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From: joe@bram.UUCP (Joe Saladino)
Newsgroups: comp.databases,comp.sys.mac.programmer,comp.sys.mac.apps
Subject: Re: Is 4d (Fourth Dimension) on Mac better than ALL?
Keywords: Oracle 4d Fourth Dimension
Message-ID: <1990Dec28.223155.12781@bram.UUCP>
Date: 28 Dec 90 22:31:55 GMT
References: <19464@netcom.UUCP>
Organization: BRAM Corporation
Lines: 58

lpendley@netcom.UUCP (Lou Pendley) writes:

:the struggle between Oracle and Ingres and Informix continues onward.  what 
:i would like to pose to this forum, is does Fourth Dimension on the Mac have
:'almost' everything the other database systems have, and more, to include:

:a) graphical user interface
:b) procedural language
:c) graphical data types, blobs (lookout Steve McQueen)
:d) complete security
:e) compile to binaries
:f) links to other database vendors, Oracle, Ingres, Informix

:the only limitations i can see currently are:

:a) not SQL standard
:b) not Client/Server architecture.
:c) does it run under A/UX, apples Unix port
:d) currently not portable to other O/S

:your input please.

I had a client who spent 300k developing a system for a mac network
using 4D.  My evaluation of 4D a year and a half before was that 4D
would not cut the mustard.

The result was:

	database of about 100MB
	Single user query over network took about 40+ seconds
	Multi user query over network took up to 2.5 min.

4D is not a multiuser Database.  4D locks the entire database during
things like reports, query, etc.  Only one record can be retrieved at
one time.

My client is now in a lot of pain.  The Macs are not doing the job and
300k in costs.  They are looking at using Oracle for the Mac with 4D
as a front end.  Again there will be more programming costs.

Funny thing is that they went with the Macs because of the graphical
interface.  The users have been telling the programmers to set up hot
keys so they can move around the system better.

When I suggest a 4GL to an organization, I recommend one that has
acceptable performance and is portable to other OSs.  4D just doesn't
meet the standard on a number of fronts.

Just an opinion.

-- 
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