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Alpha5+xxSQL vs Alpha5+DBF - Any features lost? Why NOT go SQL

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    Alpha5+xxSQL vs Alpha5+DBF - Any features lost? Why NOT go SQL

    Hello,
    I am not a full time developer, but would like to become more serious about becoming one. I have used Alpha versions 8-10 and have purchased V11.

    After reading many of the posts on these forums regarding the decision to develop for the web using the DBF backend or some flavor of SQL for the backend I'm 90% sure I'm going to go the SQL route. (Probably MYSQL)
    I see the many reasons that argue positively toward an SQL backend path. (speed, scalability etc...). I am willing to learn different ways to do things and some SQL commands.

    The last question I have that I haven't seen raised about this subject is the following:

    Is there any reason(s)
    to NOT use a SQL backend?
    (other than some amount of added complexity and perhaps it's overkill to use SQL for smaller, simpler applications with smaller amounts of data and fewer users)

    To expand the question:
    Any features of Alpha5 V11 that are not available or don't work when the backend is SQL?
    Any aspect of the xbasic language that is significantly different or not available when the backend is SQL?
    Any aspect of the built-in security system that is significantly different or not available when the backend is SQL?
    Any changes to action scripting?
    Are any features and properties of grids and dialogues no longer available if backend is SQL?
    etc...
    Any web components that no longer work?
    Do we still create sets?

    Another way to pose this question: Does Alpha5 itself, the program not the company, care what the backend database is?

    Thanks to all who have commented on this issue so many times before. I'm not really looking for super detailed responses to all these expanded questions much beyond yes or no. If all the answers are no i can proceed with SQL if many are yes than I need to dig deeper to see what the changes are and then decide.


    Kevin






















    #2
    Re: Alpha5+xxSQL vs Alpha5+DBF - Any features lost? Why NOT go SQL

    Probably my posts are included so I should respond. This is not a complete answer. But in general Alpha doesn't care if the data is coming from DBF or SQL, the same features are available. I must say that I am extremely happy having moved to SQL. Overall, it is a lot less coding where code is necessary. It IS difficult to grasp at first and I admit to have lost the skill to write new applications using DBF -- you really cannot do both.

    I'd say the most difficult aspects of moving to SQL are:
    • Xbasic syntax for data interaction is different.
    • SQL is not DBF - it does not treat data in the same way you are used to.
    • Because of above, you often have to move results (what came back from the request for data) in to a different format, like to an array or string of characters.
    • You have to get used to your database NOT being attached to your project. You never get a table-in-use error with SQL when editing components.


    If you take the time to understand the following it shows the power from SQL and how you move data in to different forms as necessary (error trapping and arguments left out.) These are what you would use in a script, none of this is required to display data in a grid.

    LONG VERSION - demonstrating changing data format
    dim cn as sql::connection
    dim rs as sql::resultset
    cn.open("::name::conn")
    name = "steve"
    vSql = "SELECT id FROM users WHERE name='{name}'"
    vSql = evaluate_string(vSql)
    cn.execute(vSql)
    rs = cn.resultset

    search_lst = rs.tostring()
    search_lst = *remove_duplicatesI(search_lst)
    search_lst = crlf_to_comma(search_lst) '== search_lst will now be something like "100,101,102..."

    vSql = "SELECT name FROM persons WHERE user_id IN({search_lst})"
    vSql = evaluate_string(vSql)
    cn.execute(vSql)
    rs = cn.resultset '== result set now contains names of all Persons where User Name was "steve"
    '==use result here...
    cn.close()

    SHORT VERSION
    dim cn as sql::connection
    dim rs as sql::resultset
    cn.open("::name::conn")
    vSql = "SELECT name FROM users INNER JOIN people ON users.id = people.user_id WHERE users.name = 'steve'"
    cn.execute(vSql)
    rs = cn.resultset
    '==use result here...
    cn.close()
    Any features of Alpha5 V11 that are not available or don't work when the back-end is SQL?
    Other way around, there are some SQL only features. I'd have to go look at the videos to know which ones. Well, you do lose all of the Operations (Operations tab) in Alpha since those only work against DBF. I have not used an Operation for several years.

    Any aspect of the xbasic language that is significantly different or not available when the backend is SQL?
    Whole language is still open except for any that deal with tables. Like all of the functions for _fetch and tbl.open() are out, because there are no DBF tables to interact with.

    Any aspect of the built-in security system that is significantly different or not available when the backend is SQL?
    Even when your app is SQL, the security can remain in DBF. If you transfer your security to SQL (preferred, but a simple process) you create Active Link tables for each security table, and the security functions (a5ws_*) still run through those Active Link tables. Also, your Users and Groups dialog in Security Config are "live" meaning they point to your active users table (abet localhost) whereas in DBF they point to a non-live copy of users directly in the project.

    Any changes to action scripting?
    If you mean Javascript action scripting, actually no change because that works in the client. Ajax Callbacks would obviously use SQL-syntax rather than DBF.

    Are any features and properties of grids and dialogues no longer available if back-end is SQL?
    None that I have seen. Connecting to SQL database is similar to connecting to DBF. You can connect to one table, or a view, same in both DBF and SQL. You can (or I can) write a much more involved data selection statement for SQL. After a while, you stop using Alpha's point and click and just enter a Select statement.

    Any web components that no longer work?
    No, components are not dependent on t he source of data.

    Do we still create sets?
    Nope. You can build Views in SQL which are the same as Sets, and base reports, etc on those views. Or you can just re-create the table relationships for each report.
    Steve Wood
    See my profile on IADN

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Alpha5+xxSQL vs Alpha5+DBF - Any features lost? Why NOT go SQL

      I have a view with a form writing to two different tables. That worked in dbf, but now I am receiving an error "cannot modify more that one base table through a join view". I guess I will have to write sql code to do what I want, instead of just saving the values in the grid.
      Richard Urban

      Grocery Delivery Software for Stores and Entrepreneurs: http://www.urbangrocery.com

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Alpha5+xxSQL vs Alpha5+DBF - Any features lost? Why NOT go SQL

        Yeah, MySql won't allow you to save a new child record in a view, whereas dbf does. This is a big P.I.T.A. and you can either use a dialog/ux and/or hand code it.
        Peter
        AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

        [email protected]
        https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


        Comment


          #5
          Re: Alpha5+xxSQL vs Alpha5+DBF - Any features lost? Why NOT go SQL

          As far as speed on a desktop, dbf is faster with alpha by far.
          It can be the other way around on a web app, but not tested here.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Alpha5+xxSQL vs Alpha5+DBF - Any features lost? Why NOT go SQL

            Originally posted by Peter.Greulich View Post
            Yeah, MySql won't allow you to save a new child record in a view, whereas dbf does. This is a big P.I.T.A. and you can either use a dialog/ux and/or hand code it.
            I dont think this is a reason to pick dbf over mysql.
            If the OP is SERIOUS about being a developer - there is no question - MySQL 110%.

            Documentation+Support of MySQL is worth the move from DBF.

            Most PHP/Websites on the net will either use MySQL or SQL Server as their back end.
            The LAMP stack is extremely popular (Linux OS, Apache webserver, MySQL, PHP) or WAMP (Windows, Apache, MySQL PHP)
            and if you ever want to branch away from Alpha (think - how many production sites are currently using alpha?) to something like PHP/ASP.NET/Coldfusion etc
            you will most likely be working with a SQL (Structured Query Language) based RDMS (Relational Database Management System) - MySQL / MSSQL SERVER / MARIADB etc

            In regards to Peter's Comment:
            You can use a parent-child grid relationship and define the primary key from the view and the child table should still work.
            I dont really think there is a good reason to use views - dialogs allow you to data bind to different tables.
            Views in mysql dont use the comprising tables indexes for lookups.

            If you need simple inserts into child - the parent+child grid is the way to go.
            For other more complicated things - custom code is usually best.

            my $0.02
            Last edited by aburningflame; 09-17-2013, 06:06 PM.
            Scott Moniz - Computer Programmer/Analyst
            REA Inc.
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            (416)-533-3777
            [email protected]

            REA INC offers consulting services, programming services, systems design, database design, third party payment gateway integration (CHASE, PAYPAL, AUTHORIZE.NET) and developer support.
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            Comment


              #7
              Re: Alpha5+xxSQL vs Alpha5+DBF - Any features lost? Why NOT go SQL

              Going one step further. There must be a reason for google to be going to mariadb over mysql. They started this last feb and are moving forward with the switchover.

              Mariadb is a drop in replacemant for mysql as noted by many of the big boys out there.

              Comment

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