Re: Informix 4GL. A Future?

In article <D76yHv.H0p@massive.its.bldrdoc.gov>, jcantu@its.bldrdoc.gov says most eloquently... [Some portions deleted] > > One thing that drives me absolutely crazy IS the MS Access version of >'SQL.' I'm use to Informix SQL and having to get used to MS Access SQL has >been irritating to put it mildly. MS Access SQL doesn't let you do alot of the >things Informix SQL allows and the implimentation is different a lot of times. Agreed. Here again we have to change our thinking in two areas: 1) Adjusting our minds to available products, and 2) Adjusting our businesses to available products. Access has object-orientation in it. It's consistent with the rest of the horse Bill left at the gate. ( no pun intended ) We have to work with these products on their own terms, but I think MS is responding quickly to user and developer demands. You just don't here about it from INFORMIX. The SQL in Access 2.0 is bits 'n pieces, in an object sense. It takes getting used to, and price/performance it isn't bad. ( You can get hooked into the Access Developer's Kit for $495 if you want to take that next step into real committment. I think this product is going to be here for a while. It offers a way into Win DB with a very clean interface. A reasonable, logical segregation of a data base development system--at a very low price. >Microsoft claims that MS Access SQL is flexible and allows extensions to ANSI >SQL, but all I know is that there are some querks about the MS SQL syntax. I >can't give you any specific examples other than I had trouble doing 'nested' >Selects and you don't always get what you think you should using MS Access SQL. >I found using the graphical query editor easier to use. This is exactly the point to some of the discussion about New Era. ( which is almost a non-product by now :-) I'm evaluating Access, waiting to hit a wall, then it's on to the next one. Each one of these products are going to come up short before it's all over. But the next year of stuff is going to be the real shake out. It's really important NOT to spend a fortune now and watch this emerging market. Evaluate as much as you can without going off the deep end. Or build with products you know will be there. Access 2.0 has come the closest <so far> to what I would expect in a Windows data base development system, and above expectations for the price. It'll improve even more dramatically in the next release. I'm sure there's better, it's just a matter of time to evaluate them. Think about this: If it wasn't for the greatness of the 4GL and the ISQL, we wouldn't know a good or bad product if we saw one. I have to thank INFORMIX for that. \\\\|// (o o) ==============================---o00--(_)--00o---============================ Tim Schaefer http://www.gate.net/~tschaefe The Computer Business Company, Inc. tschaefe@gate.net Coconut Creek, FL, USA DILLIGAF! Ub...eh...Now, see, who gets to ask the questions here? --Ross Perot =============================================================================