VFP9 on handheld device 3

[keepingbusy]

I have read many threads on this forum most of which are historic that ask about the use of palmtops, handheld devices and operating systems such as Windows CE.

My multiple part question relates to the feasibility and options available to achieve my goal.

1. Can a VFP9 executable be run on a handheld device and if so, which one?
2. The goal is to update a table on the handheld device and download/upload that table to a desktop computer, can it be done?
3. If yes to 2 can this be done via USB cable or some other connectivity (maybe wireless but not essential)

Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you

Lee

 

[Mike Gagnon]

Have you read FAQ184-3789

Mike Gagnon

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

 

[keepingbusy]

Thank you Mike, I did see that FAQ and that's a start. What about the connectivity and is it a simple case of creating the application, create an installation setup exe file from install shield and installing it on the relevant hand held?

Lee

 

[Olaf Doschke]

1. no (not on WinCE, Win Mobile, VFP Runtime isn't compatible). But Netbooks, which mostly run XP, can host a normal VFP app.

2. Yes, you can sync files via RAPI.

http://fox.wikis.com/wc.dll?Wiki~ActiveSync~SoftwareEng

3. This also works via whatever wireless connection pocket PCs do support.

But: without a fox app on the Pocket PC you can't work with DBFs, you rather sync data with an SQL Server CE.

There is already a very limited .net based fox runtime available here:

http://guineu.foxpert.com/.

It already allows wrinting and reading DBFs, but the command/function set supported is very limited, so you can't simply port an app to PDA. It's already sufficient to do such simple tasks as the inventory app, or the delivery signature app in the samples.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[keepingbusy]

Olaf

Thank you for the comprehensive post and clear direction. Excellent pointers to work with.

Kind regard

Lee

 

[Mike Lewis]

Lee,

In addition to Olaf's good advice, I've heard of cases where a developer has created an application in FoxPro for DOS, and run it on a hand-held device using a DOS emulator. Obviously, it wouldn't be a very sophisticated app, but it would meet your goals of updating a DBF.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

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[keepingbusy]

Mike

whilst doing the research I found the post you made sometime ago that mentioned using FoxPro 2. Fortunately I still have that version so that will indeed be an option.

This project is basically about updating data whilst out and about so cosmetically, the user is not that concerned as long as the information can be typed in and later uploaded as mentioned previously.

Thank you for your post.

Lee

Windows Vista
Visual FoxPro Versions 6 & 9

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[Mike Lewis]

Lee,

If you do decide to try the FoxPro/DOS approach, let us know if it works. I've not tried to do it myself, but it would be worth knowing if it's a possibility.

Mike

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Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

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[keepingbusy]

Hi Mike

Will do. Our next job though is to decide on which handheld/PDA.

If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions that would be good.

Lee

Windows Vista
Visual FoxPro Versions 6 & 9

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[Mike Lewis]

Lee,

Just been reading your post again, and wondering why you need the data on the hand-held to be in a DBF (actually, you didn't say it was a DBF, just a table, but my point still applies).

If the aim of the hand-held is to capture data for later transfer to a VFP app, why not just save it in a text file or something similar? Once you've transferred it over to the PC, VFP will be able to import it without any problem.

Mike

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Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

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[keepingbusy]

Mike

good point. It would easier to do that and as you say import the file later.
I don't see an issue with this.

I'll post back when find out more.

Lee

Windows Vista
Visual FoxPro Versions 6 & 9

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[Nigel Gomm]

Lee

one other thought...

does the data have to be on the PDA at all .. could you use remote desktop and host the VFP app on a terminal sever (or the desktop PC)?

Remote desktop clients exist for windows CE, iPhone and, i believe, symbian devices.

nigel

 

[keepingbusy]

Nigel

the user will need to take a PDA out because data is being collected at many locations on the outskirts of a large premises.

Thank you for your post.

Lee

Windows Vista
Visual FoxPro Versions 6 & 9

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[Nigel Gomm]

Lee,

sorry i wasn't very clear.

Most PDAs have an Remote Desktop client application (I've used ones for Windows CE and iPod Touch) that enable you to control a remote PC desktop or Terminal Server session.

So the user could access a standard VFP app (running on a PC or terminal server somewhere) from his PDA using a RDP client running on the PDA. The data wouldn't reside on the PDA they just use the PDA screen & keyboard to access the VFP application wirelessly.

It's not the prettiest solution but it was just a thought if you have an already existing VFP application that users now need to access while on the move.

nigel

 

[keepingbusy]

Nigel

your suggestion does make sense and adds a further option.

I'm grateful for the contribs on this thread and I will post back allbeit it may take sometime.

Thank you

Lee

Windows Vista
Visual FoxPro Versions 6 & 9

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[Mike Lewis]

Nigel,

I noticed in another thread a couple of weeks ago you mentioned that you had used a remote desktop client on an iPod Touch. At the time, I thought I had misunderstood, because I couldn't see how such a thing was possible. But now you've mentioned it again.

This is really interesting. It could open up all kinds of possibilities.

Could you give us some pointers on how to get started with this. Is there an app you can download, for example?

Mike



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Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro tips, advice, training, consultancy
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[Olaf Doschke]

Mike Lewis,

without having a PDA I can't tell you the details, but remote desktop works with any app, it's remote desktop. You're just limited to the size of the PDA display.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Olaf,

I understand what you are saying, but when I asked about downloading an app, I meant an app to run on the iPod Touch - on the basis that it doesn't have any sort of built-in remote desktop client. At least, that's my understanding.

Mike


__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro tips, advice, training, consultancy
Custom software for your business

 

[Nigel Gomm]

Mike,

Here's a shot of my VFP app running on an ipod (not great focus but you get the idea)

http://www.dotgomm.ca/DSCF2004.jpg

(and here's the same app on my desktop for comparison)

http://www.dotgomm.ca/rm2.png

This was a proof of concept thing using my daughter's ipod and i don't have it with me to tell you which app i downloaded... IIRC i just went into the apps menu and searched for RDT (or was it RDP?) and downloaded one of the options it found. When she comes home from school i'll take a look and let you know.

As i said i also did the same thing using a windows CE device (an iPaq i think it was).

Google turns up several options...

At the server end i just configured my router to forward port 3389 to my PC and enabled remote desktop. Remote desktop is only be available at the business versions of windows (not the basic or home versions) but there is a hack to enable it in home premium too. Can't remember the details but google found it for me.

Screen size is the biggest issue. For any (unmodified) windows app you'll do a lot of scrolling..... The iPhone/Touch has the larger screen so is better in this regard.

As you say, lots of possibilities.

n

 

[Mike Lewis]

Nigel,

This is fascinating. Thanks for posting so much information, especially the photos.

I'll browse around the iTunes store to see what's available in the way of apps when I get time. (I don't have any specific need for this, but who knows when it might be useful.)

By the way, your Rentman app looks nice too (but your prospective tenant in Leytonestone is going to be disappointed when they find they're not round the corner from Hampstead tube <g>).

Mike

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Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro tips, advice, training, consultancy
Custom software for your business