Re: 4GL and ISQL - is it one OR the other?

Kate wrote:- > I developed a small system that was going to be mainly a reporting > system. ISQL seemed fine for this. But now there are a number of things > I'd like to do that I believe I need 4GL for. Is my work in ISQL a waste > or can I use my reports, forms developed with ISQL? > > --Kate > > > Kate, the forms developed for isql can be used with i4gl but 4gl does place some limits on forms functionality. For instance, any before/after field logic in the sql form would need to be replace by 4gl code, and 4gl can only work with single screen forms. You should also consider whether a multi-table sql form needs to be handled in this way by 4GL. On the reporting side you should be able to lift the report from isql and build it into a 4gl report quite easily. However, any conditional logic in the sql report will need to be "converted" from ACE syntax to 4GL syntax, and the sql section in the ACE report will need to be converted into a print driver routine utilising a cursor. I currently run my training courses showing people that they can use sql to prototype forms and reports and even to do a quick delivery of a simple form or report. I then go on to show how this can then be utilised in the 4GL program. Malcolm Weallans Online Database Consultancy Phone 01628-72154 Fax 01628-37463 CIX - onlinedbc