Help on writing multi-DBMS platform apps.

Hello I work for a company that writes add-ons/modifications to a package which includes Sales Order Processing Purchase Order Processing Manufacturing Financials It contains > 500 tables. It can be on a number of platforms (UNIX or NT) MS-SQLServer, Informix-SE, Informix Online, Oracle, or C-ISAM files. Unfortunately , each of these platforms have slightly different table schemas. e.g. Some use 8 character dates instead of DateTime variables, the table names may be different, some fields may even have slightly different names (rare). In the SQLServer edition there is an extra field which holds an id to spread the data in the table in a non chronological format (to reduce effects of page locking). All the above issues are out of our control. We do not have a say in the design of the tables or layouts so we can't simply ensure all platforms use identical data-types, field names or table names. Our main Windows development tool is Delphi C/S v3 (probably moving to v4 soon). Does anybody know what the best solution for developing in this kind of environment. Would a data dictionary help, if so how?. Should there be some kind of middle-ware which sits between the application and the databases to map fields correctly for each DBMS. Would MIDAS help? CASE tools? At the moment we write a version of each program for a particular platform. If it is needed on another then we have to rework it. I'm sure other companies have to work in similar environments. I would be very grateful if you have any solutions to the problem. I'm open to suggestions. Munsoor Negyal -----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==----- http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp Create Your Own Free Member Forum