VFP conversion to web

[lifesupport]

We have an application that was created in VFP (currently in VFP 7.0) that we'd like to put on the web. It would be more cost effective to leave the app in VFP - upgrading to 9.0 is not a problem. Would it be more efficient to convert the app to SQL or would VFP be just as fast on the web? If SQL is preferable, how well does MS SQL Server Express work? What would be the best approach? Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[craigber]

Putting an application on the web has nothing to do with the database being used. Speed is not a reason to move from VFP to SQL Server, unless your users are remote and connecting through a VPN. This is not the case with a web-based application.

Craig Berntson
MCSD, Visual FoxPro MVP,

http://www.craigberntson.com

Author, CrysDev: A Developer's Guide to Integrating Crystal Reports"

 

[lifesupport]

I left off one very important question. This application is not written for multiple users. It was written to install on individual machines. Will this have to be converted to a multiple user application when putting this on the web? I believe this can be done with VFP but is not quite as easy as other languages.

 

[Mike Gagnon]

Taking an existing application and "putting it on the web" in most languages including VFP means the screens have to be redone in HTML since the web browser accepts that kind of laguange, so your are talking a major rewrite, so the issue of making it for multiuser is but a small portion, that can be handled at rewrite time.

Mike Gagnon

If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ184-2483 first.
ReFox XI (www.mcrgsoftware.com)

 

[rkolva]

We had a stand alone data entry application that opened every table exclusive. We looked at 2 approaches to making it a 'Web based' application, FAT and THIN client. We chose to make it a FAT client where the app transmits and recieves XML data as that involved less hacking at the code and sometimes our clients collect data in remote locations where and Internet connection may not be available. Obviously mileage will vary depending on the existing app.

We developed our own http class using the WinHttp COM interface as the connection mechanism and it has been working extremely well for the past couple of years. You could also look into the West-Wind products if you would rather not roll your own.

Just another idea that may work for you depending on situation. Afterall, not everything on the Internet is browser based.

Ralph Kolva

 

[Mike Gagnon]

Ralph

Another option, that involves no rewrite at all would be to install the application on a terminal server and access it through Remote Desktop. This does not fix the opening the tables exclusively but that is a smaller issue.

Mike Gagnon

If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ184-2483 first.
ReFox XI (www.mcrgsoftware.com)

 

[wgcs]

Hi LifeSupport,

As you're probably becoming aware, there are at least Dozens of ways to convert a VFP desktop application into a VFP Web-Based application, (and 100's of ways to leave VFP during the conversion).

The best approach is determined by:
1) The existing architecture of the application
2) The requirements for the web-based incarnation of your application.
3) The skills (in VFP and other languages/technologies) you and others working on the project have.
4) The server resources available (if VFP is to be the back-end, the server must be Windows AND must have the VFP runtimes installed and registered on it)

Here are some links that may help you:

http://fox.wikis.com/wc.dll?Wiki~MissionImpossible~VFP

http://fox.wikis.com/wc.dll?Wiki~UsingWebConnect~VFP

http://fox.wikis.com/wc.dll?Wiki~IKnowThereMustBeAWayToUpdateAWebserver~VFP

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1158932

- Bill

Get the best answers to your questions -- See FAQ481-4875.