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From: steve@violet.berkeley.edu (Steve Goldfield)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: Re: Looking for McMax, Ingres for Mac
Message-ID: <1990Aug14.184417.26659@agate.berkeley.edu>
Date: 14 Aug 90 18:44:17 GMT
References: <1990Aug7.132933.3413@ra.src.umd.edu> <1990Aug14.211042.2058@vaxa.cc.uwa.oz.au>
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In article <1990Aug14.211042.2058@vaxa.cc.uwa.oz.au> a_dent@vaxa.cc.uwa.oz.au writes:
#>In article <1990Aug7.132933.3413@ra.src.umd.edu>, 
#>jaya@ra.src.umd.edu (Jayanti S. Kanal) writes:
#>> 
#>> text, so I am posting it again.)
#>> I am looking for 2 pieces of database software, to be used for unrelated 
#>> purposes.
#>> 1.  I need a program for the Mac that can take dBase III+ code and a .dbf file
#>> created on an IBM PC type machine, execute the dBase code and allow us to 
#>> add data to the database, and save the results in a format that can be sent
#>> back to the PC.  The PC files are located in another organization - we must
#>> use their forms & structure and create records that can be sent back to them -
#>> basically we are filling out an electronic questionnaire.  FoxBase for the Mac
#>> and McMax have been mentioned as possibilities.  Has anyone out there used 
#>> these packages successfully with code written in dBase III + on a PC? McMax is
#>> said to work, but I am not familiar with the software - does anyone have info
#>> or a recomendation regarding McMax?
#>
#>FoxBase+/Mac definitely works.  I have a hearsay negative reaction to McMax
#>from someone whose opinion I respect - Mc Max stinks by comparison
#>
#>> Thanks in advance for any information.  E-mail to jaya@ra.src.umd.edu (with
#>
#>Sorry for posting - I can't send mail.
#>
#>> Jaya Kanal, Systems Research Center, U of MD College Park

I've used both programs, though much more McMax than FoxBase.
I must admit that I was very disappointed with FoxBase. I found
it very inconvenient to use because it is so menu-driven.
Certainly, it does implement Mac interface facilities much more
and better than McMax does, but if all you want is a straight
dBASE III+ interpreter, you might prefer McMax, which is also
cheaper. McMax is an extension of dBASE III+ (for instance,
it permits more variables than the original or than FoxBase,
for that matter, which is also an extension). I also didn't
like the way FoxBase took over my McMax programs like a virus.
It changed the file type so that McMax could no longer run
them. Converting from McMax to FoxBase was thus quite painful.

I haven't run dBASE III+ from a PC. I have converted dBASE II
code to dBASE III+ on a PC and then run it without too many
changes in McMax. Ditto for FoxBase. I've also manually converted
dBASE II to McMax.

FoxBase is slightly faster than McMax according to benchmarking
in MacWorld. It is more widely used and thus better-supported.
Still, I think it is overkill to say that McMax "stinks." It does
what it says it will do quite well. I've been running databases
in McMax for about three years now without many problems. FoxBase
does offer a networked version; McMax doesn't so far.

If you basically just want to run dBASE III+ code, McMax will do
it. There is a university price direct from Nantucket. If you
want the full Mac implementation, however, you will need
FoxBase.

Steve Goldfield