Ot; Old Wish list requests
Fairlight
fairlite at fairlite.com
Mon Mar 26 08:47:58 PDT 2018
Yes, the complete lack of any OneGate-related advertising in the last four
or so years certainly speaks to that motive. *eyeroll*
I have multiple clients who use filePro, and I 'get' to code in it myself
now and again. The list is just as much a resource for me now as it was
in 1993.
mark->
On Mon, Mar 26, 2018 at 10:18:57AM -0500, Richard D. Williams via Filepro-list thus spoke:
>
> Well put Wayne.
>
> Why is he even on this list?
>
> Oh yes, he wants to sell One-Gate.
>
> Richard
>
> On 3/26/2018 10:05 AM, Wayne Smith via Filepro-list wrote:
> >In all the years I have seen you try to berate filePro I have yet to see
> >any examples of what you have written. Why don't you just shut that clap
> >trap of yours and let us fp programmers from level novice to expert, get
> >our work done in peace without your criticism of which has never been
> >welcome or useful in any way.
> >
> >Wayne Smith
> >Port Orange. Florida
> >
> ><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
> >
> >On Sun, Mar 25, 2018 at 11:04 PM, Fairlight via Filepro-list <
> >filepro-list at lists.celestial.com> wrote:
> >
> >>In the days when your alternatives were assembly, BASIC, or COBOL, I
> >>suppose it made sense as a low barrier-to-entry language.
> >>
> >>These days, it's a bad time investment. You'd be better off taking the
> >>time to learn something proper like Perl or Python, and develop skills
> >>which are more or less transferrable to other languages.
> >>
> >>I've lost track of the times something went wrong in fP because either the
> >>engine itself was flaky (record locking comes to mind), or because some
> >>obscure part of the language bit someone squarely in the arse. I'm -not-
> >>a fan of strongly typed languages, but fP takes it too far in the other
> >>direction. Combined with the piss-poor syntax checker and abysmal
> >>error reporting, which mis-report your actual issues more often than they
> >>illustrate it correctly, the entire combo is just plain aggravating.
> >>
> >>In all the time I've used filePro, I don't think an error on Index.A has
> >>-ever- ACTUALLY been an error on Index.A. Seriously.
> >>
> >>m->
> >>
> >>
> >>On Sun, Mar 25, 2018 at 11:20:11PM -0400, Richard Kreiss thus spoke:
> >>>Mark,
> >>>
> >>>What I posted was written in 1993 well before PCL6.
> >>>
> >>>I think that the new PDF printing option is their way of compensating for
> >>>the inability of their output program to handle anything but PCL 3 or 5
> >>on
> >>>the Windows platform.
> >>>
> >>>It is not a perfect answer but it does work. I think that PrintWizard
> >>is a
> >>>much better solution as it doesn't need a lot of rewriting and can be
> >>made
> >>>transparent to the user. It also has a lot for flexibility once one
> >>learns
> >>>how to use it.
> >>>
> >>>Again, PDF etc. were not options in 1993.
> >>>
> >>>Also, keep in mind that some of the functions which were added may be
> >>>functions that FP Tech needed to maintain their primary client. I have
> >>>discussed the implementing the Spell Checker with a few of my clients who
> >>>are running versions that have it. None of them wanted it implemented.
> >>>However, I did implement the PDF printing for one client who is also
> >>using
> >>>PrintWizard. They want to be able to have some form letters (with logo)
> >>>either printed or a PDF created from input processing with the ability to
> >>>select the printer. This seemed to be a good place to use filePro's PDF
> >>>creation option.
> >>>
> >>>I know that filePro is not perfect as it is missing a lot of
> >>functionality
> >>>that other databases have but it is still a programming language that
> >>can be
> >>>learned fairly quickly, for doing basic applications. But is capable of
> >>>handling a lot of sophisticated programming. The tools are there, one
> >>just
> >>>needs to work out how to use them properly and when necessary make use of
> >>>other programming languages to fill the gaps.
> >>>
> >>>Richard Kreiss
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>-----Original Message-----
> >>>>From: Filepro-list [mailto:filepro-list-
> >>>>bounces+rkreiss=verizon.net at lists.celestial.com] On Behalf Of
> >>Fairlight
> >>>via
> >>>>Filepro-list
> >>>>Sent: Friday, March 23, 2018 12:42 PM
> >>>>To: filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> >>>>Subject: Re: Ot; Old Wish list requests
> >>>>
> >>>>Hell, how about emulation of PCL5 -> PCL6, so people can buy any old
> >>>printer
> >>>>they want. Finding affordable PCL5 printers has become a challenge in
> >>the
> >>>last
> >>>>decade or so.
> >>>>
> >>>>You'd think that would take precedence over things like...spell
> >>checkers.
> >>>>Also...regex implementation for processing.
> >>>>
> >>>>Of course, most of this is moot except for a few select clients who
> >>>upgraded.
> >>>>The majority of of my clients haven't moved past 5.0.14, nor do they
> >>plan
> >>>to.
> >>>>m->
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>On Thu, Mar 22, 2018 at 06:22:19PM +0000, Richard Kreiss via
> >>Filepro-list
> >>>thus
> >>>>spoke:
> >>>>>I came across this letter to Small Computer from 1993. I think that
> >>>some of
> >>>>the items are still viable requests.
> >>>>>Although some of these have been addressed or are obsolete such as
> >>using
> >>>>WordPerfect print drivers.
> >>>>>One Item - having one key and many data records making header and
> >>detail
> >>>>files easier to handle. I was asked, if memory serves, by Howie how do
> >>>this. My
> >>>>answer was, "you're the programmers".
> >>>>>It might be convenient to have a way of linking a header file to a
> >>data
> >>>file
> >>>>through filePro rather than linking them in programming and using an
> >>>index.
> >>>>Also, it would be convenient to be able to define an output by
> >>assigning
> >>>the each
> >>>>section to a file. As an example the header could be linked directly
> >>to
> >>>the
> >>>>necessary fields in the header file. The detail section could be
> >>linked
> >>>to the data
> >>>>file thereby allow real fields to be used rather than using temporary
> >>>fields or
> >>>>vice-versa.
> >>>>>Most of us would like to have the ability to update records from a
> >>>browse
> >>>>lookup. Yes, I have done this through programming but is a pain to do
> >>>especially
> >>>>getting the popup screen to overlay the browse line properly.
> >>>>>I still would like to have the ability to define a multi-level array
> >>>similar to what
> >>>>one can do in Basic.
> >>>>>Most of these Wishlist items have not been added.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>See letter below:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Richard Kreiss
> >>>>>539 Fairway Drive
> >>>>>Woodmere, New York 11598
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>March 24, 1993
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Small Computer Company
> >>>>>41 Saw Mill River Road.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Hawthorne, New York 10532
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Attention: filePro Wish List
> >>>>>
> >>>>>PRODUCE A MORE COHESIVE MANUAL.
> >>>>> Print one index for all versions 3, 4 and 4.1. It is
> >>almost
> >>>impossible to
> >>>>find anything if you don't recall what version it comes from.
> >>>>> When new commands are added, give more examples of how
> >>to
> >>>use
> >>>>the command.
> >>>>>1. FilePro's Menu: (@once appears to answer this request)
> >>>>> Allow for passing parameters to @pm field by prompting
> >>the
> >>>>>user for a response. This would be similar to prompting for a
> >>>>>qualifier using the -qm option. You might define this a -rm. (I
> >>>>>realize this may conflict with -rm command on Unix/Xenix systems)
> >>>>>
> >>>>>2. Define output:
> >>>>> A. Allow for "Delete Blank Line" control for each
> >>section
> >>>of an output
> >>>>(ie. Header, and each break section).
> >>>>> B. Allow for the defining an absolute line(s) for a
> >>break
> >>>field(s) to begin
> >>>>printing when defining the output rather the in output processing.
> >>This
> >>>is
> >>>>especially true when creating a multi-lines form, such as an invoice,
> >>from
> >>>a
> >>>>header file and a detail files or printing checks.
> >>>>> C. Allow for break fields to be defined in sort/select
> >>>processing.
> >>>>> D. Better control of printers when printing boxes and
> >>>lines on a report
> >>>>or form.
> >>>>> E. Allow for the importing of graphics when printing
> >>>reports and
> >>>>forms. (can be done using print codes)
> >>>>> i.e. Logo's etc
> >>>>>
> >>>>>3. Processing
> >>>>> A. Allow for the defining a specific line for data to
> >>be
> >>>printed at using a
> >>>>print command - @print("47") which would advance the printer to line 47
> >>>and
> >>>>print out the information to be printed. (This command would be
> >>instead of
> >>>or in
> >>>>addition to 2.B).
> >>>>> B. With filePro 4.X's ability to enter 121 character
> >>per
> >>>line, need the
> >>>>ability to send print control code(s) to the printer when printing
> >>>processing
> >>>>tables. This is especially true if one wants to continue to print
> >>>processing tables
> >>>>using 8½x11 paper by using condensed type. Yes, many new printers will
> >>>allow
> >>>>for controlling this function at the printer. However, older printers
> >>>don't make
> >>>>this that easy and some of us are not necessarily sitting at or near
> >>our
> >>>printer.
> >>>>(Without going to the Printer Definition and initialize in condensed
> >>mode
> >>>each
> >>>>time)
> >>>>>
> >>>>>4. Define Files:
> >>>>> A. Allow for the creation of a file which allows for 1
> >>>KEY RECORD to
> >>>>have multiple DATA RECORDS associated with it. This would make it much
> >>>>simpler to handle programs which now require a header file and a detail
> >>>file,
> >>>>which contains multiple records associated with a key field in the
> >>header
> >>>file.
> >>>>> Such programs as order entry and/or invoicing,
> >>which
> >>>may have a
> >>>>large number of line items associated with them would be easier to work
> >>>with.
> >>>>> B. Have a memo field edit which can be used to add
> >>>comments to a
> >>>>record. (Finally available)
> >>>>> C. Add binary field type for graphics display on
> >>screen
> >>>(and outputs).
> >>>>(available but doesn't allow for display)
> >>>>>5. Updating Records:
> >>>>> A. Allow for the updating of multiple records while
> >>using
> >>>browse. This
> >>>>function is available in dBase and some other data base managers and
> >>makes
> >>>it
> >>>>very simple to handle the updating of multiple line items such as
> >>during
> >>>Accounts
> >>>>Payable or Accounts Receivable data payment entry. This would include
> >>>doing
> >>>>processing on each record updated.
> >>>>> B. Allow for full program control of function keys at
> >>the
> >>>field level
> >>>>when using when processing.
> >>>>> C. Allow for the redefining of the function keys when in
> >>>input processing
> >>>>so that when a specific function key is pressed, no matter what field
> >>the
> >>>cursor is
> >>>>in, the action takes place.
> >>>>> D. Allow for multi-level arrays
> >>>>> i.e. dim array ("1","50") = array(1) to array(50)
> >>>defined once or dim
> >>>>array ("1", ct) = array(1) to whatever variable "ct" equals, allowing
> >>for
> >>>variable
> >>>>number of array elements depending on requirements. This would be very
> >>>useful
> >>>>when a header an detail files have been defined and the details are
> >>>entered from
> >>>>the header file and posted to the detail file after all details are
> >>>entered as on
> >>>>order entry.
> >>>>>6. DEFINE PRINTERS
> >>>>> Allow for the entry in the printer definition table, the
> >>>number of
> >>>>characters/inch for the defined font. This information would be used
> >>when
> >>>>"RESOLVING" fields. this would allow for easier alignment of fields
> >>when
> >>>using
> >>>>other than a 10 pitch font.
> >>>>> Make a deal with WordPerfect Corporation to use their
> >>>Printer Drivers.
> >>>>>Modify output programs to use WordPerfect printer drivers. This is
> >>>possible as
> >>>>they have drivers for their programs running all the platforms that
> >>>filePro runs
> >>>>on.
> >>>>> This will allow for the most flexible report generator
> >>for
> >>>any database
> >>>>program. Full use of all printer functions including printing graphics
> >>>would be
> >>>>possible. This is especially true of laser and inkjet printers which
> >>are
> >>>awkward to
> >>>>handle now.
> >>>>>7. Create a "PACK" command option which would look through a
> >>>file and
> >>>>remove blank records. This would be much easier the present multiple
> >>>steps and
> >>>>large amount of disk space which may be necessary currently.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Very truly yours,
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Richard Kreiss
> >>>>>-------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was
> >>>>>scrubbed...
> >>>>>Name: winmail.dat
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> >>>>>Size: 34859 bytes
> >>>>>Desc: not available
> >>>>>URL:
> >>>>><http://mailman.celestial.com/pipermail/filepro-list/
> >>attachments/20180
> >>>>>322/eda324fb/attachment.bin>
> >>>>>_______________________________________________
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> >>>>>
> >>>>--
> >>>>Audio panton, cogito singularis.
> >>>>_______________________________________________
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> >>>
> >>--
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> >>
> >
> >
>
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