This topic is probably not worth debating, but I'll try to add some
points from my view to resolve it. :) I did a large real-time
application that was used for public safety dispatch systems, like
police, fire, highway patrol, etc. for walkie talkies and vehicle radios
can communicate. I mostly did real-time programming similar to C++,
about 150,000 lines worth that was mission critical involving direct
communications to hardware and I created my own networking protocols,
video drivers with Intel integrated circuits, etc. I then used FoxPro
2.0 DOS on the front end for a programmable touch screen interface. I
was purchased by the California Highway Patrol as well as many other
agencies in the U.S., and it competed with Motorola. I was the only
programmer, and there were 2 electrical engineers at the company. I
believe the Calif Highway Patrol app is still in use today, and I've
seen it on TV twice. =20
But, while I did build a few accounting like applications using both
FoxPro (foundation READ) and Visual FoxPro, I never did get into
building "typical" FoxPro applications. Since the early 90s, I've
almost all of my software development has been on developer tools, not
typical applications. I have created less than 50 SELECT statements and
less than 30 reports with the VFP report writer since I started using
FoxBase in 1986. Things like GenScrnX, BuilderB/BuilderD, SuperCls,
WebExplorerX, ScreenX, and stuff that is included in VFP such as the
Class Browser, Component Gallery, the VFP Transformer, GenHTML,
designing language stuff such as EXECSCRIPT(), ALINES(), and many
others. I did build an interesting web app that came free with VS 6.0
called ATS (Anomaly Tracking System) using DHTML, ADO, RDS, VFP, IE,
etc. But I haven't been doing software development for over 4 years,
since early 1999.
So for typical VFP "business apps", JVP is right, that is not what I
have ever done, but for tools, Woody has some good points. But the
original issue was a degree, and I didn't finish my last year at Calif
State Univ Northridge so I could instead pursue job opportunities.
Since then I have had 3 jobs as a software developer and 3 jobs in
technical marketing/business, and never did not having that degree
hinder my efforts, it was always my background, experience, etc., and
I've never been turned down a job I pursed. But I still think that is
due to the fact I was into software development just going into the 90s
when PCs were evolving and many of the students in universities knew
more than the teachers. I think a degree matters much more now than 12+
years ago for software development jobs.
=20
Ken Levy
VS Data Product Manager
Microsoft
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject:RE: VFP Guru wanted
Author:john.v.petersen AT comcast DOT net
Posted:2003/09/30 09:42:00
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No Woody - there you go again.
I made the clear distinction between tools and applications. In no way
did I=20
disparage any contribution Ken has made to the community. I reject and
dispute=20
any attempt on your part to spin what I said to suit your agenda.
When it comes to tools - hands down - Ken is one of the best. Tools
however,=20
is/was not the focal point of my point.
Please take time to read and understand a point of view before
responding - or=20
in your place - attacking that point of view... < s >...
< JVP >
Woody wrote:
Hi John,
here you go again. Ken was (is?) a genious programmer. It seems you =3D
haven't
been at the 1992 DevCon... (That was the first one from MS, in Downtown
Phoenix,AZ, with 2500 attendees). Ken was there in the Vendors room and
showed a Emergency Tracking System. (This was FoxPro/DOS btw), which was
basically an event-based interpreter (written in an interpreter <g>). He
=3D
had
differently colored windows as buttons for seperate actions and was able
=3D
to
move them around and attach them with different actions etc. It =3D
controlled
all the alarm lines, hardware etc.
And it was the first showoff from Ken, and he even got Kudos from =3D
Dr.Dave
("I didn't imagine that you can do this with FoxPro!") and BillG.
Later on, the GenScrnX and several drivers (like DragDrop etc) emergered
from that work.
Servus
wOOdy
©2003 Ken Levy |
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