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Books to buy

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    Books to buy

    Does any have first hand knowledge or can recommend any particular books for A5 v5. I've covered, read all the PDF documents that come with A5.

    I currently write databases in an old DOS product (not Alpha) and have dabbled with a couple of Windows products, therefore I know the rudiments of database design, I'm just not that familiar with A5.

    What I'm trying to say is I don't want a book for beginner's, one that covers the middle ground up would be nice.

    I have seen the adverts on this web site, but do not seem to be able to make an informed choice.

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated

    Thanks

    Ed

    #2
    RE: Books to buy

    Eddie,

    Dr. Wayne's 'Xbasic for Everyone' was written for an earlier version of Alpha Five, but still holds true and remains useful. It's arranged as a series of 'lessons' each of which covers a single topic.

    His later book 'Application Programming in Alpha Five' has two major parts. In the first he covers the development of a single project (checkbook application) from beginning to end. In the second part he covers additional topics that would be useful to developers, but had not yet been discussed. It's a longer work, and was written specifically for Vers 5 of Alpha Five.

    If you haven't discovered the collection of articles at his web site, you should hustle over there and check them out. It's a treasure trove of useful tips and pointers. www.learn alpha.com is the URL.

    -- tom

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Books to buy

      Tom,

      Thanks for the info i notice that there is a book called "Learning Alpha Five:The Database for Everyone" and you can buy it bundled with "Alpha Five:Xbasic for Everyone". Is it worth purchasing the bundle?, I won't hold u to ransom over your answer we're only talking a few quid (dollars)

      Cheers

      Ed

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Books to buy

        Ed,

        I can't comment about "Learning Alpha Five...", but I would
        like to second Tom with regards to Dr. Wayne's "Application Programming in Alpha Five". Even though I've been working with A5 since version 1, I still found it useful to go through the entire book and and examples. Caveat Emptor, there are some minor mistake and omissions, but it should not be a problem for someone with experience.

        regards,
        Melvin Davidson

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Books to buy

          Eddie,

          It's been a while since I read the companion book. My recollection is that it's aimed at orienting a new user to the database management tools available in Alpha Five. i.e. how to organize, maintain, and report your data using the built in database management tools. It is not oriented towards showing you how to customize or extend the built in tools, or how to build a database application for others to drive. Its a quick read and a good way to become familiar with the wealth of built in features that are 'already programmed' for you right out of the box. One drawback... it was written for an earlier version of Alpha Five and the scope and range of built in tools has been extended even further since it was written. If you read it, and the worked through the tutorial for Version 5 (the Getting Started PDF in the Learning Center) I think you'd have a pretty solid foundation in what's available in the product without any coding or scripting.

          -- tom

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Books to buy

            Hi Ed,

            I bought the Bundle a few days ago and I recommend it. I came across things that I would not have known by just reading the standard manuals.

            The nice part is that not only is the functionality addressed but also practical examples of how to use it and the value of it in application.

            Worth every quid (dollar)

            Regards
            /Shahin
            Johannesburg - South Africa

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              #7
              RE: Books to buy

              Thanks to all of you, i'm off to buy all three books now.

              Have a great weekend

              Ed

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