Data Based Advisor articles from September 1991

Data Based Advisor archives from September 1991

Dataline.
September 1, 1991... SAN JOSE, CA--Around the beginning of September, a start-up company, Ace software, should be shipping Ace File. The $295 Windows non-programmable database manager uses the dBASE DBF and index file formats (including MDX), making it compatible...

The other shoe has dropped. (Borland International acquires Ashton-Tate) (Editor on the Go) (editorial)
September 1, 1991... Borland International and Ashton-Tate will soon be one. More accurately, the best parts of Ashton-Tate will be merged into Borland, and A-T--the name and company--will cease to exist. Senior Editor Dian Schaffhauser explains all the facts and...

Feedback. (letter to the editor)
September 1, 1991... Setting Traps In "Data Entry Tips!" (May 1991), Brian Smith discussed a technique for developing PAL applications that involved displaying tables, entering CoEdit mode, and controlling editing functions using the IMAGERIGHTS command....

Browse objects via Viewit. (OBJECTive Software's Viewit 2.0) (Software Review) (Fast Takes) (evaluation)
September 1, 1991... Viewit 2.0, from OBJECTIVE Software, is best described as a predefined class library for Clipper 5.x which allows you to create and manipulate encapsulated database browsers (objects for browsing one or more database files). Viewit...

Databases the dB-Quick way. (Alpha Software Corp.'s Alpha dB-Quick utility program) (Software Review) (Fast Takes ) (evaluation)
September 1, 1991... Let's look at a typical developer's problem. An application you're developing is "acting up." If you're using Clipper, you've linked the debugger; otherwise, you use a product like dBUG for dBASE, set lots of break points, and keep using the...

Personal R:BASE - the first step to R:BASE. (Microrim Inc.'s Personal R:BASE relational database management system) (Software Review) (Fast Takes) (evaluation)
September 1, 1991... Personal R:BASE is Microrim's single-user, slightly scaled-down version of their relational database, R:BASE 3.1. Like R:BASE, Personal R:BASE is relational and compatible with the ANSI Level II SQL standard. Its only major limitations...

Speaking English with Speak-EZ. (Intelligence Manufacturing Co.'s Speak-EZ natural language query system) (includes related article on contributors to Fast Takes section) (Software Review) (evaluation)
September 1, 1991... Intelligence Manufacturing Co.'s Speak-EZ is a natural language query system for X-Base files. For non-programmers, Speak-EZ's purpose is to make complex database queries simple, ordinary English--i.e. you can ask for "employees with pay...

Getting inside GETs. (using Clipper 5.01) (Hardcore Clipper) (tutorial)
September 1, 1991... Clipper 5.01 implements GETs with objects. Whether you program the get objects directly or use the standard GET/READ commands, your program uses get objects. By understanding how the objects are stored and learning how to process them with...

More valid routines. (Mac Rubel's Power Tools) (tutorial)
September 1, 1991... If it seems that you can solve all your data-entry validation problems using the VALID clause with your GETs, think again. VALIDs have several problems that we need to discuss before going to any further. The standard X-Base READ will...

The importance of needs analysis. (The VAR report.)
September 1, 1991... A casual phone inquiry can sometimes be the start of something big--like Louis Monticello's call to us at Technical Edge. Monticello, Vice President and Treasurer of MMA, learned about our services from one of our clients and was interested in...

Success, failure, and FoxPro. (overview of books related to database management) (includes related article on using books to assist with programming) (Bookshelf) (column)
September 1, 1991... Welcome to my new column, "Bookself!" The more code you write, the more you can benefit from reading books. It's pretty easy to find books that are too simple, too advanced or, occasionally, just plain incompetent. The trouble is finding the...

Windows exactly. (technique to determine where windows will end up) (FoxPro Tip) (tutorial)
September 1, 1991... Many of the applications I write in FoxPro use windows. Until recently I was so tired of estimating where the window would finally be placed after designing it, I wrote an application to help design FoxPro windows. Place this command in...

List screens to printer, revisited. (Clarion Tip) (tutorial)
September 1, 1991... Here's a modified version of Randy Goodhew's April Clarion Tip. His PROCEDURE is a fine idea, except that it won't print any lines that may be in the screen. My modified version implements line drawing as well. The code is for a...

Making a variable part of a VIEW definition. (R:BASE Tip) (tutorial)
September 1, 1991... In R:BASE Version 3, I tried unsuccessfully to find a way to include a variable in a VIEW definition. My intent was to create a view that would always combine data from two tables only for the data range specified by the user. I know I can...

16 tips for developing Paradox apps. (applications) (Paradox Developer) (tutorial)
September 1, 1991... In this article you'll learn how to approach large-scale Paradox development projects. I'll show you ways to organize files into directories, determine hardware needs, and avoid performance pitfalls. I'll also discuss Relative Directory...

dBase IV Server Edition - worth the wait? (includes related article on the three biggest technical challenges in developing the Server Edition) (Client/Server Advisor) (Cover Story)
September 1, 1991... We've all read about the billions of lines of COBOL code out there and how they represent de facto job security for thousands of COBOL programmers. The fact is, folks, there's a lot of dBASE code out there, too, and some of it represents real...

Interview: what developers are saying. (Terrence Crow and Ken Sherman on dBase IV Server Edition) (Client/Server Advisor) (interview)
September 1, 1991... Why should you consider the Server Edition? What kinds of problems will you face in integrating SQL code into your dBASE applications? What hidden gems lie buried in the Server Edition? We took these questions to two beta test sites....

Finding the right recipe. (implementing client/server technology) (Client/Server Advisor; Memo to Management)
September 1, 1991... New technology fads come and go, but the momentum towards client/server computing is sure to make a stop at center stage. Considering the opportunities both for more end-user power and cost reductions, the client/server paradigm simply makes...

PowerScripting with PowerBuilder. (Powersoft Corp.'s PowerBuilder program development software) (Software Review ) (Client/Server Advisor) (evaluation)
September 1, 1991... FACTS The company: Powersoft Corporation Privately held firm based in Burlington, Mass. Founded in 1974. Major player in MRPII software arena on HP 3000. Counts on capitalizing on its knowledge of corporate America to sell...

Adventures in integration. (systems integration) (Client/Server Advisor)
September 1, 1991... Contact Information MKS Toolkit, $249 (DOS), $349 (OS/2) Mortice Kern Systems, Inc., 35 King St. North, Waterloo, ON N2J 2W9, Canada, (519) 884-2251. Hamilton C Shell, $350 Hamilton Laboratories, 13 Old Farm Road, Wayland, MA...

Visual Basic meets SQL Server. (using Visual Basic as a development platform for Windows client applications) (includes related articles on Visual Basic) (Client/Server Advisor) (tutorial)
September 1, 1991... FACTS Visual Basic Library for SQL Server SDK 1.0, $495 (includes 176-page VBSQL manual and Visual Basic) Visual Basic, $199 SQL Server 1.11 for OS/2 $2,995 (1-10 users) $7,995 (unlimited users) Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft...

Apple enters the client/server fray. (Apple's Data Access Language) (Client/Server Advisor)
September 1, 1991... Until recently, Polaroid Corp.'s consumer customer service staff maintained all camera, film, imaging, development, and distributor information in three-ring binders. But with hundreds of thousands of service calls every year and a constantly...

Server scene. (client/server architecture products and vendors) (Client/Server Advisor) (directory)
September 1, 1991... IBM 1133 Westchester Ave. White Plains, NY 10604 (800) IBM-9291 (914) 934-4643 (International calls only) Harry Sundberg, Product Manager of Extended Services Products, is one of the people responsible for IBM's OS/2 EE Database...

Packets. (information about client/server applications development) (Client/Server Advisor)
September 1, 1991... SQL Access Group struts its stuff The SQL Access Group demonstrated multi-vendor database interoperability with a prototype of their Phase 1 technical specification. The SQL Access Group, which consists of over 40 vendors, was formed...

Training wheels keep on turnin'. (using training to increase the effectiveness of software) (includes related article on tips from trainers)
September 1, 1991... Not the '3' key on the number pad, Dirk," you intone, "press the '3' key at the top of the keyboard... No! Not the 'F3' key!... Hold on while I get your computer out of this error condition. Okay...there, let's tryit again." Once more...

Train the trainers. (includes related article on 10 helpful training tips) (Training)
September 1, 1991... Training Resources: If you're searching for basic database training, here's a list of resources for audio, visual, and computer-based training (CBT). Most companies also offer training packages for other software. American Training...

Is the end near for Mac databases? (has Windows 3.0 stymied Macintosh data base development?)
September 1, 1991... In seven years of marketing the Macintosh, Apple Computer, Inc. has sold four million computers--a paltry figure when compared with the IBM-compatible installed base of 55 million PCs. To add insult to injury, Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 3.0...

The conversion factor. (converting DOS applications to Macintosh) (Mac Master)
September 1, 1991... Now that the Macintosh is becoming more and more popular in the business world, it makes sense for many X-Base/DOS developers to port existing DOS applications to the Mac. Fox Software and Ashton-Tate both offer Mac X-Base products that make...

What our ordering and tracking system taught me about Paradox. (Case Study)
September 1, 1991... The Business Systems department of Unocal's Industrial Products Group serves three business units: polymers manufacturing, chemicals distribution, and waste-water treatment services. While each unit runs independently, all three rely on the...

Nantucket Developer Conference pushes third party. (Field Report)
September 1, 1991... PALM DESERT, CA--The timing was right. Nantucket's annual June Developer Conference, held at the opulent Marriott Desert Springs Resort, settled down to business with all the confidence of a long-time incumbent among his voters. Fix disk 5.01...

Create files on the fly! (X-Base Developer)
September 1, 1991... If a client mangles one of your files, wouldn't it be handy to have your application automatically recreate it? And wouldn't it be efficient if your program could create the DBF, MEM, report, label, and text files it needs the first time it's...

Foreign exchange. (international sales are defining the big expansion in data base management products) (International Scene)
September 1, 1991... Sometime in this decade, the United States will become a minority member of the database market. Clipper, dBASE IV, and dBXL are already selling in higher numbers overseas than at home. FoxPro, Paradox, and others are rapidly headed the same...

The ideal vendor. (the attributes vendors should have for selling products) (Opinions) (column)
September 1, 1991... Have you ever stopped to consider what you want from the vendors of your tools? I've come up with this wish list of corporate attributes. Among the most important attributes a mature PC software company should have are stability and...

Jargon-itis. (confusing jargon used to describe software products) (Opinions) (column)
September 1, 1991... I feel much better since I've decided to cut way back on using the term, "object-oriented," as in object-oriented code. I'd like to now propose that as a group, we all cut way back on using the word "granular" as well. Grape Nuts are...

The short answer. (network operating systems and operating systems) (Opinions) (column)
September 1, 1991... "So," the client asks, "what operating system should we be planning for?" Consultants are supposed to answer questions like that, you know. And sound smart about it, too. So here's the short answer. Microsoft has a hammerlock on...

Buyout! (Borland's buyout of Ashton-Tate) (includes related articles on the buyout from the dBase and Paradox perspectives) (Database Report)
September 1, 1991... The deal started casually on a warm May evening in Palm Springs. Philippe Kahn sat chatting with investment banker Jim Furneaux on the last night of Stewart Alsop's first annual Demo '91 Conference, a gathering of computer industry company...

Borland and Interbase - looking into the crystal ball.
September 1, 1991... While most of the industry's attention is focused on Borland's acquisition of Ashton-Tate, some other nuances of the mega-merger are worth noting. In particular, Borland has bought into a viable, although obscure, SQL database...

Database confidential.
September 1, 1991... Novell waits for no one! They bought Digital Research to get DR-DOS so they don't have to wait for Microsoft to get around to decently supporting the two-thirds of the LAN market that uses NetWare. Unfortunately--and this is a big but--DR-DOS...

UDCs: at your command. (Clipper's User Defined Commands) (Inside Clipper) (column)
September 1, 1991... Most X-Base aficionados agree that Clipper 5.0 is a bold move down a unique, divergent path. Nowhere is this more evident than in the area of User-Defined Commands (UDCs). UDCs are the heart of Clipper 5.0 since all of the commands that make...

Comparing the greats. (comparing data base management systems)
September 1, 1991... Apples and oranges, fish or fowl, my database manager is faster than yours... More than anything else, comparisons have been fueled by the long-awaited release of FoxPro 2.0 and the much-touted Rushmore technology. This apparently...