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Necessary Technologies

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    Necessary Technologies

    Using A5v10.5
    If the aim is to build web apps, after Alpha5 itself,
    A: what is the next most necessary or helpful thing to know: (Xbasic, sql, java script, css for example), in order to get the most from Alpha potential. You can list as many as you like in order, first on list being most important to know.

    B: In regards to order of importance, what should a newbie attempt to learn next and what is best left to those who already know? Perhaps some knowledge is too complex or broad to get a decent working knowledge of in a resonable time. I understand nothing happens overnight, but I also don't want to spend forever before I can become productive to some degree.

    Thanks,

    #2
    Re: Necessary Technologies

    If brand new to all of it, from my experience, I'd suggest getting a decent basic understanding of relational databases before getting too far into development. I have reworked elements of my grid HTML, xbasic and Javascript, but that learning came for me by actually developing it with the genies. But having to recreate tables to be a bit more normal (and I'm still far from understanding much of those concepts) was the hardest because then I had to rewrite my queries in the grids, which affected the fields in my grid, detail and search parts, etc. Also, I regret not having done a little more with calculated columns in the tables so that when I did query something, I didn't have to calculate it in the query or using Javascript. I'm rambling now, but it also depends on your app. Very generally, SQL is for the data integrity, HTML and CSS is for the appearance, Javascript is for the user experience, and xbasic is for the process flow and automation. If you need super-flashy website with minimal data captured, maybe you don't spend as much time learning SQL...

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Necessary Technologies

      Originally posted by christappan View Post
      Very generally, SQL is for the data integrity, HTML and CSS is for the appearance, Javascript is for the user experience, and xbasic is for the process flow and automation.
      Very well said, really. In truth, Portal 6 answered his own question. IMO, you don't need to be an expert in any of these, but you do need to learn all of these at least a little. But the more you learn, the better you get (well that's an obvious statement if there ever was one). The main thing is to learn Alpha itself - and that's a lot.
      Peter
      AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

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


      Comment


        #4
        Re: Necessary Technologies

        I have found that the best approach for me is to not worry about learning the language in its entirety by the time you do that it will have morphed. Instead use the code-less builders. Become completely fluent in them. Than just start using snippets of xbasics or Java to accomplish your particular purpose.

        Than as you go start experimenting with the xbasic functions.
        Try them. Work them into whatever you are building. I got rolling just being able to add a record to a table or send an email in the grid events. Mix in a little java as you go.

        Watch all the videos (there are many within the old threads as well as Alpha's list. Stay on the message board this is a great resource. Then in a relaxed way pick up a book and read it at your leisure. I started with the mere mortal series for database design and sql. I also have the doc's book on xbasic which will give you the x basics.

        The courses that alpha U is offering sound like a great resource but I haven't tried one yet.

        Tks
        Bob

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          #5
          Re: Necessary Technologies

          Thank you gentlemen.

          Originally Posted by christappan
          Very generally, SQL is for the data integrity,

          From what I've understood going along, SQL also has a lot of procedures and functions (lets say capabilities) of it's own to work with data, perhaps faster than native Alpha. To state it clearer, some things that Alpha can do can better be handled by SQL. Am I wrong? I guess both A5 and SQL being databases, there is functionality overlap.

          When doing complex pricing formulars and mathematical calculations, which handles them best Xbasic or MySQL?

          Thanks,

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Necessary Technologies

            The strength of MySQL is selecting records blindingly fast, so the best use is finding data, inserting records, building tables and so on. The books I've read suggest applications like Alpha will handle math calculations faster. But, I don't have any data to support that...

            I use MySQL for simple calculations. For example I have a stored procedure that locates all the invoices in a job, calculates and adds up rate * quantity for all the lines to get revenue, then looks at all the work orders in that job to get all the costs, then gets gross profit and %.

            Just $5 calculator kind of stuff. If you want to calculate standard deviation, I'd go with Alpha...just my opinion.

            Pat
            Pat Bremkamp
            MindKicks Consulting

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Necessary Technologies

              Back to basics:

              After you learn to use alpha in the no-programming method(assumption that you know how to set up a db no matter what kind.

              1 read some of the posts on this forum which you are obviously doing.
              2 get familiar with xbasic because you will use xbasic in all you do with alpha.
              3 learn how to get around in the was. It is not an easy transition.
              4 make decisions based on what you read in the forum as to how you will set up your web app.
              5 dive in
              6 you will need a lot of html and depending on what you plan to do, a little java, a little CSS
              7 The hardest may be the images you use.

              I left out sql, perl, cgi, and some others. You may use one or more of several different db's. Most needed Java, perl, php(not sure it can be used in alpha yet) or whatever you need may already be written and free. Learning how to implement them along the way will continue the education.

              I just learned a whole lot about java in the past week. Check this out. I had to build a site with images that grow on mouseover. This is the test site I was using until I could get the images and verbage to be used.
              http://173.169.192.3:8080/tshirt/test.htm Maybe I will put the address here when the completed site is up and running. I don't know what the correct url will be yet. It will be hosted in Orlando, FL and is not yet done. I got the FREE java applet and all I had to do was learn how to use it, then how to change it.


              .
              Dave Mason
              [email protected]
              Skype is dave.mason46

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Necessary Technologies

                sorry - double posted
                Dave Mason
                [email protected]
                Skype is dave.mason46

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Necessary Technologies

                  Nice Job Dave,

                  One size fits all!

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