I've been around databases for 25 years. I just downloaded the trial version because I have a client that uses Alpha5. The website says you guys have been doing this for 20 years. I've haven't seen any database on the market (i.e. even the simplest ones) that do not directly support a GUID (Globally Unique ID), counter, or UniqueID field data type. It should be right on the type list dropdown. No excuses for this!
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RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
Sounds a bit like you haven't spent any time with dBase or it's kin. Alpha Five uses the DBF format (actually FoxPro 2.6) and it's list of available field data types is limited by the format. There are a number of things Alpha Five has done to extend the functionality notwithstanding this limitation. May I suggest you spend some time with it before throwing more stones ?
-- tom -
RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
Apparently it will be available "real soon now"...
This is in the online web help but not functional in build 1051
API_UUIDCREATE()
Syntax
Character Unique_Hex_String = API_UUIDCREATE()
Argument
Description
Unique_Hex_String
Description
The API_UUIDCREATE() returns a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID...otherwise known as a Globally unique ID or GUID). This is a 32 character (128 bit) hexidecimal string (not including dashes) that is guaranteed to be completely unique if you have a network card. If you do not have a network card, the number is only guaranteed to be unique to the computer.
It calls the internal Win32 API function UuidCreate(). This function would be used any time you need a totally unique number such as a key value in a table.
Example
for i = 1 to 10
#? api_uuidcreate()
#next i
bbd9de2d-47e6-44f8-ae5b-8238e7d31b55
0caf734e-7d22-4cd3-8e4f-e68489f41919
20b93a4b-09ef-4a43-9f73-f3e93c5cebe2
e04fb858-116c-49f4-9a1e-328e32705975
6f35a20f-d769-4179-b8c8-930aae71cc4a
deb1298d-1b8d-4162-947a-bce3d59c8a17
There can be only one.Comment
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RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
Tom, I've been around SW Dev for 25 years. Doing GUIDs has nothing to do with the supported or "unsupported" types in DBase file formats. Its an internal thing that happens when a field of type GUID is referenced. By the way: GUIDs are stored in various ways: 1) if the database supports it they're stored as longs, if not, they're stored as strings. DBase file structs do support strings, do they not? As for the "throwing stones" comment. If your forum is only for those who say "nice" things, then why bother? You might as well call it the "Dreamweaver Forum".
Have a nice day Tom - Larry TreachlerComment
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RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
Stan, Thanks! I hope they internalize this ASAP.Comment
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RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
Larry,
I guess I misunderstood your original post. Thought you were talking about data types. Sorry.
-- tomComment
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RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
Hello Larry:
I am not commenting upon the technical merit of your comments, but on the tone of your message.
You wrote what I thought was an unusually harsh and critical message on what appears to be your first visit to this forum. Putting aside the technical merit of your comments, you came off as rude and condescending.
You could have made the same point in a friendlier, more respectful tone. I could not imagine going to a forum on another product, and being so critical and condescending in my first visit.
Any good forum is open to a variety of opinions, suggestions, and or critical analysis. Without that, it would indeed be nothing more than public propaganda for the company. But no one says you have to be condescending when making your point.
Robert TComment
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RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
Tom, what I'm really talking about is the automatic ability of the database driver to support uniqueness. The importance of "automatic" in this case is that if the developer needs to write functions to generate unique keys then the possibility exists for a screw-up, and hence, the data will get screwed up. A realtional engine, by its very definition must support automatic uniqueness features. This is the essence of my complaint about Alpha 5. They desparately need to fix these issues if their package is to be taken seriously. I not trying to throw stones, but a feature oversight this blatant needs to be discussed. I appologize for my tone in the previous post.
Thanks, LarryComment
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RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
I understand your concern and have apollogized. Thanks, LarryComment
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RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
Larry:
Your apology is accepted. Hopefully you�ll come back and let us know how Alpha Five compares to the other products you�ve used in your 25 years of experience.
Robert T.Comment
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RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
I appologize for my tone in the previous post.
Speaking personally, I don't think your "tone" was out of line. Speaking forcefully is not an offence IMHO.
PeterComment
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RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
Robert, my first 5 years were with DBase II, III, IV, Clipper, and some FoxPro. So this experience is actually a blast from the past. Currently I do .NET, Mono (linux), C++, C#, VB, Python, Perl and whatnot. It's all fun though. The only thing I can say so far is that there's alot of dialog boxes in the control panel. :-) LarryComment
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RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
Larry,
Ok. Let's start over. I mistook you for the occasional errant soul who wanders in after starting the trial version to begin immediately criticizing the product. You'll find that most of the responders here have no ties to the company and are volunteering because we think it's worthwhile, and because we ourselves received help from others along the way.
In my own work I've found the auto-increment field rule to be a useful way to establish what I think the pros call a unique key to link related tables. It's not perfect. Others have designed more elaborate approaches, and they're available here, in the code archive and at www.learn alpha.com. They're not perfect either. The principle difficulty we currently face, in my opinion, is that Alpha Five's network multi-user model employs a file-sharing approach on the server. The company is working on a client-server model and I'm looking forward to its release. I fear that until we get there we can come very very close to perfection in this area, but that's probably the best we can do.
-- tomComment
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RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
Larry:
It may a blast from the past, but if you take the time to learn Alpha Five, I think you�ll learn it is very different and much more advanced than Dbase or Fox Pro. A5 is in many ways a very unique and fascinating database program.
I see you have a little bit of experience with Linux. Can you tell us how difficult or easy it would be to port A5 to Linux?
What are your initial impressions of Net?
Robert T.Comment
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RE: Why No GUID, Counter, or UniqueID Field Data T
Peter, There's truth to what you say, but if people take offence to my manner, then I lose my voice. I don't want that to happen. Have a nice day - LarryComment
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