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From: aa640@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Neil Parks)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: Re: What is missing in Paradox 3.5
Message-ID: <9104180445.AA01554@cwns4.INS.CWRU.Edu>
Date: 18 Apr 91 04:45:15 GMT
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Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: Re: What is missing in Paradox 3.5
 
glenn@welch.jhu.edu (Glenn M. Mason) says:
 
>How about a source generator for forms, reports and tables that will
document
>database structures and provide means for recreating damaged or lost
files?
 
You can document your database structures by using the Tools/Info option
on
the menu.  That creates a "structure" table.  Then you use the
Report/Output
function to copy the structure table to an ASCII file.
 
Write each module of your application as a separate script, and then use
Personal Programmer to generate the menus.  It will also generate full
documentation of the menu hierarchy and all files used.
 
As for recovering damaged files, there is something called a "TUtility"
which
claims to be able to do that.  Happily, I have not had any occasion to
test
that claim.
 
>How about a compiler?
 
That would be nice.  But the "procedure library" is the next best thing.
Store all your source code in the form of procedures, write it into
libraries,
and load it with the "autolib" function.
 
BTW, I was just reading a comparative review of Paradox 3.5 and other
DBMS's
in PC World.  Paradox Runtime costs $49.95.  The competitors who offer
runtime
code charge not less than five hundred bucks.
 
>How about more high level application functions like pop-up dialogs and
>menus, pull-down menu systems, etc.?
 
I guess you haven't tried the Data Entry Toolkit.  Just store the
procedures
in POPUP.SC in a library, and call SetPopUp and PopUp in your
application.  It
is quick and easy.


--
NEIL EDWARD PARKS
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