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Approach Convert

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    #1

    Approach Convert

    I've been a Lotus Approach user for years but, now I need a runtime version and something that reliably networks 3-5 users easily (Appproach doesn't do this very well). The only thing I can see different about Approach is they have macros to do easy funtions. Am I going to have problem understanding xbasic?

    This will be a big commitment for me and I want to be encouraged but, with eyes open too.

    FYI- I've run already tried and run away from Paradox, Visual Dbase, Foxpro, Access, Filemaker, and 4th Dimension.

    Thanks in advance,

    Bob
    Tags: None
    #2
    RE: Approach Convert

    Ropbert,

    Welcome Home!

    I'm not an A5 expert but I can tell you that A5 has a similar function to the macros you're used to. Xbasic is the easiest of the programing languages to learn (I've tried Access & VB6 as well as Paradox).

    Better yet, you will find the help on the msg board to be 2nd to none. Help is just a few clicks away and often it comes right from the top, Selwyn Rabins. That is something no other product offers.

    Although there will be some relearning, (there was for me)you will enjoy A5.

    Ken
    TYVM :) kenn

    Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

    Comment

      #3
      RE: Approach Convert

      I agree with Ken.

      Also, I can tell you that I am forced to use Approach at the office and it drives me crazy to deal with the many limitations. (I work for the American office of the Italian division of a Swedish company - I gave up trying to change them a long time ago. If it ain't decided in Europe, it won't work.)

      I seen other engineers start from scratch with Approach and after only 2 weeks find out that Approach will not let them do what they want. Consequently, they have to work out an alternative that will get the job done but less effectively. You probably won't run into much of that with A5.

      You should find after a while that A5 is actually much more capable than Approach - especially when it comes to creating applications that a new user can operate without any need to understand how A5 works. I have a number of applications that customers are using regularly and they spend almost no time training new employees. With Approach I find that I must first train new people about how to use the basics of Approach before they can use an application effectively.

      There WILL be a learning curve but you will find that it is much easier than Access. (And, I found Access to be easier than Paradox.)

      Comment

        #4
        RE: Approach Convert

        You may not have to learn XBasic at all to do what you want.

        A5 has a variety of single step functions that you can select when you create a button (click the button, it performs the function).

        If single step functions won't do what you want, you can resort to "action scripting", a simple form of programming by selecting actions from a list.

        If that doesn't do what you want, there is a macro recorder that you can turn on to record your actions while you step through the process you wish to automate, and you can run the macro easily by attaching it to a button.

        There is something of a learning curve with A5, but a big payoff. I've tried several projects in a variety of database products (the same projects across several databases) and found Approach and FileMaker Pro come up short on features and functionality and other products demand too much of a time investment to make them worthwhile for what I need to do. Other products do have some nice features I wish A5 had, but I always return to A5 when it's time to produce serious work.

        It's too bad you're a little late to the party. Even Alpha's DOS products from v3 on could do more than Approach.

        Comment

          #5
          RE: Approach Convert

          Wow! You guys are really into this. I ordered the program today. I've read around the site and looked the other support web sites. Should I invest in the books advertised or just go with the documentation on the program's CD?

          If I get the runtime, how big is the .exe that I'll generate for a small one form database? I'm trying to make a simple entry form that will send me the info by email. The runtime is a steal compared to the electrionic forms softwares that charge you for every reader.

          Thanks again for the info

          Bob

          Comment

            #6
            RE: Approach Convert

            Since you have experience with Approach, will I have a problem with a conversion of my current data? The size is 16 databases, 44 views, 199 macros, 204 variables, over 300,000 records and the whole thing is about 120 megs in size. I'm kind of blind about the data struture of A5 because I'm used to dbase IV files.

            Thanks for any advice

            Bob

            Comment

              #7
              RE: Approach Convert

              Robert,

              I can answer the first part. Get the books. Anything by Dr. Peter Wayne is a must, lots of good stuff. You can print out the manuals from the cd but they are also available from a third party vendor at a pretty resonable price. Check the Alphasoftware web sight and you'll find the sources.

              As for your 2nd question, someone else will have to handle that.

              Have fun!

              Kenn
              TYVM :) kenn

              Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

              Comment

                #8
                RE: Approach Convert

                The basic data structure for Alpha Five is .dbf files.

                Comment

                  #9
                  RE: Approach Convert

                  Just be aware that the Peter Wayne books were written for A5 v3. Still valuable, but don't be surprised by what you get. He also runs a web site -- www.learn alpha.com that has a wealth of material for you once you get past the basics.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    RE: Approach Convert

                    The runtime doesn't create an exe it is basically the same program without the ability to create or edit any layout, operation or code. A5V4 will not directly do an email this will be added to A5V5 due to be released hopefully sometime late summer. The runtime is indeed a steal.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      RE: Approach Convert

                      Hi Robert,

                      i am not an expert either but after using Alpha4 (DOS)I was reluctant to switch to A5 but after reading some comments on the board, I plunged into it and do not regret it at all, although there is a learning curve, but after a while you will get used to it.

                      Good luck,

                      J.P

                      Comment

                        #12
                        RE: Approach Convert

                        I agree with everything else I've seen here so I won't repeat most of it.
                        But, as someone said, direct e-mail won't be available until version 5 due out later this summer. In the meantime, I've been doing some experimenting with creating HTML reports based on some comments on this board. I have created some simple ones and am now working on one that is more complex. The initial creation is taking some time but so far the results are pretty good.

                        If you have any familiarity with HTML, you should be able to create a report that generates a simple entry form quite easily. This report could then be e-mailed to anyone with a browser. (Of course, that limits it to only a few million people but it's a start...)

                        Comment

                          #13
                          RE: Approach Convert

                          By the way, when I said the complex one is "taking some time" I meant hours - not days. I've only spent 1 hour so far and I think I'm about 1/3 done. Also, this is my first attempt at creating one where various lines are different fonts and alignments. To make things tougher, I'm converting a landscape report to print portrait so it can be used easier with the HTML format.

                          Comment

                            #14
                            RE: Approach Convert

                            I guess there's another question that didn't get answered fully:

                            will I have a problem with a conversion of my current data? The size is 16 databases, 44 views, 199 macros, 204 variables, over 300,000 records and the whole thing is about 120 megs in size.
                            As someone else pointed out, the DBF files are the same so you may not need to do any conversion of data at all - just copy the Approach files to your A5 directory and use them. Actually, A5 uses FoxPro2.6 format but I've found little problem just using Approach files directly.
                            The only issue is with Memo fields. Approach allows you to use the <Enter> key in character fields but A5 does not. In A5, you must use a Memo field if you want multiple new lines of text. Consequently, you may need to do a little conversion via an append operation. If so, it's not very difficult. If you have any trouble, just post a message here or e-mail me direct if you wish.

                            As for the view and macros (scripts in A5), you will have to recreate all of them - just like you would if you changed to any other database. However, I think you will find it easier in A5 - I do! Also, you may find that you don't need 199 macros in A5. The most I've ever used is about 123 but that app has been developed over a period of 8-10 years. I created an app to handle all of a college's prospect info, student info, course definition, transcripts, book orders, and follow-up letters and it has less than 100 macros. As for the variables, I would guess that you will need to recreate them but, since I don't know exactly what yours are doing, I can't say for sure. Personally, I can't imagine using that many variables in A5.

                            Comment

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