>I have a potential client that I need to convince to move from Clipper to VFP (or I don't get the job!). The programmers are predisposed to moving to Delphi/Oracle.
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>They process millions of billing records each week and spit out reports. I don't think any single batch approaches 2 gigs but I'm sure historical data is huge. They eventually want to move to a web delivery system and do not offer shrink-wrapped software to customers - no UI issues. They crunch data and spit out reports.
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>It sounds like a job for VFP and a backend for historical data. My problem is that I do not know enough about Delphi to speak intelligently about it, and why VFP would be a better choice.
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>Obviously, the programmer know Clipper so the learning curve would be easier. The Command Window would come in handy for quick browses. Tahoe = middleware.
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>What else?
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>Thanks for the help..

VFP performance comes to mind. I don't write much in Delphi, but gotta admit that for someone with NO programming experience, a person could probably come up with a "program" more quickly in Delphi than in VFP. Delphi is extrememly object-oriented to the point of having "methods" appear as invisible graphical objects in forms, e.g. COPYFILE with attributes of Source and Target which allows for extremely easy data conversions, such as Source as a Paradox style table ( remember Delphi is from Borland, home of Paradox too ) and Target is xbase table. The Delphi Progress bar object can be linked to the number of records in a table and the current record number, as the two most important properties.

VFP's strengths are in multi-user, extremely fast data access and maintenance. Its prime weakness ( in my opinion ) is its very versatility -- you can stick with the RAD, but buggy WIZARDS or develop some mighty powerful applications with as much Object orientation as you want. If you are interested, you might look at QUOTEDESK.COM and request a 30 day free demo. This is a transaction count and time limited full running single user version of Quote Desk 32. Take a look, the capabilities demonstrate in a real-world application what can be done.