Foxpro App Store

[Olaf Doschke]

This is not meant as a joke: I'd set up such an app store (literally including VFP .APPs) , I am done with the core concept already, I developed quite a simple concept for myself to install and update foxpro applications into a users C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Apps\ folder, like ClickOnce does.

Reasoning:
1. As clickonce does it, too, that can't be too wrong.
2. I can much easier update files in that folder, than in \Program Files\, it doesn't need elevated access.
2. In regard of security: I know Clickonce requires you to sign your application, so do I.
3. The only classic install remaining once is a updateandstart Executable users would need to install comparable to Apples iTunes.

I really put APPs in there, you only need to specify some startup code, in the simplest case DO your.app in configuration files (which themselves are signed).

I would - even just for the fun of it, and this is where it also could be halfways a joke - develop a webstore for VFP apps on top of this core concept, though it's a dying species and the typical VFP application is not an app in the modern sense of the word. VFP was just too early with it's APP extension :^).

I know there already are fine articles on using clickonce itself to update your app, Craig S. Boyd has also written a small updater routine for you to use for free, then there is THOR for the VFPX projects and IDE extensions, and within customer sites I myself simply use xcopy and robocopy, no need for going out to a website to download updates.

But what about leveraging synergy effects this may have? Let it only be a trusted site for VFP applications, it doesn't have to be standalone, could lower the individual costs and security efforts and also hold as a license server. And if enough developers join this also will have an advertising effect.

Would you use such a shop for your application?
Under which conditions?
Which features would you like?

Bye, Olaf.

 

[Koen Piller]

Hi Olaf,

Yes I would certainly like to make use of it, actualy I make use of FoxyPreviewer - a fine app made by Cesar, an enhancement on the default VFP Reportlisteners. FoxyPreviewer.app is updated on regular basis being open source. I would certainly favor an 'automatic' updating routine for my various applications using FP.

I will be monitoring this forum's thread for news on your project.

Regards

Jockey(2)

 

[Olaf Doschke]

You're welcome, I actually don't just think about apps for enhancing the IDE like foxypreviewer or gdiplusx, you already have thor to update that, if you don't know thor it's time to look at it in VFPX, too.

I'm targetting any application type, desktop applications, maybe it's less optimal for a complex type of application needing much information and perhaps personal assistance of the developer to setup and maintain.

You actually can compile any EXE as APP and while apps don't run with the runtime standalone, eg double clicking an app does nothing, even if the VFP runtime is installed, you can DO some.app from a startup.exe and this is the only exe you ever need to install in the safer place /Program Files/, safer regarding virus changes.

The app store would so to say also be usable for full blown applications, not only for apps in the sense of IDE libraries they are known for or supporting files as the Report...APPs.

Bye, Olaf.