, and, accurate relevant help files are equally as important as good Genies and accessable features.

        Back on topic - is v10 looking close now?
        Last edited by Kevin30-98; 09-14-2009, 06:14 AM.

        Comment


          #94
          Re: How about a release?

          Kevin, welcome.

          FYI all - I am trying to get a consolidated list of questions for at least one type of document, the "Top Ten How To". Please see this post and comment if you want:

          http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...ad.php?t=81621

          Also, many people new and seasoned have taken advantage of my free Friday webinar on anything Alpha related. I've had these roundtable technical discussions for about two years new on most Fridays.
          Steve Wood
          See my profile on IADN

          Comment


            #95
            Re: How about a release?

            I really haven't tried building a database using Alpha 5 but I would like to ring in on what has been said through out this thread:

            I have picked up several points:
            1. How a novice can get started using Steve Workings Courses
            2. That it is really hard to find information in the help file
            Example: I am looking like crazy for 2 functions in the documentation

            a function for knowing the webroot path ("d:\webroot")
            and a function for displaying the server settings

            and my question now is do they even exist. I Dont know
            the point here is that the documentation isnt that bad when you find it, but that last part is the problem "finding it" so maybe the wiki will have a better search engine than alphas built in documentation.

            Steve Wood's knew where to look but I tried to do it searching the key words request variable in the PDF version and you go through several examples before reaching Steve Wood's result.

            What I would like to see is the help file better organized along the lines of the top level bookmarks such as References in a stand alone file this way it is easier to add a bookmark or favorite like Steve pointed out previously. This is analogist to when people folded the corner in a book.Also a smaller file save alot faster even with a Quad processor computer. This may also help in the future for the information found under each top level topic to update that topic you have to crawl before you can walk. It is really great that the details are their now they need to be messaged.

            Steve's idea of Top Ten questions is great again you have to start somewhere. Maybe down the road it can lead to a cookbook or series of cookbooks on a variety of topics like a Church, sports team or firehouse does. to help people with the subject matter using real world examples. Like Web cookbook how to create and e-mail report or Desktop cookbook how to create bar codes. I realize I may be simplifying but I just want to give an example.

            In looking at the message board I realize there is already a database design forum and a Code Archive Forum. I will be sure to look at these as a resource.

            I hope my thoughts help.

            Comment


              #96
              Re: How about a release?

              Originally posted by Steve Wood View Post
              The first is Request.ApplicationRoot on this page with the rest of the request goodies: [url]http://support.alphasoftware.com/alphafivehelpv9/Objects
              Thanks Steve but those variables only work on the A5 WAS and I need to know the webroot path from the desktop side.

              Sorry for getting out of the main topic
              Cheers
              Mauricio

              Comment


                #97
                Re: How about a release?

                Originally posted by mmaisterrena View Post
                Thanks Steve but those variables only work on the A5 WAS and I need to know the webroot path from the desktop side.

                Sorry for getting out of the main topic
                You are looking for httpd_settings_get()

                Code:
                dim ServerSetting as p
                ServerSetting = httpd_settings_get()
                ?ServerSetting.Document_Root
                = "C:\A5Webroot"
                ?ServerSetting.Server_Port
                = 80
                'etc.
                Also Request.ApplicationRoot is not correct - the application root is not the same as the web root. For example, if you are running a LivePreview and your webroot is C:\A5Webroot, Request.ApplicationRoot would be C:\A5Webroot\LivePreview. It is determined by the location of the a5_application.a5i file for the page that is running.

                Lenny Forziati
                Vice President, Internet Products and Technical Services
                Alpha Software Corporation

                Comment


                  #98
                  Re: How about a release?

                  Ok here it goes.........:D I wrote a blog about choosing Alpha over other solutions click hereThe forum was part of that decision and as clear as my decision was regarding product and people it saw a very large help file. It was not until we started to use Alpha that the help files became an issue.

                  Knowing that an issue was discussed on the forum and the ability to "ASK" a question. Got your the answer sometimes.......from the forum was a positive. There are many good assumptions and suggestions herein about going forward with the help.

                  Richard here are a summary of the points to address with the new help:
                  • Help is old
                  • Start new help for v9-v10
                  • New Xdialog help
                  • Remove alpha sports references
                  • Break out xbasic
                  • Have function only help Examples are good and more of them the better
                  • New Ajax help
                  • New java help
                  • Better Help Software for better indexing
                  • Others as they come up


                  I am sure others maybe able to add to this list.
                  Wiki is not a good idea WHY?
                  Because if some adds to it and the answer is wrong then what have you accomplished....no trust and then you shot yourself in the foot.

                  MY NUMBER ONE COMPLAINT ABOUT ALPHA is the help files.
                  Hope this adds the correct spin on this.
                  Nicholas Wieland
                  LedgerSuite.com Corp
                  [email protected]
                  http://www.ledgersuite.com

                  Comment


                    #99
                    Re: How about a release?

                    "The Wiki is real and will be made public with the release of v10

                    The plan is to have v10 information incorporated in the wiki

                    The other benefit of the Wiki is that it is a centralized easy to search mechanism for quality content /videos/ white papers /tutorials to be hosted.

                    The way this will work is that if any member of the Alpha Community wants to post content to the Wiki - they can, after it has gone through an edit/approval step.
                    __________________
                    Richard Rabins
                    Co Chairman
                    Alpha Software "

                    On the WIKI I read it as possibly someone at Alpha is going to verifiy the content before it is added.

                    Comment


                      Re: How about a release?

                      Thank you Lenny and Steve now I got exactly what I wanted.
                      Cheers
                      Mauricio

                      Comment


                        Re: How about a release?

                        Originally posted by Mendy View Post
                        "The Wiki is real and will be made public with the release of v10

                        The plan is to have v10 information incorporated in the wiki

                        The other benefit of the Wiki is that it is a centralized easy to search mechanism for quality content /videos/ white papers /tutorials to be hosted.

                        The way this will work is that if any member of the Alpha Community wants to post content to the Wiki - they can, after it has gone through an edit/approval step.
                        __________________
                        Richard Rabins
                        Co Chairman
                        Alpha Software "

                        On the WIKI I read it as possibly someone at Alpha is going to verifiy the content before it is added.
                        YES before user generated content is added to the wiki - it will be checked
                        Richard Rabins
                        Co Chairman
                        Alpha Software

                        Comment


                          Re: How about a release?

                          Now that V10 has been released to the beta testers, where do we stand on the Wiki?
                          Brad Weaver, President
                          ComputerAid International
                          Ottawa ON Canada
                          Versailles KY USA
                          www.compuaid.com

                          Comment


                            Re: How about a release?

                            Their best help file was maybe 9-10 years ago, and written in MS Word - you could search for anything you wanted and it would find all references - of course it was also much smaller back then
                            Cole Custom Programming - Terrell, Texas
                            972 524 8714
                            [email protected]

                            ____________________
                            "A young man who is not liberal has no heart, but an old man who is not conservative has no mind." GB Shaw

                            Comment


                              Re: How about a release?

                              WHAT�S NEW IN VERSION 10 http://support.alphasoftware.com/Wha...0/NewInV10.htm

                              WHAT�S NEW IN VERSION 9 http://support.alphasoftware.com/Wha...V9/NewInV9.htm

                              WHAT�S NEW IN VERSION 8 http://support.alphasoftware.com/Wha...atsNewInV8.htm

                              ALPHA FIVE WIKI http://www.alphafivewiki.com/tiki-index.php

                              ALPHA FIVE V10 WEB APP VIDEOS (THE FIRST FEW DO NOT HAVE SOUND) http://news.alphasoftware.com/V10Preview/videos.htm

                              ALPHA FIVE V10 DESKTOP APP VIDEOS http://news.alphasoftware.com/V10Pre...uresVideos.htm

                              ALPHA FIVE V10 ANNOUNCEMNTS ON THE MESSAGE BOARD http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...splay.php?f=41
                              Richard Rabins
                              Co Chairman
                              Alpha Software

                              Comment


                                Re: How about a release?

                                Outline Of A Tutorial Under Development For V10
                                Richard Rabins
                                Co Chairman
                                Alpha Software

                                Comment

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