Suggestions on front end development tools

[Doug Broadwell]

I'm getting ready to start a fairly large application to be hosted on
SQL-Server. In the past I have used Access 2002 (as a front end, wasn't
happy with the number of bugs I ran into), PowerBuilder 6.5, Oracle Forms 7
years ago (also no happy with the number of bugs). I was curious what the
state of the art was these days and what current recommendations were for
4GL type of development tools.

Thanks,
Doug Broadwell

[-P-]

"Doug Broadwell" <Do**@DbaAssociates.com> wrote in message news:rt**************@bcandid.telisphere.com...

I'm getting ready to start a fairly large application to be hosted on
SQL-Server. In the past I have used Access 2002 (as a front end, wasn't
happy with the number of bugs I ran into), PowerBuilder 6.5, Oracle Forms 7
years ago (also no happy with the number of bugs). I was curious what the
state of the art was these days and what current recommendations were for
4GL type of development tools.

Thanks,
Doug Broadwell

Take a look at PowerBuilder again - still the best tool for client application development to a relational database.
The current released version is 10.0.

http://www.sybase.com/products/devel...n/powerbuilder

--
Paul Horan
Sr. Architect
VCI Springfield, Mass

[John Bell]

Hi

You should evaluate the requirements along with the tool to be used. As SQL
Server is the back end Oracle Forms may well be a non-starter, but I think
you should also add Delphi, VB.net and possibly Dreamweaver/Coldfusion
(which may therefore mean other web based development environments should be
included) to the list.

John

"Doug Broadwell" <Do**@DbaAssociates.com> wrote in message
news:rt**************@bcandid.telisphere.com...

I'm getting ready to start a fairly large application to be hosted on
SQL-Server. In the past I have used Access 2002 (as a front end, wasn't
happy with the number of bugs I ran into), PowerBuilder 6.5, Oracle Forms 7 years ago (also no happy with the number of bugs). I was curious what the
state of the art was these days and what current recommendations were for
4GL type of development tools.

Thanks,
Doug Broadwell

[JonnyD]

Hello Doug,

I suggest you look at IAB Studio from www.worcsnet.com. It is a rich
internet application development tool, which is WAY better than
powerbuilder or oracle forms for web development. In fact, it can do
for web apps all the things powerbuilder/Oracle Forms can for desktop
apps; web applications created in IAB Studio are even more powerful
than PB apps - it's hard to believe, but that's true.
Basically it allows to create web applications, which are as powerful
as desktop ones, and have as good performance. It is extremely easy to
use - alot easier than PB. The best part, you do not have to know much
about web development - this tool is client side control based, which
means that you create applications the same way as in PB or oracle
forms - ie using client side controls and developing simple client
side event handlers. Give it a try, in several days you will be
creating very functional web applications. It has lots of controls and
features; I especially like data management and reporting control - it
can do all that datawindow can, it has a visual designer, charts,
computed fields, etc. The funny thing is that it all runs in a
browser;
I downloaded it from www.worcsnet.com;
"-P-" <en**********@hotmail.DOTcom> wrote in message news:<Os********************@adelphia.com>...

"Doug Broadwell" <Do**@DbaAssociates.com> wrote in message news:rt**************@bcandid.telisphere.com...

I'm getting ready to start a fairly large application to be hosted on
SQL-Server. In the past I have used Access 2002 (as a front end, wasn't
happy with the number of bugs I ran into), PowerBuilder 6.5, Oracle Forms 7
years ago (also no happy with the number of bugs). I was curious what the
state of the art was these days and what current recommendations were for
4GL type of development tools.

Thanks,
Doug Broadwell

Take a look at PowerBuilder again - still the best tool for client application development to a relational database.
The current released version is 10.0.

http://www.sybase.com/products/devel...n/powerbuilder

[Don]

borland Delphi :)

"Doug Broadwell" <Do**@DbaAssociates.com> wrote in message news:<rt**************@bcandid.telisphere.com>...

I'm getting ready to start a fairly large application to be hosted on
SQL-Server. In the past I have used Access 2002 (as a front end, wasn't
happy with the number of bugs I ran into), PowerBuilder 6.5, Oracle Forms 7
years ago (also no happy with the number of bugs). I was curious what the
state of the art was these days and what current recommendations were for
4GL type of development tools.

Thanks,
Doug Broadwell

[Ryan]

I use Delphi 5 as my main development language and sometimes VB or
Access depending on requirements, but at the end of the day, the task
should define the tools needed.

First find out what you want to achieve and this will lead you to
select the appropriate 'type' of development tool. From there, you
will undoubtedly have a lot of choice, but it's a start. If starting
with a new development tool, try to choose one that a lot of people
use / discuss in various forums (like this one), so you can get some
help when needed. I can recommend :

Delphi

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...al.delphi.misc

Access

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...ases.ms-access

or

www.mvps.org/access

HTH

Ryan

ir****@yahoo.com (Don) wrote in message news:<99**************************@posting.google. com>...

borland Delphi :)

"Doug Broadwell" <Do**@DbaAssociates.com> wrote in message news:<rt**************@bcandid.telisphere.com>...

I'm getting ready to start a fairly large application to be hosted on
SQL-Server. In the past I have used Access 2002 (as a front end, wasn't
happy with the number of bugs I ran into), PowerBuilder 6.5, Oracle Forms 7
years ago (also no happy with the number of bugs). I was curious what the
state of the art was these days and what current recommendations were for
4GL type of development tools.

Thanks,
Doug Broadwell