Re: Can Desktop apps be better than Web based?
"Doesn't this eleminate your ability to design, structure, restucture tables, sets, field rules, validations, transformations, lookups etc?"
Answer: G gabriel, just have in mind that SQL is a far more rich language to deal with databases. I can't think of something you can do with .dbf that you cannot do with SQL. I also can think of many advantages of backend databases that .dbf tables don't have (record locking, etc). Most SQL databases have triggers, constrains, etc. that allows you to do the same as field rules.
"You might say, I am switching to MYSQL. Then, why bother buy alpha? You don't need to buy alpha to get your users to your MYSQL."
I use Alpha because I am well versed in Xdialog and the many data manipulation functions. Alpha is not just .dbf tables. Alpha is a programming language that allows you to create front end applications with ease. Why should I learn another programming language to create front end applications?
I would like Alpha to concentrate in improving their XDialog programming, that way we can do much better and well design front end applications. If you see my application I have to use buttons as columns to be able to sort the data. The reason is I cannot create an xdialog from an array or preformatted list that includes columns (or at least I don't know how). I know you can do it with a KL or KE, but those require a .dbf
"By buying alpha, then eleminating alpha's dbf tables, you reduced alpha to a middle man between the users and the SQL tables. If that's satisfactory, so be it."
Yes,and being the middle man is a good thing for Alpha. Their XBasic language is easy to learn and has a large amount of functions. I don't think Alpha can continue to make a profit much longer if they continue to support .dbf tables only. Nowdays, everything runs in backend database servers and .dbf tables have reached the end of life (in my opinion), except for small applications. Just look around and you will see that everything is either web based or connecting to a backend database. Whoever comes with an easy language to create front end applications will make a huge profit. Alpha has the potential only if they invest in turning forms table independent and increase the capabilities of Xdialog. I still find Xdialog and Xbasic an easier language to learn then Ruby, Python, C++, or even Visual Basic.
"Doesn't this eleminate your ability to design, structure, restucture tables, sets, field rules, validations, transformations, lookups etc?"
Answer: G gabriel, just have in mind that SQL is a far more rich language to deal with databases. I can't think of something you can do with .dbf that you cannot do with SQL. I also can think of many advantages of backend databases that .dbf tables don't have (record locking, etc). Most SQL databases have triggers, constrains, etc. that allows you to do the same as field rules.
"You might say, I am switching to MYSQL. Then, why bother buy alpha? You don't need to buy alpha to get your users to your MYSQL."
I use Alpha because I am well versed in Xdialog and the many data manipulation functions. Alpha is not just .dbf tables. Alpha is a programming language that allows you to create front end applications with ease. Why should I learn another programming language to create front end applications?
I would like Alpha to concentrate in improving their XDialog programming, that way we can do much better and well design front end applications. If you see my application I have to use buttons as columns to be able to sort the data. The reason is I cannot create an xdialog from an array or preformatted list that includes columns (or at least I don't know how). I know you can do it with a KL or KE, but those require a .dbf
"By buying alpha, then eleminating alpha's dbf tables, you reduced alpha to a middle man between the users and the SQL tables. If that's satisfactory, so be it."
Yes,and being the middle man is a good thing for Alpha. Their XBasic language is easy to learn and has a large amount of functions. I don't think Alpha can continue to make a profit much longer if they continue to support .dbf tables only. Nowdays, everything runs in backend database servers and .dbf tables have reached the end of life (in my opinion), except for small applications. Just look around and you will see that everything is either web based or connecting to a backend database. Whoever comes with an easy language to create front end applications will make a huge profit. Alpha has the potential only if they invest in turning forms table independent and increase the capabilities of Xdialog. I still find Xdialog and Xbasic an easier language to learn then Ruby, Python, C++, or even Visual Basic.
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