Alpha5 "for non-programmers". That's BS!

[Peter.Greulich]

I hear you.

[Tom Cone Jr]

Richard, there are 5 WMD's in Florida. We call them Water Management Districts. -- tom

[rfha]

Oh, Tom - you got me good that time! ;)

I'm outta here - WMD! (Watch my dust!)

[Lanny Tonning]

It's time for you to hit the books. Check out DIM and Variable Data Types and Scope.

Looks strangely like programming. Complete brain cramp has returned.

[brianp]

sorry guys, the thread moved.

[Peter.Greulich]

... on my last visit the customer took me on one side, and told me it was a "super system that did everything he wanted or needed"

We love success stories!

[brianp]

I must get on the bandwaggon, love a good discussion.

I have had a copy of Alpha software for many many years. The first on floppies (which I still have)

I have been frustrated, and (some may recall) been a touch impolite on the forum(s)

My most complex application has taken some 4 years to develop so far.

it started off as a simple database for a four-chalet holiday company, and it is now a comprehensive management system for what in probably the most prestigious holiday rental company in Southern Ireland. I still have nor finished developing it, and still have questions I will post, but on my last visit the customer took me on one side, and told me it was a "super system that did everything he wanted or needed"

I am still a Newbie in my opinion, but it is worth all the work, and I will continue using Alpha Five till they come for me.

Thanks for the ear.

Brianp

[kwparker80]

Alpha 5 Difficult?

Hey Snapper,

Since this is your first adventure into the world of database programming, I'm sure we all feel for you and understand your frustration.

However, if you want to see what database programming started out to be, compared to what A5 is today, I think I still have a copy of Dbase III somewhere I will be glad to mail to you!

Just stay off of this forum when you try to get anything done with it, I don't think we could handle the language you would spew forth after a few hours of banging your head against the monitor.

Good luck, friend!

a former Ashton Tate, Microsoft, Clairion programmer

[Fletch]

I thought "DIM" had to do with the lights or with my intelligence or lack of, as in in "dim-witted". <vbg>

[braveulysses]

Yeah, I know this is an oldish thread, but here's my contribution.

First, some basic spelling, grammar and punctuation checks would be nice in the help file. There's nothing more annoying (to me, at least) than to try to work my way through text that doesn't read 'right'. There are words that are missing letters all through the help files - that just sucks.

Second, the help files are reasonably useful - if you know which command/xscript/whatever you're looking for. That's the biggest problem. If you can look through the help and magically find the command that you think you want to use, the related documentation will (mostly) answer your questions. The big magic trick though, is finding that command in the first place. Like most help files, it's written by programmers, for programmers, and it leaves the rest of us cold.

I don't consider myself a 'blown bulb', to quote another poster, but I'm sure having a hard time getting even basic things to work. And my brother, who does do some programming, isn't having much more success. Ahh well, I've invested money and time in this thing, so I guess I'll just have to keep on battling. And asking questions.

[Tom Cone Jr]

Rob,

when you see a documentation error, or have suggestions for adding cross-references in the index, how about using some of the "steam" that's been generated to drop Ed Larrabee a quick note. He's the principal technical editor at Alpha Software and is responsible for the help file. The help file is a work in progress. It changes weekly. Sometimes daily. You will find Ed to be very receptive to your suggestions and quick to incorporate them.

-- tom

[braveulysses]

Tom,
Do you live here? Or do you just not have a life? (c: That would have to be the fastest response to a post I've ever seen!

And yeah, I will be in touch with Ed... (Hi, Ed).

Rob

[trackmanpete]

Another thought

Rob:
Working in Alpha is a different process than any other commercial database that I have used prior to stumbling onto this gem. You really need to look at it from a completely different point of view. Use Action Scripts as often as possible in the beginning and learn to copy other methods employed by the samples provided by Alpha and the great group of contributors on this site. Re-inventing the wheel is not necessary and learning x-basic is also not needed when doing basic database files, in my opinion. The more you try and use "programming language" in the beginning, the more frustrating you will become.

[Edward Larrabee]

I suggest that developers, who have a hard time finding the right function or method, scan through the topics under Xbasic Functions and Methods Listed by Type. I often find this helpful.

[Peter.Greulich]

- if you know which command/xscript/whatever you're looking for. That's the biggest problem. If you can look through the help and magically find the command that you think you want to use, the related documentation will (mostly) answer your questions.

Brave Ulysses?

But you're right, it can be hard to find the command you are looking for. But that's because there are SO MANY functions now in A5 - it is HUGE!

I suggest that developers, who have a hard time finding the right function or method, scan through the topics under Xbasic Functions and Methods Listed by Type. I often find this helpful.

And so is Ed! VERY helpful.