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I'm curious

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  • Edward F. Schulz
    Guest replied
    RE: I'm curious

    Hi Cal,

    Thank you for the fast response. I would really like to convert all of
    the DOS apps to V5, the problem there is that the clients don't want to
    spring for V5 yet since it is still so new to the world, with that thought in mind some will be converted to V4 while others to V5.

    You hit the nail on the head when you say we have learned a lot since
    the A4 apps were developed, at least I have. (And still a novice at
    that.)

    I suppose I'll take the route of copying the DBF and FPT files to a
    blank folder and then create the reports and forms.

    I just got an email while responding to you for 2 more to be converted
    to V4.5. Whew! Where will I find the time?

    efs

    Thanks again,
    efs

    Leave a comment:


  • CALocklin
    replied
    RE: I'm curious

    If you use the file copy method, only the DBF and DBT files can be used by A5. Don't bother copying anything else. You might even want to convert the DBT files (memos) to the new FPT format to take advantage of RTF memos, Graphics, etc.

    If you want to convert the memo files, run a Copy operation on the table. The memos in the new table will have the FPT format. Just make sure you have a backup before you run the copy and be sure to copy both the records and the data dictionary. Then just delete the original data (not the backup!) and rename the new files to the old names.

    I would recommend two things:

    (a) Try to convert to version 5 if at all possible. There are so many things there that you will want. It will probably also be faster for you to make the conversion so, if someone is paying you for this, your time savings will probably exceed any additional cost for version 5. Also, trying to remember how things are done in two different versions could cause additional delays/frustrations.

    (b) Don't use the file copy method. Or, better yet, copy them for the structure then delete all the records and append the data AFTER you have entered all your field rules. There are two reasons for this. FIRST, appending the data will show you any data errors - and sometimes just due to ongoing programming changes, there is often much 'bad data' when converting an old app. This should be done after all field rules are in place and, since field rules often change during development, it's best if this is done near the end. SECOND, you may find that a restructure will make things work better. I don't know about you but I often find that I've learned a lot since the old app was created and end up making some fairly basic changes just to make it work better.

    Leave a comment:


  • Edward F. Schulz
    Guest started a topic I'm curious

    I'm curious

    Hi Alphateers,

    I have several older apps developed in A4V6 that must be converted to
    A5V4.5 and others to A5V5. I wonder which is the best way to approach
    conversion. It appears there is more than one way to upgrade. There
    is always 1./ the record append approach to an empty table with the same
    fields/field characteristics and 2./ copy the required files to the new
    folder. Obviously in each case the forms, reports, etc will have to be
    redone. Given that the file copy method is used, which files should be
    copied to the new A5 folder?

    All advice will be graciously appreciated,
    efs
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