Being a new century doesn't automatically date older technology (or people). IM working on an old VFP file-based system that is 12 years old. It started as a small database and has now grown to 20Gb with all the attendant issues that involves. But even with that, VFP is holding up well. It is a damned good product especially considering its age and the fact that Microsoft has hardly given it the best treatment. If Bill Gates has started off in xbase instead of Basic we would be using xbase.net now instead of VB.net. Im in the process of trying to move this old app to .net (or at least get approval for it). Im quite happy to move with the times and upgrade but Im a cynical old coot. I like to question why. And I get very suspicious when I can't get a good reason why or even a reason at all. When I first saw XML I was underwhelmed to say the least. With all its hoopla I expected more.
My question was all about WHEN to use XML. The debate that has ensued has proven at least one thing to me. Most of us are still technology-driven rather than result-driven. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Stephen Russell Sent: Thursday, 15 January 2009 9:51 AM To: ProFox Email List Subject: Re: [NF] M$ is pushing ahead for performance On Wed, Jan 14, 2009 at 4:24 PM, Geoff <[email protected]> wrote: > Is there ANYTHING you like or have ever liked about VFP? Would it help if > VFP saved its tables in XML format? ------------------------------------------------------------- Sure back in the 80s and the 90s FoxBase, FoxPro and Visual FoxPro were great. In that time period the competition was dBase and Quicksilver on the xBase space. Paradox and Delphi had their large footprint as well. We also replaced GWBasic with VB3,4,5 and 6. I still liked VFP over VB6!!! and Access. Then a new century came in and old ways evolved into newer replacements. VFP to anything is possible. You can use a variety of back ends and could since the early 90s. Or at least I did. XML is a great container when used properly. Much like all other appliances you might have in your kitchen. Need to open a paint can you could use a knife, a pair of scissors, a can opener, even a screw driver. I have never said that all data must be stored in XML. I did say that to dismiss XML because it is not binary is wrong. XML is great when used properly. Some of the people who have replied to this message seem to be so focused on a single item that they dismiss everything else when someone mentions another. It is like my wife and pain killers, and married to me she needs a lot of them. If I go to the store and buy some other pill outside of Advil Clear jells it is like the sun just eclipsed. Try to tell her that it is the same ibuprofen content in another jell pill and NOOOOOOO. So once again, data is flexible. Try be likewise. -- Stephen Russell Sr. Production Systems Programmer First Horizon Bank Memphis TN 901.246-0159 [excessive quoting removed by server] _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/[email protected] ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
