Re: ESQL/C + GX

alex@aureus.sublink.org (Sandro Doro) writes: ->From: alex@aureus.sublink.org (Sandro Doro) ->Subject: ESQL/C + GX ->Date: 12 Jan 93 15:07:22 GMT ->Reply-To: alex@aureus.sublink.org (Sandro Doro) ->Organization: Sublink Network, Venice - Italy -> ->This msg was posted a few week ago but with no response... -> ->Ciao, I am using r6000 with Aix 3.2 and Informix 4.1 ->I'll work in ESQL/C but I want to use the forms ->of 4GL/GX (with X-window plus Motif). It's possible? (hard?) ->Is a good move to add graphical interface ? -> ->Any answer would be much appreciated. ->Thanks guys! -> ->-- ->Sandro Doro (alex@aureus.sublink.org) ->Impact System Eng. - Italy - Venice alan@den.mmc.com (Alan Popiel) replies: Sorry, Sandro, the system you describe is NOT easy, and maybe even not possible at this time. 4GL/GX is specifically an alternate runner for interpreted (Rapid Develop- ment System - RDS) Informix-4GL. Its value lies in putting a graphical face on a 4GL (not ESQL/C) application that was written for a character interface. The closest you could get to what you are asking for is: 1. Use Informix-4GL (RDS) to build your front end: Menus, forms, etc. Then have the front end call your ESQL/C subroutines. 2. Use ESQL/C to do the bulk of your processing. 3. Modify the 4GL/GX runner to incorporate your ESQL/C subroutines into its library. Rebuilding the 4GL runner is (sort of) standard practice for the character mode 4GL, but it is not trivial. Also, I do not know whether it is supported for 4GL/GX. Some general notes on 4GL/GX, from my experience working on a 4GL/GX beta test site: 1. 4GL/GX does an *excellent* job of converting ring menus to button bars. 2. 4GL/GX does a good job of translating forms from character to graphical. Fields look good, and have a 3D effect. OPEN WINDOW ... ATTRIBUTE (BORDER) gives a very nice 3D box effect. However, aspect ratio is changed during conversion; graphical froms are "taller" than their character counterparts. 3. PROMPT messages look good, but the associated input field does not look good to me. This is a personal preference, but I think the real problem is that the PROMPT command does not convert well into the graphical paradigm. 4. 4GL/GX still has some minor performance problems. The most striking is with DISPLAY ARRAY and INPUT ARRAY. Informix is working on it, and making great strides. I am honored that they are using one of my applications as a test case for this. Regards, Alan +------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | R. Alan Popiel | Internet: alan@den.mmc.com | | Martin Marietta, LSC | ( Please note: My opinions do not ) | | P.O. Box 179, M/S 5422 | ( represent official Martin policy. ) | | Denver, Colorado 80201-0179 | Voice: 303-977-9998 | +------------------------------+---------------------------------------+