Re: Developing Informix Application

Mike Segel wrote: } } Syed wrote: } > We are new to New Era and Informix Online } > Workgroup Server(OWS) as well as crystal report. Our project should } > finish in 3 months time, is that possible for us to finish it within 3 } > months? I afraid, that the learning curve is long, and we might end up } > dragging the project duration. } > } > Any advice and suggestions is much appreciated. } } You may have some problems. } If the screens are simple, then NE drag and drop interface may } save time. However if you are new to OO theory, then you are } basically screwed. } } I would strongly suggest some mentoring. It'll kill your budget, } but hire a mentor like Clem Atkins (Informix), or Billy Wheeler, } (Crazed S.A. who luvs N.E.) } } The key is writing clean business objects. } While this may seem like common sense, the Object class shipped } with Informix has some serious flaws. (The stuff written by some } third party types) An example of this is ixButton and ixPictureButton. } They should really be the same class of an object. The key } is that it was easier to rewrite the class than to modify } the original. } } Also, keep your design simple. Apply the KISS methodology. Once } you have a working app, you can then enhance it. Depending on the } size of your team, you may want to specialize in areas of design. } Split the team into two groups. One working on the GUI, the other } working on the business logic and writing those class objects. } That way the problems in the GUI objects only distract half your } team, and the problems in writing OO code distract your other } half. } } Just my $.02 USD worth. Your mileage may vary depending on the } relative strength of your currency. } } HTH } } -Mikey } } -- } #include <std_disclaimer.h> /* Mike Segel (MS385) */ } #include <No_Spam.h> } #ifdef OFFENDED_BY_CONTENT } The author takes no responsibility for this post. } Any resemblence to a coherent rational thought is purely coincidence. } -The Management. } #endif } ***************************** } Due to AGIS's Refusal to Act Responsibly } We are blocking all of their domains at the packet level. } This block will exist until AGIS modifies their policies to } conform to existing RFCs and net community standards. } } We encourage all ISPs and domain holders to do the same. } ***************************** Well, our development team consists of 5 person, 2 involve in User Interface, 1 in report, 1 in stored procedures and trigers, and myself involve in everthing, including, analysis, design and documentation, as well as defining/creating/maintaining databases. I will get another person (soon) for documentation, so i can spend more time on user interface development and programming as well as creating reports, and refining and pefecting the tables. I spent more time on analysis and design(nearly 4 months) so i know in and out about the design, but i am still doing it, to make sure no any redundant table exist. My tables, dont have any column that can be derived from other columns. As such no redundancy. Earlier on i have about 120 to 130 tables, which i have reduced to about 70 to 80(but it seems that user more impressed with quantity, rather than quality, they think more tables better). And i keep reducing, especially those with super-sub relationship. Yes, you are right, 3 months is very short. I have tried to increase the project duration but the users are not happy. They want it on time(7 months) all together including analysis, design(4 months) and development(3 months). My problem is New Era, because too much of coding involve, espcially when i have to do some customization. How much time should i take to complete such a system? The complexity is average, and system size is medium. Anyway thanks for your advice, i will have to try out with using AFCL and try to increase the project duration. -- ---------- Signature ----------- Name: Syed Ibrahim Address: Sapura Advanced Systems Sdn. Bhd, 18th Floor, Menara Tun Razak, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: (03) 295-3472, (03) 294-3000 Fax: (03) 294-6587, (03) 293-3154