Gary,

I don't think that we are looking for a RAD.

The applications will be licensed to multiple users in North America. I am not too concerned about multiple language support at this time. Intially, native VFP database will be used. Source code would not be shipped with the app.

However, I can see a future requirement to run the applications on the Internet in which case MS SQL as a back-end would be required.

I would prefer to spend the time and money up front for a stable, robust and well documented framework.

As far as our background: A lot of our revenue is derived from supporting, enhancing and writing new code for the Visual AccountMate accounting application. We have also written custom apps that do not directly interface with VAM. I would say that our skill level is intermediate.

I have used the Codebook 2.6 in the past for some older apps and was very frustrated by some bugs. When I called for support (again, years ago)I was told (politely) that the Codebook was a 'methodology' and that I had to fix the bugs myself. I wasn't impressed.

However, I am not going to let the past experiences with the Codebook influence my decision.




>Hi Allan:
>
>>How long have you been using Codemine
>
>Since 1998.
>
>>did you evaluate any other framework before choosing Codemine?
>
>I considered most of the frameworks "on paper". I asked questions of the framework vendors at that time. There was no Wiki comparison back then <s>. To me, Codemine "felt" best. I am very happy with Codemine although sometimes, I naturally wonder what other frameworks would be like. However, with so much going on all of the time, I just wouldn't have the luxury of trying different frameworks to write the same application.
>
>Just a thought to keep hold of. With the odd exception, most developers who have used more than one framework have done so only because their initial choices just didn't work for them. What they end up with is generally the one they should have started with. I started out with Codemine, it exceeded all my expectations and I have never looked back. I guess that says something about Codemine. However, it is fair to say that different frameworks have different strengths and weaknesses. Codemine has only a single builder for its dataenvironment class. Everything you do in Codemine is very similar to working with native fox and you stay very close to the fox. It doesn't have an "application generator". However, you can be incredibly productive because of its excellent design.
>
>If you want an application generator/framework, look at ProMatrix/VFE. If you want Codebook based, look at MM. There are others. It might be helpfull to outline here what your development requirements/inclinations are, your VFP skill level, what type of data you plan to work with, ie., Native or SQL back-end, do you want to write distributed apps from the beginning. Then, doubtless, framework users will chip in with how their particular framework handles these types of issues.
>
>HTH