Set up FoxPro 8 in server

[lorel]

Hello there
I have another question, my boss wants to install FoxPro 8 in a server so three programers (myself included) can work on the same files, I have been researching how to do this and I have not been able to find an answer that works. I have been reading the FoxPro 6 book (We can not find a FoxPro 8 book) to see if it would tell me how to to this.

How do I set up or install FoxPro 8 in a server (Windows 2003) so we can share the files among three individuals?

Thanks again

Joe

 

[rgbean]

Joe,
While it can be done, it violates the MS license that essentially says (as I read it) one licence per developer per machine.

There is no problem installing on each developer's machine, and then keeping the project, source files and data on the network server.

Rick

 

[lorel]

Rick:

First let me thank you for taking the time to send me a replay, beleive me when I tell you that any answer I get is very much appreciate.

We have licenses for all the programers that are going to use the product, we are a software house so we make sure we have licenses for every product we use (It is one of my responsabilities to make sure we do) If we need to purchase a separate license for the server, then we will purchase the additional license.

But my question still stands, how it is done, I have not been able to find the info on how to set it up.

Thanks for your answer

Joe

 

[rgbean]

In that case, what I did, is to install it on each developer's system, but point the install files to the network drive. While some files and the registry updates will go on each developer's system, the majority of the files will go on the server. Note: I found it best to remove the files on the server after each install - except the last one!

There are some disadvantages:

1) A lot more network traffic - giving slower load times for each developer.

2) Each developer must map the same drive letter to this network drive.

3) Each delevoper needs to fix their shortcut(s) to include a CONFIG.FPW file on their local system or uniquely on a network drive. This should also point to a separate resource file (Foxuser.DBF) for each developer.

4) You have to make sure that NO ONE uninstalls it - if they do, it'll remove it for everyone. (Make sure you have a backup of this directory, if someone does uninstall it, you can then restore it!)

5) Remember there are other files that VFP opens exclusively (dependent on the version of VFP you are using), and these can cause conflicts.

Other than saving 100-150 MB of disk space on each user's system (depending on you disk formating), I can't imagine why you'd want to go this way. We did it for VFP 5.0 with 10 developer's and I swore I'd never try it again! Extra disk space is a lot cheaper than the time and problems this setup can cause - especially when you need to do updates. Note: There will still be at least 17 to 20 MB required on each developer's system.

Good Luck!

Rick

 

[lorel]

Rick

Thanks for your instructions, I will discuss then with the boss to see if we should set it up as you indicated and taking in cosideration the posible problems.

Thanks again

Joe

 

[wgcs]

wants to install FoxPro 8 in a server so three programers (myself included) can work on the same files,

You mention that you have licences for all the programmers: I'd recommend installing VFP 8 locally on each programmer's computer, since that is how it is designed to be installed and used, and it will certainly load faster.


I think you are asking basically, how to share the Project & Source Code files among the developers. If this is your question, there are as many different ways as there are groups working together on software.

You might want to explore Visual Source Safe (I think it came with Visual Studio 6, if you have that), or the open source CVS. (I don't use either, so I can't advise on how well they work).



- Bill

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

 

[lorel]

Bill:

You are rigth, I did not asked my question correcly, what we need is the ability to all work on the same code, forms etc. to prevent the posibility of having a completed program that do not have the most up-to-date changes.

All three programers have their own copy of FoxPro 8 in their computer, but we should only be working on the same set of forms and the same code

Thanks

Joe

 

[craigber]

You definately need some type of source control system. Visual Source Safe integrates directly into VFP. There are some open source alternatives. SourceGear Vault (

http://www.sourcegear.com)

is recommended by many.

Craig Berntson
MCSD, Visual FoxPro MVP,

http://www.craigberntson.com

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