I've just joined your list. I was one of those people hoping for great things from Filemaker 7. We got them - but it got slower. My main work is on a solution that represents data graphically. Already too slow so I am looking for alternatives.
Tried Servoy a bit. Looks promising but still stuck with runtime payments.
Good points: mimics FM, sets up an SQL db and the connection, a database person starts higher up the learning curve. I like the look of Javascript. Got a full response from support team on my problems.
Bad points: Java problems under OS X. Still stuck with runtime payments. Didn't get drawn into coding.
Downloaded RR and worked through the tutorial.
Good points: Interface worked well. Free version lets me play as long as I like.
Not so good (for me): I like concise languages. If they are verbose then they should need no, or little, commenting. The examples have so many comments I can't follow the logic. I have already experienced Applescript and find that its 'Englishness' soon descends into the arcane and opaque.
Downloaded RealBasic, worked through the tutorial.
Good points: Interface prettier. Found myself drawn into coding and experimenting almost immediately (used to love Delphi and would be there now if it ran on OS X). Lot's of database functions.
Not so good: Still Carbon. Can't find aid for setting up SQL connections. Only get 10 days to play before committing.
So, why am I here? First, a hunch. It seems like RR has something going for it. Second, I browsed the archives of this list and liked what I saw.
If you could take the time to consider my questions it might have more influence than on just me. A lot of FM developers are hovering.
Here are some questions:
1. The RR v RB comparison article is way out of date but suggests RB may be the best choice for heavy db work. Is this so?
2. I don't see much written on building front-ends to SQL in RR. Are they out there? Are there any tutorials on this? Is there a connection tutorial?
3. Are there functions, plug-ins, tool-sets to handle complex relationships, entity diagrams, data validation?
4. Icing on the cake? Has anyone already handled converting and documented it?
Thank you for attention and for a lively, open forum,
Norman Winn
_______________________________________________ use-revolution mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-revolution
