An update on my progress with WinDev.

I have now developed 4 applications in WinDev 17. I am busy converting existing VFP apps starting from the least complex and working my way up towards our larger applications. They are all smallish apps, nothing overly complex, a few forms, various functionality, etc. but including;

1) Working with data files/tables/indexes
2) Using data file encryption
3) Working with external files and folders e.g. copy, move, all the usual
4) Working with forms/windows/controls/anchoring
5) Working with multiple windows in MDI environment
6) Applying different visual themes
7) Accessing the internet, using HTML controls
8) Downloading and uploading files from the internet
9) Using zip files, encrypting, extracting, etc.
10) Running external programs
11) Multi-threading – e.g. running downloads from the internet in a separate thread
12) 64 bit applications
13) The equivalent of macro substituion
14) Creating, using and deleting temporary cursors/tables

These applications are conversions from existing VFP apps. The work-method I am able to use is virtually a one-to-one model; for every form - create a form in WD, for every procedure - create the same in WD, for every variable - create the same in WD (even global variables). So one doesn’t need to re-think the logic of the existing application (unless you want to of course). Much of the syntax between the languages is either the same or really similar.

My experience is that WD is an awesome product. Complete, extensive. The support from PC Soft is always, every time within 24 hours max and in English (or French if your prefer). The documentation is very extensive, spending a few minutes I will find an answer to every question and usually it’s a built-in existing function that I can just call to do the job. My gut feel is also that the WD version requires about half the lines of code vs. the VFP equivalent. I cannot with conviction say this is for sure as I am also spending quite a lot of time thinking about the VFP app, refactoring, trying to improve/streamline, so that also presumably helps reduce code overhead. But certainly its less code in WD because so much is just built in and functions you can just call. For example, in the four applications done so far, I can now drop these 3rd party tools since its all built into WD:

Amyuni PDF creator
Business Charting library
CD/DVD Burning library
Chilkat FTP
Chilkat SMTP/POP3
Chilkat Encryption
CommandBars – Ribbon bar
Cryptor
DynaZip or zLib compression tools
InstallShield Setup Packager
IPWorks HTTP / FTP and other comm. tools like wwIPStuff
MD5 and other hashing tools
International Toolkit
Molebox or ReFox or other code protectors
String and memo field indexers for full text searching
Report Writer & Query Engine for end-users
Registry functions tools
Theme or Skinning libraries
Transparent form workarounds

HTH