Database Programming

pinkscorpio68

pinkscorpio68

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Greetings programmers

I want to dabble to see if the bug bites in database programming.

I am looking to "re-write" a delivery / invoicing system for where I am working. There is a current app in place but it is outdated done in dBase 5 for Windows. I've Googled and came up with so many paths and languages to learn. It is so overwhelming that I am lost.

If I were to replace this outdated system done on dBase, what path would you recommend? The closet I have come to programming is GW Basic and HTML and PCFile+.
 
Sheesh, that is a tough one.

I'm pretty sure most people will end up recommending some kind of HTML + web language + database combination, but it all works very differently from that lot.

I would almost recommend MS Access because that at least still behaves like a dBase/PCF style client database, it uses Basic for all the coding bits, and it's pretty straightforward. But it's also kind of legacy, so don't know if you want to move from one legacy system to another almost legacy one.
 
Am not gonna even try and respond the pinkscorpian with the closet he came out of to program
 
Are you open to learning new languages or are you scared of them?

What environment are you running on? Windows/Linux machines and server?

How many people must access this system at the same time? Should they access it through a browser or an application on the machine itself?
 
"database programming" :wtf:

If you are targeting a windows environment and the database is not > 10gb in size then just go the SQL Server Express route.

And then program the app in C#.

But if you haven't done any programming before it is going to take you a bit of time to learn the ropes.
 
OP, if your company's delivery / invoicing program is indeed written in dBase 5 for Windows your boss should be made aware of the fact that dBase 5 is a 16-bit programming language, whereas all current versions of Windows are 64-bit, i.e. you won't be able to run the software on a new PC.

In short, you should be looking to replace the software as soon as is convenient.

To answer your question:

  • dBase is still available, so maybe you should consider converting the code to a more modern version. This route, however, will cost $$$. See http://www.dbase.com/
  • The alternative is a rewrite. Following @Necropolis's advice I would go for the Express versions of the Microsoft development tools, which are free.
Finally, you should note that the rewrite is not exactly the easiest task for an inexperienced programmer, so beware !
 
rrh said:
Finally, you should note that the rewrite is not exactly the easiest task for an inexperienced programmer, so beware !
Click to expand...

A rewrite is not the easiest task for an experienced developer either...
 
May I suggest that your company purchase or even use open source software that is readily available to perform these functions. It may be worth more to a company to adapt their processes slightly than to go and write custom software and end up in this same situation a couple of years down the line.

Now is the best time for you to make a change.
 
Linux and MySQL is a fun way to "dabble" in "database programming". Or Solaris and Oracle. And if there are free options for Windows Server and SQL Server try that, but I personally would recommend the Linux/MySQL route or the Solaris/Oracle route if fancy a bigger challenge than MySQL. There is no good reason that I prefer Solaris/Oracle. Im just more familiar with it. :)

All 3 are good options to learns some real SQL. There are probably others too :)
 
Necropolis said:
"database programming" :wtf:
Click to expand...

Guess he meant database design and custom app dev.

Why not go Firebird on the DB side? It's multiplatform and free. For the app side go web front end from the start. Flash is dead. HTML5?
 
Necropolis said:
"database programming" :wtf:
Click to expand...

Guess he meant database design and custom app dev.

Why not go Firebird on the DB side? It's multiplatform and free. For the app side go web front end from the start. Flash is dead. HTML5?
 
Thank you all for your valuable input.

I still want to dabble, but I doubt this will ever get to production status, you never know, hehe. I have a pretty good feeling we will get a new entity in before year end, because everyone now wants Windows 10 and our dBase 5 system is still Windows 95 production, it's long over due its sell by date, lol.

We've got one entity in at the moment, but damn, 18 months later, the rewrite is far from finished :( This is what is prompting me to dabble ;)

Thanks all :)
 
Yeah, I'm just going to repeat what everyone else has said. Invoicing is nothing new, get something new off the shelf to do it all and just restart afresh with the new system and phase out the old.
 
What makes our system unique, is that we will have 2 invoice addresses plus 1 Delivery address. None of the Off the Shelf system can accommodate our needs. If A address is present, then B address must not print and 1 other field must print. If A address is not present, then B address must print in place of A address and 1 other field must not print.
 
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