Request for Help

[Steve Meyerson]

To summarize, my friend needs my VFP9 program to be developed and run on the web.

Details: A few years ago I built a complex data-intensive app in VFP9 which accesses MySql on a web host. The app creates more than 40 forms based on client input (90 fields) for no-fault divorces in several states. .

My friend loves the program, but depends on me for changes & additions when they occur.

He will probably outlive me (I originally built it for his father). He wants it built on the web (PHP?) so he (and associates) can access it from anywhere. I cannot do that myself but will happily cooperate with any developer (preferably one familiar with VFP).

Note: He can list specific requirements and negotiate price with a prospective developer.

If anyone here can, or knows someone who can (and wants to), do this, I would appreciate any recommendation(s).

Thanks.

Steve

 

[Mike Lewis]

Steve,

I hope you are successful with this. It is not unusual to move VFP projects to a server-side platform, and PHP is a popular choice for that. I'm sure there are developers in the forum who will have the expertise.

A small word of warning. The management frown on the use of the forum for buying or selling services or seeking work. I know that is not exactly what you are doing. But just be sure not to conduct any actual negotiations here. And also take care not to post email addresses, as that normally results in posts being deleted.

I hope you won't mind me mentioning this.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro articles, tips and downloads

 

[Steve Meyerson]

I hope you won't mind me mentioning this

No, of course not, Mike. I appreciate your advice - in fact I'm sure you're one of several people on this forum who could do it.

FYI, a basic version of the program was originally written in PHP by a programmer who disappeared (drugs etc.) I rewrote and expanded it considerably, but didn't know PHP (wish I did) so I did it in VFP. He knows that I (or Microsoft) won't be around forever for support (not that Microsoft ever was).

I do understand this forum is not a job search. Just trying to help a friend.

Steve

 

[foxincloud]

We can help; not sure whether I can drop a contact address or not; my signature should suffice however

 

[Mike Lewis]

not sure whether I can drop a contact address or not;

No, you can't. But there is nothing stopping anyone from posting a link to the FoxInCloud website.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro articles, tips and downloads

 

[Steve Meyerson]

But there is nothing stopping anyone from posting a link to the FoxInCloud website.

Mike,

As usual, you are correct. I checked FoxInCloud, but as that name implies, I assume the result has to be a VFP program which can be run in the "cloud" (a stupid term in my opinion), but nevertheless a VFP program which will need to be supported by someone familiar with VFP (a shrinking population). I'm his only support. That concerns an old man (me).

He wants it written in PHP with support more readily available. I can't do that but I can work with a PHP person on the requirements, or even provide him/her all my source code. I suppose this is more a PHP issue than a VFP issue. Just trying to help ma friend.

Steve

 

[Mike Lewis]

I take your point, Steve. I only posted that link to emphasise that it is not necessary to post email addresses here. I didn't mean it to be a recommendation for FoxInCloud in this particular case.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro articles, tips and downloads

 

[foxincloud]

Steve,

The Web is multi-tiered so you can move your VFP app to the Web in 2 steps:
[ol 1]
[li]Turn the client side (UI) in responsive HTML/CSS/JS using FoxInCloud; at this stage, the server code is still VFP but you've done half the way and your client has saved a lot of time and money writing tedious HTML/CSS/JS code[/li]
[li]Let your PHP guy rewrite the server code with your guidance; both codes can run side by side on the server, you client can easily compare the results in PHP compared to VFP[/li]
[/ol]
Rewriting from scratch into another tech (language and architecture) without functional knowledge is somewhat difficult.

 

[Steve Meyerson]

Thanks for your response, FoxInCloud.

Rewriting from scratch into another tech (language and architecture) without functional knowledge is somewhat difficult.

Yes. In fact I believe a PHP rewrite would be a way bigger job than my friend thinks. For example there are over 50 reports (and growing) to be printed by multiple users.

FWIW, the initial stab at this project was written in PHP a few years ago in less than 2 weeks (by a programmer no longer available). My rewrite in VFP added many features. He will continue to pay me, but I certainly don't want his (or anyone else's) business entirely dependent on myself alone.

We shall see...

Steve