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View Full Version : Visual DataFlex 11.0 Alpha is released!



Stephen W. Meeley
5-Feb-2005, 05:12 PM
Where to get the Visual DataFlex 11.0 Alpha

Download it at
ftp.dataaccess.com/pub/products/vdf/software/VDF11.0.54.2.Studio.Alpha.e
xe
<ftp://ftp.dataaccess.com/pub/products/vdf/software/VDF11.0.54.2.Studio.
Alpha.exe>

Why you want the Visual DataFlex 11.0 Alpha

* Visual DataFlex 11 supports struct and array variables and
properties. Arrays may be single dimensional or multidimensional, static
or dynamic. They can be based on any data type, including structs.
Structs are used to create complex custom data types. Struct members may
be comprised of any combination of simple data types and complex data
types (i.e., structs may contain other structs). Arrays can be used in
the definition of struct members. Structs and arrays use an industry
standard for syntax for definition and usage. They can be easily added
to existing applications. They are particularly important for creating
and using standards based client-side and server-side web services.
* Significant enhancements to support building Windows and web
applications for SQL-based DBMS servers

* Multi-segment relationships are enabled in the embedded
database and for SQL database servers. This advance helps developers
build applications that model real-world data and make connections to
SQL databases that have multi-segment relationships
* Database tables with alphanumeric primary keys are now
supported (the traditional DataFlex "Recnum" is no longer required).
Most database servers allow Primary Keys to be alphanumeric. This
enhancement enables Visual DataFlex and Web Application Server
applications to connect to a database provided that an alphanumeric or
numeric Primary Key is defined. Recnum support is still provided for
compatibility with existing applications
* Workspaces now support a default database connection
* New Connectivity Wizards to quickly and easily connect
to SQL server
* New Connectivity Kit
* Larger text fields allow more flexibility to use text
from server databases in Visual
DataFlex applications.

* A vastly improved edit class helps to manage text fields.
* A new RichEdit class
* Combo forms in grids
* Much more powerful server-side and client-side web-services
* Debugger enhancements
* Improved compiler error checking
* And more...

As these significant technical changes were implemented, care was taken
to make them easy to use and to integrate with existing Visual DataFlex
applications. Upgrading applications to Visual DataFlex 11 and
transitioning code from prior revisions is, by design, simple and fast.

How to be a Great Alpha Test Site...

* Download and install Visual DataFlex 11.0.
* Post a note in the Alpha Newsgroup
news://news.dataaccess.com/visual-dataflex-11-testing to let us know
you've joined us.
* Read all the Alpha documentation (the entire What's New | Visual
DataFlex 11.0 help book).
* Run and examine the new and updated examples...

* The "Rich Edit with Toolbar" example (in Examples |
Advanced Components) is a great way to get acquainted with the new
RichEdit class.
* All examples that previously used dbEdit controls have
been updated to use the new dbTextEdit controls.
* The Web Services Client Examples include the use of
updated services supporting
* All examples (except Order11_Old) illustrate the RowID
style of code. You can compare Order11 and Order11_Old to see the kinds
of changes that were made to go from renum to RowID style.

* Read all the Alpha documentation (we know you skipped this step
before, so just admit it and really do it this time).
* Got questions or comments after reading all that doc? Visit us
in the Alpha Newsgroup, pick (or create) a topic and discuss.
* If you have an existing Global Subclass layer, import it using
the Global Subclass Import Utility.
* Import existing workspace(s) using the Workspace Import Utility.

* Recompile and test your applications without changing any code
at all. Please note that there are changes to the compiler that may
catch bugs (probably benign, but bugs all the same) in your existing
code.
* As you complete the migration of an application (or even just
major portions), please recap your experience here in the Alpha
Newsgroup.
* Experiment with as much of the new stuff as possible.

Best regards,

Data Access Worldwide