Visual DataFlex 2008
The round of product releases continues unabated, and 2008 kicks off with a whole bunch of new ones. Including Visual DataFlex 2008 on the horizon
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The end of 2007 saw a flurry of VDF related activities, some of which which you may be aware of if you have the Data Access e-News sent to you. A summary below.
In the meantime, VDF 2008 is starting to emerge with a particular emphasis on Windows Vista, but much more besides.
The introductory training day in October was particularly well subscribed, and we will be repeating this in early 2008. The date for this is still to be decided, but if interested, e-mail us any time - enquiries@asckey.com . And we have a full house for a Dynamic AI training day in January. All in all, VDF related matters are really gaining momentum as we go into the New Year!
VDF Sig - April
Advance notice - Tuesday 8th April.
A departure from the usual Saturday, but an overwhelming response at the Autumn seminar encourages us to go with a weekday date again. More details closer to the date.
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Visual DataFlex 2008
With the new year, a new naming convention it seems. What happened to VDF v13? Don’t ask! The next version is definitely Visual Dataflex 2008, and will make its first debut at DISD in February. From DAE’s e-News:-
"As of the next product release, the Visual DataFlex revision naming scheme will break from a long tradition and replace sequential numbering (e.g. Visual DataFlex 12.1) with the year: Visual DataFlex 2008. Internal revision numbering will be maintained to ensure accurate identification of development tools and deployed components.
Chip Casanave, President and CEO of Data Access Worldwide, said about the name shift, "We feel that 2008 represents an exceptionally exciting year for Visual DataFlex - especially in the areas of state-of-the-art user interfaces for Windows with Codejock controls, Web applications with the AJAX framework and Web Services. The new name format aligns well with our technical and business direction."
This version will be the first version to fully support Windows Vista, and how to move applications onto that platform
The other major featurelooks to be CodeJock skinning, with more provisions for this area of CodeJock capability, some of which we in the UK have already seen at VDF Sig meetings.
For more details, and particularly for Vista enthsiasts who could help with Feedback on the new Vista compatibility by trialling the now available Alpha release, see our VDF web site
More on DISD:-
DISD, Carson City, Nevada, February 21-23, 2008
With the US$ way down on the UK£, what better time to go to what is usually the pre-eminent technical VDF meeting of the year.
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The Visual DataFlex Ajax Library v1.1 - Released
We have been convinced for a long time now that the Web browser is going to provide the definitive platform for most multi-user business applications - the problem lies in getting these up to the standard we are used to in typical Windows Desktop applications. The AJAX concept is key to this, and Data Access have now released V1.1 of the AJAX libraries project. For those who say "Never use 1.0 of anything", now’s the time to take a look!
The AJAX Library provides you the tools to build sophisticated Web 2.0 (rich internet applications) style web applications. It consists out of a number of parts:
Example Workspaces (Order Entry, Contacts and Wines)
- Forms
- Forms with Tab’s
- Lookup Lists
- Suggest Lists
- Header/Detail style
- Popup Calendar
- Modal Dialogs
- Security
- Multiple Grids
- List/Popup based Forms
Wizards:
- Setting up the Workspace
- Creating Data Entry Pages that support the automatical generation of lookup lists and suggests lists.
Templates:
- Web Service Interface
- Session Manager
- Form Based Web Page
- List Based Web Page
Help:
- The help file in this version has been complete revisited. An excellent source to start.
Server Side Library
- Web Service Interface
- Web Business Objects
- Session Manager
Client Side Library
- JavaScript Libraries
- User Interface Controls: Menu, Tabpage, List, Grid, Calendar, etc.
- Automatic Client Side validations based on Data Dictionary Settings
- Automatic type checking. For example: No alphanumeric characters allowed for integer fields, force Capslock, etc.
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Version 5 Connectivity Kits Updated and fully released
The version 5 connectivity kits first became available with the release of VDF 12.1 studio, but only through the application installation provisions there.
In fact, a bug emerged - more to do with the older MS SQL Server 2000 than with the connectivity kit, but nevertheless a problem when you can’t dictate to the customer which version of their database to use! This has now been worked around, and the connectivity kits are now fully available, including both the new Express Server support, and the new "one reg code does it all" provision where you can register a connectivity kit and VDF client engine together from one registration code.
Connectivity Kits v5 Features:
Faster Performance - Perhaps the biggest headline! Several changes to the design of the Connectivity Kits has rendered measurable speed improvements. Users should test the new drivers to evaluate actual performance increases with their systems, data and applications.
Improved Locking Mechanism -
provides more control over Deadlocks and Timeouts.
Silent Login -
a new option that allows programmatic control over invalid login information without desktop interaction for configurations where a user dialog is not needed or desired.
Redirectable Connection - allows changing an open database connection to point to a different database that is identical to the definition of the initial database connection.
Automatic Client Selection (MS-SQL Server)
- with the introduction of SQL Server 2005, Microsoft created a new Client. It is possible for a machine to have two different SQL Server clients installed - one for SQL Server 2000 and one for SQL Server 2005. In the login logic of the new Version 5 Connectivity Kit, the correct client is automatically selected.
DataFlex Connection IDs -
this new concept provides a way to give a connection string a logical identification. When specifying the connection in applications, the logical identification is used rather than the actual connection string. This allows a setup where a program uses the same set of tables in multiple databases to only have one set of intermediate files. This technique can greatly simplify deploying an application with a Client/Server database.
Support for Express Connectivity - Lowering the cost of server database usage.
Connectivity Kits version 5 includes Express Connectivity - a special, no-entry-cost Connectivity Kit license for deployment only with a commercial Visual DataFlex Client License and a free "Express" SQL server. Microsoft, IBM and Oracle now offer free "Express" versions of their world-class SQL servers.
These high-performance, highly reliable database products are ideally suited for use with Visual DataFlex and DataFlex for Linux solutions in many small and medium sized businesses. With Express Connectivity, when small user-count Visual DataFlex and DataFlex solutions are deployed on an Express SQL server, there is no initial connectivity kit license cost. The only cost to the customer is a small increment in their next annual subscription fee. Read more about Express Connectivity.
Download the Connectivity Kit 5 build for your database:
(Note - Visual DataFlex 12.1 users should update their Studio installations to the latest build, which automatically includes these Connectivity Kits.)
An updated Database Builder (11.1.36.0 - included in the CK 5 installations) is the new minimum revision that must be used with the Revision 5 Connectivity Kits.
You can use this revision as an update to an existing Visual DataFlex 11.1 installation or on its own if you are using older Visual DataFlex revisions or DataFlex 3.2. You do not need to install Database Builder 11.1.36.0 if you are using Visual DataFlex 12.0 or later.
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If you are using Pervasive.SQL, then you may be interested in updating to the latest Version.
Pervasive PSQL Summit v10 eases the transition to the next generations of Linux and Windows Server platforms. With improved performance, expanded SQL syntax, an upgraded installation and so much more, Visual DataFlex developers looking to deliver the latest in embedded database technology should evaluate PSQL v10 today!
Pervasive PSQL Summit v10 new features and benefits
- Seamless compatibility for Windows VistaT
- Native 64-bit platform support
- Optimal performance through Xtreme I/O
- Improved security
- And much more!
Read the White Paper (PDF) about how PSQL v10 Xtreme I/O reduces time on reads/writes.
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Discovering Visual DataFlex
Published by Data Access Europe, and more than just a book, this is a comprehensive training course in the essentials of the Visual DataFlex language, and on building Windows Applications with it.
The author is Vincent P.R. Oorsprong, manager of Training & Support at Data Access Europe BV. Vincent started working with DataFlex in 1985 (DataFlex 2.1), and since then he has been an important contributor to the large international Visual DataFlex developer community.
Hard bound, 600 pages, the book is very well produced. The format is that of a training manual, with each chapter followed by exercises. It tackles VDF language basics without making assumptions as to DataFlex knowledge, and goes into the fundamentals - from looping statements through expressions and procedures, serial IO and on up into the Windows related facilities using a staff management training application. Newer material such as structs and arrays is covered. A CD of training material accompanies it. For anyone starting into Visual DataFlex from scratch, this is a "must have" training course and reference.
Price
This is not a book, it is a substitute for a 5 day (or more) training course
List price is £175, which is s bit steep for a book, but very good value as a training course!
More details, including sample pages, here
Discovering Visual DataFlex teaches you how to build full-scale Windows applications. Along the way, each chapter smoothly leads you into understanding more and more of the details. You will gain knowledge at your own pace, and you can always turn back the pages to re-read parts as needed. This book includes examples, exercises and software.
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e-News from Visual DataFlex in the UK is provided by Asckey Data Services Ltd.
With Visual dataFlex continuing to grow in scope and features, we hope to see you sometime, either at training sessions or the VDF sig through 2008. If you need any advice on what VDF can do, just call us, that’s what we are there for.
Your individuality drives our excellence.
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VDF e-News Jan 2008