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web or desktop?

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    web or desktop?

    Hi,
    I'm new to AA. Coming from a long time MS-Access developing I searched for an alternative which also allows RAD web developing. Now I'm here and see the potential of AA. Just using the trial version I'm impressed

    So here the beginners question:
    For developing a new application for a customer what's best: web or desktop?
    I was reading around the Alpha-website but can't find the requirements for each.

    What about the desktop version? Can it be accessable via the Alpha Application Server?
    Where's to find this information?

    thx

    #2
    Re: web or desktop?

    You can access your tables via web or desktop with AA. It is just a matter of how they are hosted. Desk top can access mysql server etc just the same as the web files. I can access mysql with my desktop version from my webhost, but as they are a lynux based server I cannot do any web design with them as AA needs to operate off a windows server,
    -----------------------------------------------
    Regards
    Mark Pearson
    [email protected]
    Youtube channel
    Website

    Comment


      #3
      Re: web or desktop?

      What's best?

      For me it depends on what's best for the customer. The desktop version is the tool of choice for building database applications that are shared with multiple workstations on the client's local network. In this scenario each workstation runs a local copy of Alpha Anywhere (desktop) against a shared database sitting on a local machine. Each workstation must run Windows. Each workstation works with the actual data shared on the "server". The "web application server" is not used at all.

      In contrast, the "web" version helps you create a web based series of linked pages that are accessible using your web browser. These pages can be configured to display, create, edit, and delete database records by interacting with a client server based back-end. MS-SQL, mySQL, Oracle, etc. Your application is hosted on a "server" that users connect to using their browsers. In the completed application Alpha Anywhere (desktop) is not used at all.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: web or desktop?

        Originally posted by Tom Cone Jr View Post
        What's best?

        For me it depends on what's best for the customer. The desktop version is the tool of choice for building database applications that are shared with multiple workstations on the client's local network. In this scenario each workstation runs a local copy of Alpha Anywhere (desktop) against a shared database sitting on a local machine. Each workstation must run Windows. Each workstation works with the actual data shared on the "server". The "web application server" is not used at all.
        Let me add, with the desktop you can host the database and the alpha on a windows server and remote desktop into the server. All is on the server. You can use almost any type of computer, fast or slow, in the lan or out in the wan and speed is about the same no mater what you are using.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: web or desktop?

          Originally posted by Tom Cone Jr View Post
          What's best?
          For me it depends on what's best for the customer. The desktop version is the tool of choice for building database applications that are shared with multiple workstations on the client's local network. In this scenario each workstation runs a local copy of Alpha Anywhere (desktop) against a shared database sitting on a local machine. Each workstation must run Windows. Each workstation works with the actual data shared on the "server". The "web application server" is not used at all.
          That's the way I used MS-Access for my customers for many years. The data for most of them resides in a MS SQL Server database.
          What about the AA license for a desktop solution? Does each workstation which runs a local copy of AA need a licence?

          Comment


            #6
            Re: web or desktop?

            Originally posted by candide View Post
            That's the way I used MS-Access for my customers for many years. The data for most of them resides in a MS SQL Server database.
            What about the AA license for a desktop solution? Does each workstation which runs a local copy of AA need a licence?

            You can use the runtime on all workstations. You just need 1 developer license to design and make changes.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: web or desktop?

              Stefan,

              It is possible to use the desktop version with a client server database like MS SQL Server. However, Alpha's desktop is optimized for working with the older xbase "file-sharing" model, using DBF's formatted as Foxpro 2.6 files. Building a desktop application against a SQL back end will probably use dialogs for the user interface, instead of "forms". Forms work best with native alpha tables and sets. Almost all the tedious work of binding objects in the form to the underlying table is done for you. Dialogs in AA are built using a proprietary scripting language called xDialog.

              Comment


                #8
                Re: web or desktop?

                Originally posted by Tom Cone Jr View Post
                Stefan,

                It is possible to use the desktop version with a client server database like MS SQL Server. However, Alpha's desktop is optimized for working with the older xbase "file-sharing" model, using DBF's formatted as Foxpro 2.6 files. Building a desktop application against a SQL back end will probably use dialogs for the user interface, instead of "forms". Forms work best with native alpha tables and sets. Almost all the tedious work of binding objects in the form to the underlying table is done for you. Dialogs in AA are built using a proprietary scripting language called xDialog.
                Most of my development work has been done using Alpha's desktop version, and you seem to confirm my opinion that building databases is easier in the older format than in SQL. I am thinking of upconverting my current work to an SQL backend using the workspace upsize genie, and then building UX components on the SQL database for my projected mobile app. If this is a reasonable and doable way to proceed, my next decision is which SQL program to use. The web and mobile versions will eventually need records numbering in the millions, so scalability and speed of access are important, as is a low price to get started. The open source program MySQL offers a free download, and Microsoft's Standard SQL Server is offered for about $45. Do you have any suggestions or tips about making this decision, since I know almost nothing about the programs.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: web or desktop?

                  The only reason between the 2 is that a MySQL db can go anywhere on any platform. MsSql does not play well on any but windows server. Another is Maria Sql that is a plug in for MySQL.
                  It just depends on your use's and preferences.
                  Dave Mason
                  [email protected]
                  Skype is dave.mason46

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: web or desktop?

                    Candide I only build web. If you need to deploy locally you just run it as a Intranet. Plus any changes only have to be done once. I have many customers running Alpha 24/7 as Intranets for the inside business. Works great.
                    Nicholas Wieland
                    LedgerSuite.com Corp
                    [email protected]
                    http://www.ledgersuite.com

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