New PowerBasic User

[Jim Stephenson]

I have been away from the Basic Programming community for a number of years (My last efforts were with Borland's Turbo Basic), doing almost all of my development work now with Magic Software's eDeveloper tools. But, I want to get back into it, and I want to do that with PowerBasic.

I am looking for some advice on how to get started with database programming using PowerBasic. My normal database of choice is Pervasive, but I do have some applications that will also use MS-SQL and MySql.

Does anyone have any good directions they can give me?

Thanks in advance
Jim Stephenson
Stephenson Computer Consulting
Twin Falls, ID

[Joe Byrne]

Hi Jim, welcome back

I'm not familiar with the eDeveloper tools, but if you're experience is in DOS basic, and you're making the jump to Windows, you're in the same boat I was 7 years ago. I'd suggest two paths:

(1) PowerBasic Console Compiler. This is much closer to DOS than the Windows version, but as the name implies, it create console (DOS-like) applications. Its a good way to ease into Windows and creates some great apps as well.

(2) The route I went was with Chris Boss's EZGUI. This is a full-blown RAD tools where you create your forms visually and then use many of the tools in the EZGUI package to create full-feature Windows applications. The way EZGUI functions is much closer to the DOS methods so 'getting your mind around' the Windows way is much easier. Its a tool that you can start with, grow with, and use to learn more about "real" Windows programming (SDK style, far more powerful and portable).

There are lots of other visual designers as well; you can find out lots about them in the 3rd Party forum.

As for databases, the sky's the limit. One of the finest (IMO) free database engines is Tsunami. This is a free-form proprietary engine that is lighting fast and easy to use. Everything is stored in a single file. For xBase systems, you can't do better than Cheetah. For more SQL based systems, SQLTools is probably the best add on. Paul Squires (creator of LOTS of great PB add-ons) is also working on a free (I believe) Client/Server system based on SQLite which is most impressive. I believe Paul recently got married so his roll-out times are a bit, er, longer than usual Better things to do now

But overall, I'd suggest highly that you browse through all the forums here and get a feel for what's up. The PB community is alive and kicking and producing some amazing things!

[Jim Stephenson]

Thanks Joe,

I will look into those. EZGUI looks like it could help a lot with the screen design aspect of things.

For the database side, I really would like to see a working example of an application that uses mulitple linked tables. I have found I work best when I see an example. I can then translate that into what I want to do with my own applications.

Jim

[Roy Benjamin]

I went virtually the same route as Joe and would recommend it to anyone learning. It might cost a little more but it will shorten your learning time.

I have had a lot of experience with Pervasive. SQLTOOLS is the route you want to take as there is nothing new to learn. You need to read SQLTOOLS document file on how to connect to the database and from then on you can use Pervasive's documentation as your reference.

[Paul Squires]

... I believe Paul recently got married so his roll-out times are a bit, er, longer than usual Better things to do now

That's right, got married in October. However, it's been my new job (since last April) that has slowed me down the most with programming. My programming time has been pretty much cut in half. Having said that though, I can feel a few new and updated products from me this year.

[Mike Trader]

Congratulations Paul

[Gösta H. Lovgren-2]

That's right, got married in October. However, it's been my new job (since last April) that has slowed me down the most with programming. My programming time has been pretty much cut in half. Having said that though, I can feel a few new and updated products from me this year.

Any of those "new" projects take 9 months to develop, Paul? {grin}

[Paul Squires]

Any of those "new" projects take 9 months to develop, Paul? {grin}

ha ha ha ha I hope the hell NOT. We're not looking to have any rug rats running around.

[Brice Manuel]

Howdy Jim, Welcome to the PowerBASIC community

[BOB MECHLER]

Hi Jim,

The Tsunami record manager mentioned earlier has an optional call method that is almost exactly like the btrieve(Pervasive) btrcall structure. The company I work for uses Btrieve API in Pervasive 5.0 through 10.0. I can vouch for it's superb performance and I'm sure the free Tsunami would be equal to any task. I plan on using the Tsunami btrieve like call for our SQL version to handle work files on the user personal space or workstation and only put the permanent files on an SQL Server.

Bob Mechler