>I'm currently working for Galileo Genomics inc, they just hire a new IT director that want to change all Visual FoxPro developepement to JAVA (J2EE).
>
>Did anybody ever do a business case on what would be the best programming tools to work with databases (SQL and ORACLE back-end)? Why would somebody promote JAVA over FoxPro when the entire compagny is running Microsoft product (Back Office suite, Office suite and Visual Studio).
>
>Galileo is not a Web oriented company and need to produce result fast. I really don't understand why JAVA could improve
>-Performance
>-Developement speed
>-Connectivity with Database
>-Cost
>
>The only arguments I can find against VFP is Scalability of Microsoft Back Office and availability of Visual FoxPro resource.
>
>Need any feedback on this topic...

Hi Luc,

Most important to consider. He's the BOSS.

I guess that he exposed his view in his interview for the job. And then he got hired. The question of VFP was probably mentioned somewhere.

Perhaps he's not the only one that wants to flush VFP. Do you really want to fight his decision?

Worst than being the boss is that he's a new boss.

Did he really make it clear that Java would become the new platform? Did he make it clear that this decision was final?

Is that his first major decision? If it is how bad would he look to his employers if one of his first major decisions got dumped. This could become an ego thing. Some bosses are good with that.

Is he old? Have lots of experience? Again ego thing could be a factor here. "I'm the boss, you'll do as I say. With my crystal ball I see the future. Case closed"

If you decide to fight that decision are you alone on your crusade? I hope not.

Do you really have enough influence to reverse a BOSS decision?

This could become a really delicate situation. It's been seen before. Be very very careful on what your moves will be.

I experienced something about a new boss around 25 years ago. It was not my boss but the boss in another department. Many developers could'nt work with that person. So they complained and asked the direction to choose between them or the boss. What do you think happened in that case? They all got fired.

Could your company survive an eventual bad move to go on with Java? If it can then don't protest that much and take the highly probable occasion that will be give to you to learn Java. If it proves after a while to have been a bad move than you'll probably see another change of BOSS not too long after that <g>. The bad part here is that if they hire another boss then he/she could decide to continue with Java and try to prove that Java is really the solution but that the precedent boss did it the wrong way.

So after that situation you'll still have your experience with VFP but also have a new acquired expertise with Java. Which would place you eventually in a better position to find a new job.

So it's up to you to analyze this very very carefully. Be sure to cover all possibilities.

This is like a chess game. To win it you'll have to see many moves ahead.