Re: Future of 4/GL

And another tip is that the real information on 4GL at the conference was that Informix is acutally working on new features and facilities. They are resurrecting the tool due to significant user demand. For programming database applications with character based user interfaces there aren't many better tools arround. You just have to be very aware of the fact that there is *no* migration route to GUI programming. Not now, and not in the future. You have to rewrite your whole application to go from 4GL to a true GUI solution. (Yes there are stopgap solutions, but as 4GL programs aren't event driven there is no way you can make them into true GUI programs without a rewrite.) Also be *very* carefull about claiming you will never need a GUI. You may be proven very wrong. Michael Segel <Mikey@NoSpam.KingOfMyDomain.segel.com> wrote: :cburton@gte.net wrote: :> :> On 5 Aug 1997 15:53:23 -0400, sromankiw@execrisk.com (Steve Romankiw) :> wrote: :> :> >We are in the process of developing a prototype system in 4/GL. Before :> >embarking on this task, I thought I heard scuttlebutt at the IIUC that :> >4/GL may be on its way out? Are there any truths to these rumors? :> > :> >Thanks. :> >Steve Romankiw :> > :> > :> :> What I heard from an SE in April was that 4gl and Newerror (NewEra) :> were both maintenance release only, and that Informix was admitting :> their were not able to keep up in the tools war with these products, :> and had decided to become a database vendor. There will still be :> patches, but that is about it. :> :Before you kiss off 4GL, even in a maintenance release, :it will still be powerful. 4GL is great at report writing, :and creating simple yet powerful data entry applications. : :Its all in the design. : :-Just a tip from your Uncle Mikey. Nils.Myklebust@idg.no NM Data AS, P.O.Box 9090 Gronland, N-0133 Oslo, Norway My opinions are those of my company The Informix FAQ is at http://www.iiug.org