>>I am considering using VFP to create GUI front ends to AS/400 physical files via ODBC. I would like feedback from anyone who has used or tried to use VFP with the AS/400. Are there any gotchas? Would I be better off with VB or Powerbuilder?
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>> Steve
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>I think it depends on where the processing will be. Are you going to script any code on the AS/400 or will it just serve as storage? Honestly, I'd try to take advantage of the AS/400 processing speed and write the front end in VB. But if the client will do the processing, then VFP is the tool.


VFP, VB, etc. - there's been a lot of disscusion about front ends lately so I won't dwell on this - just a few other notes:

I hope you can find a faster odbc driver than Client Access that's not "per seat" licensing, if you do let me know. You'll get faster data throughput connecting via TCP/IP, avoid going through the gateway protocols. Needless to say keep your data sets as small as possible and do as much of the processing on the AS400 as possible. The AS400 engine is pretty good at data crunching but it's like a bank with your money - doesn't want to give it up. You know that you can use an NT server as a data mirror to an AS400. Great option if you can get the IS managers to bite - mine didn't, they just bought another AS400 :(. You'll have to curb your SQL syntax to what the AS400 will support.