Another Programming Language

[ongoma]

Hi Friends,

(May be not the best forum, but...)

I have been using VFP for the last 9 years but unfortunately
due to it's stability & reliability, I have not bothered to know any other language. Most guys would know at least 2 to 3 languages well enough.

My question is: from your experiences, what other RAD language
do you suggest I should learn. I had thought of Delphi but read in one of the forums that Borland is selling it.

Your replies will be much appreciated

Ongoma

 

[Scott24x7]

Ongoma,
I would suggest that an alternative language would depend on your objective... Generally, if you have a need to do something that your current "langauge" is not well suited to, then you would seek another. To jump from VFP to Delphi would probably not serve a gread deal of purpose, unless you are going to migrate to a company that programs in Delphi... I think it is better to be a master of one, than so-so at two.
I have taken a strong interest in C# myself in recent years, haveing been a Fox developer for the better part of 15 years now... but VFP is not so condusive as a Web front end. C# is more suited to that role, so I have branched out. I would say, don't just pick up a language simply because you want to, but pick one up that fits a purpose that you have, and will improve your marketablility.

Just my view.



Best Regards,
Scott

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, and no simpler."

 

[Mike Lewis]

Ongoma,

I agree with Scott.

In general, there's no point in asking for a recommendation about a language, or any other tool, unless you also say what you want to use it for, what your criteria are -- and, in this case, why you want to achieve that you VFP can't give you.

Mike


__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk

 

[ongoma]

Scott/Mike

I am greatful for your contributions. I think my reason for knowing another language is the way most guys in my country treat Foxpro. Some actually believe Fox is obsolete and for this you end up losing a sale. The first question they ask is
what language? what database? Well, some won't care much as long as the app works according to their needs. But these others coupled with 2014 of extended support by MS makes one to start learning another tool, just in case.

My own feelings...

Ongoma

 

[Scott24x7]

Ongoma,
Well, I might suggest exploring it this way then... what was it that led you to Fox in the first place? (And what country are you in???)
I understand where you are coming from. I don't think Delphi is your answer. From my experience globally, Fox is significantly further reaching, and has a broader user community. Certainly Access isn't the answer... You need to consider what kind of applications you are going to be providing. If they are small to medium applications, which is what Fox excels at, you might still consider something like VisualStudio over SQL (note I did not say MS SQL). For small to medium business apps, they are not going to flock to Linux any time soon, as they are too complicated to administer for the average user. That's why Fox does so well in the small-to-mid market.
If I burried Fox every time I heard the "FoxPro is dead" (which I heard for the first time back in 1993...) I'd have gone broke a long time ago... Don't panic.
You can also address obsolecence in this way: It is only obsolete if it no longer performs the function you require it to. As for "MS support" for VFP, when was the last time you rang Microsoft and said, "Hi, I'm having a problem with my Visual FoxPro..." MS support is the least of your worries.


Best Regards,
Scott

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, and no simpler."

 

[ongoma]

Hi Scott,

(And what country are you in???)

Iam in Kenya-Africa.

You need to consider what kind of applications you are going to be providing

Mostly I develop apps for Payroll, Accounting, Credit Unions, Asset Management etc. Standard desktop apps

Ongoma

 

[Scott24x7]

Well, for now, I would say you are safe... VFP is going to be around along time, and in a country like Kenya, where I would expect that costs is a major issue, you are not going to find an alternative to VFP that keeps in you in same cost realm. SQL applications have big license fees tacked on to them, and require a much higher level of support to maintain them. If you're wanting to expand your development skill set, I think that's great... Personally, as I mentioned, I've moved toward the C# route, but there are many others. You will need to determine what is most needed in your market place, and where you can generate the most value from this skill set.

Best of luck.


Best Regards,
Scott

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, and no simpler."

 

[ongoma]

Scott

Thanks so much. I feel your are right, very right. Microsoft has launched a vicious campaign to stamp piracy out of this country and many guys are now spending (grudgingly) thousands of $ to comply. I think for business apps they would rather use less expensive tools. MS SQL is just too expensive for them. So you are right that for now am safe.

I also thought of C# and I now think I am going to explore that area.

Thanks for your time.

Ongoma

 

[Scott24x7]

Ongoma,
Just to "complete the circle", my reasons for selecting C# where varried, and included that it was good for things like:
-Terminal Development
-Client/Server (stand alone applications)
-Web Support

To me, a very robust, and well rounded language, that I could draw on my existing knowledge of things like C, VFP, and VB. Better than C/C++ in that I don't have to be SO responsible for memory control. Just some things to think about...

Cheers



Best Regards,
Scott

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, and no simpler."

 

[ongoma]

Scott,

Better than C/C++ in that I don't have to be SO responsible for memory control

I stopped thinking of C/C++ for similar reasons. Development cycle is longer. Earlier reasons (esp. Web support) apply. VFP is insufficient on that front.

Thanks

Ongoma

 

[Mike Lewis]

Ongoma,

I can't add much to what you and Scott have already discussed.

I'd only say that if the long-term future of the language is an issue, you should definitely stay away from Delphi.

I think Delphi is a great product, and there was a time when I was using it as much as VFP. But Borland have said quite clearly that they don't see a future for it; in fact, I understand they are hoping to sell it.

Mike


__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk

 

[ongoma]

Mike,

... if the long-term future of the language is an issue...

It is Mike. That's why I want to learn an extra language. I had heard about Borland's intention to sell Delphi so I dropped the idea of learning it. My development will be Fox-based for at least the next 8 years and most likely more but by then I should be very good in another language for the simple reason that technology is changing so fast and you never know future expectations of clients on business solutions. For now, though, Fox remains unrivalled in small to mid market desktop app development. Am safe with it.

Thanks

Ongoma

 

[Mike Lewis]

Ongoma,

In that case, I suggest you stay with Fox until something happens to prevent you from using it. That "something" could be Microsoft withdrawing support (which won't happen for at least eight years), or the language failing to keep up with other developments.

When you finally decide that you can't use Fox anymore, that's when you should be looking for a new language. As you say, the technology is changing rapidly, so why decide on something now that might be obsolete by the time you need it.

Mike


__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk

 

[ongoma]

Mike,

Agreed.


Ongoma

 

[oradba101]

Good morning,

Oracle has released JDeveloper for free. This may be a possibility.

Regards,


William Chadbourne
Oracle DBA