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Programmers: What is a good estimate on how long..

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    Programmers: What is a good estimate on how long..

    What is a good estimate of how long it would take to learn Alpha Five, Xdialog, Xbasic and then create an image database where you can browse images with a keyword and bring up thumbnails that you can then click on and get a larger photo?
    Thanks!

    #2
    RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

    Hello Donna Marie:

    As you can imagine, that's a very hard thing to quantify. But of course a lot depends upon your background. Have you worked with other database programs, are you familiar with datbase theory, and do you have any type of programming in your background.

    Anything else you feel is pertinent?

    Robert T

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

      I have a background in mainframe Stucture Language COBOL. My boss wants this done immediately, and I have been having a hard time getting through to him that this isn't a task that can be done as fast as he wants it. I figured I could maybe get some estimate from Alpha Five Users that I could show him so he won't think it's just ME that can't do it in a week or two!
      Thanks!

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

        Donna Marie,

        I have no mainframe experience at all, so I can't discuss whether or not a COBOL background will help. However, I have a student in my Alpha Five class who was a mainframe programmer in a previous life and she says that the Alpha Five interface and the way things are done are so different that she almost thinks she would have been better off having no experience. Once I show her how to do something is Alpha, she is off and running, but there is a wall that you do have to get over.

        Dave
        Dave Jampole
        www.customalpha.com

        Women and cats will do whatever they want. The sooner men and dogs realize that, the happier they will be.

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

          Thanks, Dave. That was my thought exactly! Everything is quite different! How long is it taking her to learn everything? Where are you located? What is your rate? Do you know how to create image databases with thumbnails? Thanks for any info!

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

            Not that I feel qualified to answer this exactly, but regardless, I will*. Since you are already a skilled programmer, you would obviously learn rather quickly. On the other hand, it seems that what you want to do could be done w/o xbasic or xdialog, thus speeding up the process further. However, you will have to provide your own thumbnails, as I don't believe Alpha will generate them for you. So how long? In your case you might get something up and running in a couple of days. Not a polished product mind you, but some basic functionality.

            Peter

            *Note: I have this suicidal tendency to stick my neck out.
            Peter
            AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

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


            Comment


              #7
              RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

              HI Donna
              I am a doctor and I have been criticised on this forum earlier to have dreams about becoming a developer in alpha five and I have no knowledge at all in any programming. But I am comfortable in alpha five, though at present I am zero in x basic. I just know x=c or .t. or n etc and how to dim and redim and what is assignment. I cannot design a new function , nor can i write a script in X Basic and XDialog. it all at present is going above my head. But I have not lost courage, It has taken me around 2 wks to pick up the basics of the control panel. So I hope I will reach there, soon/ I hope Robert T will support me some day for my intentions.
              Wish both us luck

              and once again compliments to the alpha five team for such a wonderful product.

              Dr ALok Modi MD

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

                It took me longer than that to learn the database! I DO have to learn x-basic in order to do the thumbnails. That's what I was told by the tech rep. I spoke with a consultant who said that it would take him 2 weeks to do the image database with thumbnails and he already knows x-basic, and Alpha Five! Two days is quite unreasonable. You must be related to my boss!!
                If you know a way to do this without x-basic, please enlighten me!

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

                  Hello Donna Marie and the Good Doctor:

                  Let me start by stating I do wish you and Dr Alok Modi MD all the luck in the world. Before coming up with a time frame prediction, let me preface that with some important comments.

                  Although Alpha Five is very powerful and has some extremely sophisticated techniques built into the product, it�s almost certainly the easiest to learn/use PC database program available. That�s the genius of Selwyn Rabins, he somehow manages to take extremely complex products and builds them so that almost anyone can use them.

                  Having said the above, there is no substitute for understanding the undelying database theory and this is where the really long-term learning curve exists. You can probably learn enough about the program and figure out most of the basics in a relatively short period of time. But understanding database theory can and will probably take much longer. For some people this can take 1 to 2 years [or longer], yes I said years.

                  However, if you have a very narrow, specific application in mind, as the one you described, learning/understanding database theory might not be as important. And the key word in that sentence is �might�.

                  If you want to do a very basic application that involves only images, you can probably bypass some of the theory for now. So can we have a drum roll while I prepare my prediction?

                  OK Donna Marie, I think you can learn enough about Alpha Five to start building your database after 2-3 months of experience with the program. I�m sure you know what this prediction is worth, but what the hell. spring time has arrived and I�m feeling good.

                  Robert T

                  Comment


                    #10
                    RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

                    Thanks, Robert, that sounds like a much more realistic estimate to learn xdialog, xbasic, and the database, then create the image database with thumbnails that will bring up a larger photo when clicking on it.

                    So, the task begins...

                    Comment


                      #11
                      RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

                      PS: It wouldn't just be for photos! I have 10 data fields as well outlining the date, address, construction defect, issue numbers, etc. Then the photo is just the last field. He wants to be able to do a browse which would bring up the photo(s) that have a specific defect, then click on each thumbnail that would then go to a larger photo. He also wants reports!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

                        Donna,

                        Remember, I didn't say learn xbasic/xdialog in two days, nor did I suggest you will learn lots about Alpha in two days. Of course not. But here is my thinking:

                        1. Focus on "create the image database with thumbnails that will bring up a larger photo when clicking on it"

                        2. Create a table
                        3. Add some fields
                        4. Save table
                        5. Look in the manuals for bitmap/jpeg stuff
                        6. Do some searches on bitmap/jpeg stuff on this board.
                        7. Ask one or two questions on this board.
                        8. By this point you probably will have learned how to link a bitmap to a field reference.
                        9. Create a form.
                        10. Figure out how to launch a bitmap from a button or hotspot.
                        11. You're done - CAVEAT: This suggests a BARE BONES "application" in 2 days.

                        No xbasic or xdialog, but some Action Scripting would be needed, but not a lot. I'm not trying to underestimate what you may ultimately have to do, but you can get some simple functionality asap. Experience is the best teacher. Jump in and do it, learn the theory as you go. If you want to learn the theory first, then put away the program and study the manuals and plethora of database books out there.

                        Best of luck,
                        Peter
                        Peter
                        AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

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


                        Comment


                          #13
                          RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

                          Ok, thanks for the help. I do plan on jumping in. My original question was however, how long would it take me to learn xdialog, xbasic, action scripting and the database and that is the question I really would like an answer to. My boss wants to know how long it will take me to learn all these as he has several assignments after this one - creating timesheets, coming up with databases to create allocation amounts, etc. Creating the image database is only the first assignment.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

                            Donna

                            I noticed that you posted a similar request about 4 months ago with the same problem. I assume you missed the 1 week deadline in January. Did you check out the suggested messages about a similar project? I think the one poster has a working solution they were willing to discuss.

                            By the way, it sounds like your boss is a prime candidate for a Dilbert cartoon - totally out in left field.

                            While this has little to do with your problem, the article in this link is very informative about the general issues of scheduling any software project.

                            http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000245.html

                            Jerry

                            Comment


                              #15
                              RE: Programmers: What is a good estimate on how lo

                              Sorry, I misinterpreted your question. In that case, I am inclined to agree w. Mr. T.

                              FWIW: I have been using Alpha since about 1992, and there is still LOTS I don't know, and never will.
                              Peter
                              AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

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


                              Comment

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