Rick
Wed Nov 26 09:48:53 CST 2003
Neil,
I've converted a number of projects from FPW 2.6a to VFP 6.0, and they =
ranged from "trivial" to most difficult. If you are going from FP DOS to =
VFP 8.0, you'll have an even more difficult time. A lot depends on the =
complexity of the forms and reports and whether you use any "kludges" =
and any non-FP code (e.g. PLB and BIN files). I've "converted" from DOS =
to FPW, and that was just very time consuming and tedious to deal with =
all the form and report changes due to the non-proportional differences =
for field sizes. (Windows users really expect that you don't used fixed =
width fonts much - if at all!)
The key, is to have a plan set up to do it, and not allowing the code to =
be changed while you are converting. Deciding on a "framework" of =
appropriate classes can also speed up the process. I'd really suggest =
you see if MEI still has that Self-Study course available - it made all =
the difference for our conversions. It includes a number "why's" and =
"how to's", as well as some useful utilities to assist in the process. =
One of their techniques allows a gradual transition using a mixed model, =
but there are some downsides as you might expect. Also, one utility can =
create forms from the running code - you don't even have to have =
"screens" (.SCX files) to convert them. For the price - $249 that last =
time I checked - you can't get better advice. (I have no connection with =
them, other than being a satisfied customer.)
Of course most people that have gone through this would suggest that the =
best idea is to forget converting, and just rewrite the application - in =
the long run it'll take less time AND you'll be happier with the end =
result.=20
You may also want to check out the new "Painless Legacy FoxPro =
Applications On Modern Networks (ebook only)" available at =
http://www.hentzenwerke.com/catalogpricelists/painlesse.htm.=20
Rick
"Neil Negandhi" <negandhi@vex.net> wrote in message =
news:OXo2XnCtDHA.2400@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Thanks Rick. Sounds as if you've gone through this process before. =
Can you
> give a (very) rough estimate on how long it would take to convert a =
100
> screen app? From what I can see, it's mostly reports and data entry =
screens
> and not a lot of back end logic.
>=20
> --=20
> Neil Negandhi
> negandhi@vex.net
>=20
> "Rick Bean" <rgbean@unrealmelange-inc.com> wrote in message
> news:OnLRYg4sDHA.3236@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Neil, Cindy,
> I just checked, and it looks like they've not only reworked the web =
site,
> but they don't appear to have any self-study courses listed. Perhaps =
if you
> called them they might still have a few copies laying around for a
> "discounted" price! In fact the only mention of FoxPro I could find is =
on
> their Home page! <s>
>=20
>
http://www.microendeavors.com/index.htm
>=20
> Rick
>=20
> "Neil Negandhi" <negandhi@vex.net> wrote in message
> news:uppx2N2sDHA.2508@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > Cindy, that link takes me to a shopping site. I went to
> >
http://www.microendeavours.com yesterday and looked all over for the
> > migration kit mentioned in this newsgroup - no luck. Once your =
connection
> > comes up can you please verify the link? Thanks.
> >
> > --=20
> > Neil Negandhi
> > negandhi@vex.net
> >
> > "Cindy Winegarden" <cindy.winegarden@mvps.org> wrote in message
> > news:el1qUZwsDHA.2392@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > > In news: Ot6JR5ssDHA.2244@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl,
> > > Neil Negandhi <negandhi@vex.net> wrote:
> > > > We have an old FoxPro 2.6 app .....
> > > > Is doing a migration to VFP 8 the best solution to this issue?
> > >
> > > Hi Neil,
> > >
> > > The Fox team at Microsoft has made a lot of effort to maintain =
backward
> > > compatibility in Visual FoxPro, and in some cases you can run =
Fox2x code
> > in
> > > VFP with few changes. Xbase procedural code is totally reusable. =
Running
> > an
> > > SPR in VFP makes an ugly interface and you're better off re-doing =
the
> > > screens, for example.
> > >
> > > I think most VFP developers would say that the Fox2x to VFP =
converter
> > > doesn't do that great a job. MicroEndeavors had a migration kit =
that has
> > > worked well for some people - see
> > >
http://www.microendeavors.com/courseware/default.asp (my internet =
is
> flaky
> > > right now so I can't verify that this link is still good).
> > >
> > > --=20
> > > Cindy Winegarden MCSD, Microsoft Visual FoxPro MVP
> > > cindy.winegarden@mvps.org www.cindywinegarden.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>=20
>