Web App Develop. Question

[Jim McDermott]

A client I provide lan support to posed a web app question I'm not qualified
to
answer....

They build OEM mechanisms to order from an assortment of stock parts - I
know this is a stretch, but kind of like autos. You pick a base model, then
make a engine selection, then select color, etc. Of course, each subsequent
choice is predicated on the previous choice, narrowing and defining the item
as you go. Tables of validated choices pulldown as required. They are
interested in an app that can run over the web AND might be available for CD
distribution.

Years ago I wrote a DOS app in Clipper (FoxPro) that did something like this
for a different client. Had different tables of items validated based on
choices. I've been out of the programming circle for a few years, but I
was curious what development platform would satisfy this sort of app.

- Needs to run over the web and stand-alone Win app.
- Tables relatively easy to maintain through a standard spreadsheet/database
app (.XLS/.DBF/Access)
- App would run from a hosted web server - not in house box

And of course, fast, reliable and easy to learn! ;o) I've worked with
Visual FoxPro 6, Visual Basic 3 but don't care to learn C at my advanced
years.

Any suggestions on the rapid development platform I could use to create
this?

Thanks!

Jim McDermott

[CJ Taylor]

Wow.... Loaded question... I'll do my best to answer it.
"Jim McDermott" <ji*@marketingdynamics.com> wrote in message
news:Ol*************@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

A client I provide lan support to posed a web app question I'm not qualified to
answer....

At least your honest with that... too many people just "jump" into things.
Nice job Jim.
They build OEM mechanisms to order from an assortment of stock parts - I
know this is a stretch, but kind of like autos. You pick a base model, then make a engine selection, then select color, etc. Of course, each subsequent choice is predicated on the previous choice, narrowing and defining the item as you go. Tables of validated choices pulldown as required. They are
interested in an app that can run over the web AND might be available for CD distribution.

Considering you are considering 2 distribution methods on 2 different
platofrms "quick and dirty" isn't going to be the answer ESPECIALLY if you
want to maintain this over the years.

Your looking into an enterprise framework, where you basically have 5
layers, UI, Business Facade, Business Logic, Data Logic and Access, System
Framework.

The UI is divided into two more layers, WinUI and WebUI (appreciate this MS,
I'm promoting your Enterprise Architect Framework). I think you can deduct
what those are. Now these just do presentation logic (and thats it..) which
they get the data from the presentation logic from the Business Facade
layer, that formats the data given to it from the Business Logic LAyer,
which does all the processing from data retrieved from the DataAccess Layer,
and it gets some of its information (like how to retreive etc) from the
System Framework layer.

So, if you can design around this concept, that is build your business logic
separate from your presentation and Data (well, you *could* combine BLL and
Dataaccess, but might get a little cramped and some updates will be a little
tougher than you want) you will be able to deploy to both the web and winui,
and if you have changes in data or logic, your not scraping through 2
separate applications fixing problems.

Good examples of how this work are Duwamish 7.0 and Fitch & Mather. They
don't expose the WinUI as much, but they do a great job showing the web ui
(which you can deduct how to do the winui off it).

So this is a perfect implementation of the EA Framework from microsoft.

HOWEVER... now we wanswer the "other" questions
Years ago I wrote a DOS app in Clipper (FoxPro) that did something like this for a different client. Had different tables of items validated based on
choices. I've been out of the programming circle for a few years, but I
was curious what development platform would satisfy this sort of app.

Foxpro could... but who wants to, its slow, full of kludges and reminds you
of that one aunt you don't like. You know, the kind you know she's there,
you acknolodge it, but if she didn't show up to Christmas, you would be fine
with that....forever...
- Needs to run over the web and stand-alone Win app.
- Tables relatively easy to maintain through a standard spreadsheet/database app (.XLS/.DBF/Access)
- App would run from a hosted web server - not in house box

The App? Web App or Both? You can use reflection to grab DLL's off a
website, but, you can imagine the questions you have to ask with that
(however, deployment is cake that way).

2) Excel sheets are slow. you have to use the COM interop to talk to them.
Not that its that bad, but when you could use something like SQL.. your in a
better position.
And of course, fast, reliable and easy to learn! ;o) I've worked with
Visual FoxPro 6, Visual Basic 3 but don't care to learn C at my advanced
years.

Unless your a linux geek (no fights please) no need to use C. You could use
C# or C++.NET, but it doesn't matter. VB.NEt is fine.
Any suggestions on the rapid development platform I could use to create
this?
For this? Rapid? and no offense but an inexperienced programmer, there
will be nothing rapid about it. My suggestion, if you want to deploy
something good, find a seasoned programmer to work for you on contract only
(1099 Corp to Corp), and design it from the user perspective of what you
want it to do. Good detailed specs, and then make someone else do all the
hard work for you. You look good, the company is happy, your programmer is
happy because he actually made some extra money, and your business continues
to grow.

Let me know if you have questions.

-CJ

Thanks!

Jim McDermott