Clipper to VFP

Anybody done this? What should I be aware of? Is it easy?
Used to use Clipper as a compiler for dBase, did some programming in it when
they broke away, Lost track of it over the years.
Any and all information, Tips etc would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mohammed

Man-wai
Sun Aug 13 20:09:17 CDT 2006

Imaginecorp wrote:
> Anybody done this? What should I be aware of? Is it easy?
> Used to use Clipper as a compiler for dBase, did some programming in it when
> they broke away, Lost track of it over the years.
> Any and all information, Tips etc would be greatly appreciated.

You may wanna look into http://www.xharbour.com and
http://www.harbour-project.org



--
SoftMedia Technology Co., Ltd.
Website: http://www.softmedia.hk Tel: (852)2743 4228
* TryEasy Accounting/POS/Trading/ERP solutions

tnhoe
Mon Aug 14 00:24:08 CDT 2006

I am using both VFP and Harbour.

VFP has visual form/report designer, Harbour doesn't have one.


"Man-wai Chang" <info@softmedia.hk> wrote in message
news:uN0qF5zvGHA.428@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Imaginecorp wrote:
>> Anybody done this? What should I be aware of? Is it easy?
>> Used to use Clipper as a compiler for dBase, did some programming in it
>> when they broke away, Lost track of it over the years.
>> Any and all information, Tips etc would be greatly appreciated.
>
> You may wanna look into http://www.xharbour.com and
> http://www.harbour-project.org
>
>
>
> --
> SoftMedia Technology Co., Ltd.
> Website: http://www.softmedia.hk Tel: (852)2743 4228
> * TryEasy Accounting/POS/Trading/ERP solutions

imaginecorp
Mon Aug 14 11:16:01 CDT 2006

Thanks guys:
How about functions and syntax, with a background in xBase, is it easy to
figuire them out?
Mohammed

"tnhoe" wrote:

> I am using both VFP and Harbour.
>
> VFP has visual form/report designer, Harbour doesn't have one.
>
>
> "Man-wai Chang" <info@softmedia.hk> wrote in message
> news:uN0qF5zvGHA.428@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> > Imaginecorp wrote:
> >> Anybody done this? What should I be aware of? Is it easy?
> >> Used to use Clipper as a compiler for dBase, did some programming in it
> >> when they broke away, Lost track of it over the years.
> >> Any and all information, Tips etc would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > You may wanna look into http://www.xharbour.com and
> > http://www.harbour-project.org
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > SoftMedia Technology Co., Ltd.
> > Website: http://www.softmedia.hk Tel: (852)2743 4228
> > * TryEasy Accounting/POS/Trading/ERP solutions
>
>
>

Dan
Mon Aug 14 11:48:16 CDT 2006

The Xbase language commands and functions will be very familiar to you.

The object.property syntax will be new, but you're going to have that pretty
much no matter what you use.

Dan

imaginecorp wrote:
> Thanks guys:
> How about functions and syntax, with a background in xBase, is it
> easy to figuire them out?
> Mohammed
>
> "tnhoe" wrote:
>
>> I am using both VFP and Harbour.
>>
>> VFP has visual form/report designer, Harbour doesn't have one.
>>
>>
>> "Man-wai Chang" <info@softmedia.hk> wrote in message
>> news:uN0qF5zvGHA.428@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>> Imaginecorp wrote:
>>>> Anybody done this? What should I be aware of? Is it easy?
>>>> Used to use Clipper as a compiler for dBase, did some programming
>>>> in it when they broke away, Lost track of it over the years.
>>>> Any and all information, Tips etc would be greatly appreciated.
>>>
>>> You may wanna look into http://www.xharbour.com and
>>> http://www.harbour-project.org
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> SoftMedia Technology Co., Ltd.
>>> Website: http://www.softmedia.hk Tel: (852)2743 4228
>>> * TryEasy Accounting/POS/Trading/ERP solutions

tom
Tue Aug 15 02:38:00 CDT 2006


"Imaginecorp" <imaginecorp@msn.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:em6STKzvGHA.4296@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Anybody done this? What should I be aware of? Is it easy?
> Used to use Clipper as a compiler for dBase, did some programming in it
> when they broke away, Lost track of it over the years.
> Any and all information, Tips etc would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks
> Mohammed
>

Hi,

we are doing both and have converted > 50 apps to VFP.

Business logic
Your XBASE knowledge is very useful ( a do while .not. eof() keeps) but
there are some traps like a:=1 must be a=1 in VFP, the comment is && / * ,
not //, ... VFP will show you.

Interface
Must be done completely new, VFP works with visual desigend screens, the
"Objects" (like textboxes, grids, and so on) have "datasource" (fields in a
table, variables,..)
But there are still "valids" and "whens"

Output
Normally must be rewritten completely, VFP uses graphical designed reports
with groups, headers, and so on. Sometimes the easiest way is to write every
line (clipper) into a temp table (a cursor) and make a report in courier
font with just this line to be repeated (ugly but fast).
We also like to directly access excel via "automation", not only export in
XLS. Many jobs can be done with firing excel-macros from vfp (without
showing it to the user)

OOP
Object oriented design is very powerful, but you need some time to learn it

Client-Server
You can use SQL statements in VFP and attach other databases like sql
server, but you need to learn it.

Suggestion
Have a look on hentzenwerke.com , they have excellent books about foxpro.
Later on have a look on so called "frameworks", which can make app design
much easier (when you know more about VFP)

Good luck, it has been been a jump to an exciting new world...

HTH
Tom

Imaginecorp
Tue Aug 15 08:57:49 CDT 2006

Thanks Tom;
Mohammed

"tom knauf" <hbgmail@pdtgmbh.de> wrote in message
news:ebrtkq$1jd$00$1@news.t-online.com...
>
> "Imaginecorp" <imaginecorp@msn.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
> news:em6STKzvGHA.4296@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Anybody done this? What should I be aware of? Is it easy?
>> Used to use Clipper as a compiler for dBase, did some programming in it
>> when they broke away, Lost track of it over the years.
>> Any and all information, Tips etc would be greatly appreciated.
>> Thanks
>> Mohammed
>>
>
> Hi,
>
> we are doing both and have converted > 50 apps to VFP.
>
> Business logic
> Your XBASE knowledge is very useful ( a do while .not. eof() keeps) but
> there are some traps like a:=1 must be a=1 in VFP, the comment is && / * ,
> not //, ... VFP will show you.
>
> Interface
> Must be done completely new, VFP works with visual desigend screens, the
> "Objects" (like textboxes, grids, and so on) have "datasource" (fields in
> a table, variables,..)
> But there are still "valids" and "whens"
>
> Output
> Normally must be rewritten completely, VFP uses graphical designed reports
> with groups, headers, and so on. Sometimes the easiest way is to write
> every line (clipper) into a temp table (a cursor) and make a report in
> courier font with just this line to be repeated (ugly but fast).
> We also like to directly access excel via "automation", not only export in
> XLS. Many jobs can be done with firing excel-macros from vfp (without
> showing it to the user)
>
> OOP
> Object oriented design is very powerful, but you need some time to learn
> it
>
> Client-Server
> You can use SQL statements in VFP and attach other databases like sql
> server, but you need to learn it.
>
> Suggestion
> Have a look on hentzenwerke.com , they have excellent books about foxpro.
> Later on have a look on so called "frameworks", which can make app design
> much easier (when you know more about VFP)
>
> Good luck, it has been been a jump to an exciting new world...
>
> HTH
> Tom
>
>

Carsten
Wed Aug 16 02:05:49 CDT 2006

Mohamed,

like Foxpro once became Visual Foxpro, Clipper made a similar step. It's
called Visual Objects (VO). See more here: http://www.grafxsoft.com/vo27.htm
I used to programm all 4 variants (Clipper, VO, Foxpro, VFP), meanwhile only
VFP.

Clipper has some features and functions you wont find in VFP
- Persistent private variables
- Direct declaring of arrays with the square brackets {}
- The BROWSE-Function (not command) with the object passed to a userdefined
function.
- Codeblocks
- AEval()
- Is your program using external DLLs (which was very common in Clipper).
That may be a problem

Translating simple functions to VFP wont be that difficult, but if you want
to port a complete application, it might be a tick harder.

--
Cheers
Carsten
_______________________________

"Imaginecorp" <imaginecorp@msn.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:em6STKzvGHA.4296@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Anybody done this? What should I be aware of? Is it easy?
> Used to use Clipper as a compiler for dBase, did some programming in it
> when they broke away, Lost track of it over the years.
> Any and all information, Tips etc would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks
> Mohammed
>

Man-wai
Thu Aug 17 23:34:35 CDT 2006

Carsten Bonde wrote:
> Mohamed,
>
> like Foxpro once became Visual Foxpro, Clipper made a similar step. It's
> called Visual Objects (VO). See more here: http://www.grafxsoft.com/vo27.htm
> I used to programm all 4 variants (Clipper, VO, Foxpro, VFP), meanwhile only
> VFP.

I heard that VO was a mess. There is also dBase++.

--
SoftMedia Technology Co., Ltd.
Website: http://www.softmedia.hk Tel: (852)2743 4228
* TryEasy Accounting/POS/Trading/ERP solutions

Carsten
Fri Aug 18 00:52:17 CDT 2006

and i know people who heard that VFP should be a mess :-)
We know better - the VO-people sure also knows better.

Have a nice weekend.

--
Cheers
Carsten
_______________________________

"Man-wai Chang" <info@softmedia.hk> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:Oacrc%23nwGHA.3364@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Carsten Bonde wrote:
>> Mohamed,
>>
>> like Foxpro once became Visual Foxpro, Clipper made a similar step. It's
>> called Visual Objects (VO). See more here:
>> http://www.grafxsoft.com/vo27.htm
>> I used to programm all 4 variants (Clipper, VO, Foxpro, VFP), meanwhile
>> only VFP.
>
> I heard that VO was a mess. There is also dBase++.
>
> --
> SoftMedia Technology Co., Ltd.
> Website: http://www.softmedia.hk Tel: (852)2743 4228
> * TryEasy Accounting/POS/Trading/ERP solutions

Man-wai
Fri Aug 18 08:16:06 CDT 2006

Carsten Bonde wrote:
> and i know people who heard that VFP should be a mess :-)
> We know better - the VO-people sure also knows better.

I got the remark from a Clipper head... anyway, ... hm.... time for more
water...

--
.~. Might, Courage, Vision, SINCERITY. http://www.linux-sxs.org
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty! May the Force and Farce be with you!
/( _ )\ (Ubuntu 6.06) Linux 2.6.17.8
^ ^ 21:15:01 up 11 days 2:11 0 users load average: 1.00 1.00 1.00
news://news.3home.net news://news.hkpcug.org news://news.newsgroup.com.hk

Imaginecorp
Sat Aug 19 11:25:04 CDT 2006

Thanks Carsten;
This is a massive app in clipper (summer of 85 through 5.0), though I have
not seen it, has over 400 table, 30-40 Exe's.and a million lines of code is
what I was told. Heavy use of arrays, may have DLL's as well. It has to be
migrated to VFP 9.

> - The BROWSE-Function (not command) with the object passed to a
> userdefined function.
> - Codeblocks
> - AEval()
> - Is your program using external DLLs (which was very common in Clipper).


Does the above apply to VO or was it 5.0 as well?

I do not know if we will get this project, just thought I would get a heads
up in case.
Mohammed


"Carsten Bonde" <bonde AT real-inkasso DOT de> wrote in message
news:uoqenKQwGHA.560@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Mohamed,
>
> like Foxpro once became Visual Foxpro, Clipper made a similar step. It's
> called Visual Objects (VO). See more here:
> http://www.grafxsoft.com/vo27.htm
> I used to programm all 4 variants (Clipper, VO, Foxpro, VFP), meanwhile
> only VFP.
>
> Clipper has some features and functions you wont find in VFP
> - Persistent private variables

> - The BROWSE-Function (not command) with the object passed to a
> userdefined function.
> - Codeblocks
> - AEval()
> - Is your program using external DLLs (which was very common in Clipper).
> That may be a problem
>
> Translating simple functions to VFP wont be that difficult, but if you
> want to port a complete application, it might be a tick harder.
>
> --
> Cheers
> Carsten
> _______________________________

>
> "Imaginecorp" <imaginecorp@msn.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
> news:em6STKzvGHA.4296@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Anybody done this? What should I be aware of? Is it easy?
>> Used to use Clipper as a compiler for dBase, did some programming in it
>> when they broke away, Lost track of it over the years.
>> Any and all information, Tips etc would be greatly appreciated.
>> Thanks
>> Mohammed
>>
>
>

Carsten
Mon Aug 21 02:37:51 CDT 2006

Mohammed,

the mentioned issues both applies to Clipper and VO (well the
Browse-funciton is more Clipper)
With no warranties, i would claim you can translate 60 - 70% of the
Clipper-Code into VFP with no or less overhead. If you have access to the
Clipper-Sourcecode, why dont you try to migrate a few prg's or maybe even a
small .EXE?

--
Cheers
Carsten
_______________________________

"Imaginecorp" <imaginecorp@msn.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:uzCHDw6wGHA.1484@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Thanks Carsten;
> This is a massive app in clipper (summer of 85 through 5.0), though I have
> not seen it, has over 400 table, 30-40 Exe's.and a million lines of code
> is what I was told. Heavy use of arrays, may have DLL's as well. It has
> to be migrated to VFP 9.
>
>> - The BROWSE-Function (not command) with the object passed to a
>> userdefined function.
>> - Codeblocks
>> - AEval()
>> - Is your program using external DLLs (which was very common in Clipper).
>
>
> Does the above apply to VO or was it 5.0 as well?
>
> I do not know if we will get this project, just thought I would get a
> heads up in case.
> Mohammed
>
>
> "Carsten Bonde" <bonde AT real-inkasso DOT de> wrote in message
> news:uoqenKQwGHA.560@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Mohamed,
>>
>> like Foxpro once became Visual Foxpro, Clipper made a similar step. It's
>> called Visual Objects (VO). See more here:
>> http://www.grafxsoft.com/vo27.htm
>> I used to programm all 4 variants (Clipper, VO, Foxpro, VFP), meanwhile
>> only VFP.
>>
>> Clipper has some features and functions you wont find in VFP
>> - Persistent private variables
>
>> - The BROWSE-Function (not command) with the object passed to a
>> userdefined function.
>> - Codeblocks
>> - AEval()
>> - Is your program using external DLLs (which was very common in Clipper).
>> That may be a problem
>>
>> Translating simple functions to VFP wont be that difficult, but if you
>> want to port a complete application, it might be a tick harder.
>>
>> --
>> Cheers
>> Carsten
>> _______________________________
>
>>
>> "Imaginecorp" <imaginecorp@msn.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
>> news:em6STKzvGHA.4296@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> Anybody done this? What should I be aware of? Is it easy?
>>> Used to use Clipper as a compiler for dBase, did some programming in it
>>> when they broke away, Lost track of it over the years.
>>> Any and all information, Tips etc would be greatly appreciated.
>>> Thanks
>>> Mohammed
>>>
>>
>>
>
>