StrongerFasterEasier

SmootherFriendlier

Better

Purpose• This presentation will be followed by

demonstration of many of the points. • Here we are concerned with the why

and wherefore.• Hopefully we will succeed in

acquainting you with not only what we have done, but why we have done it!

A new Baseline• Microsoft Compiler• New Libraries• 64Bit File System• New File Layouts• Final breakaway from DOS.

Aim of Release• Two targets:

– New Customers– Power Users

• Two kinds of features– Automatic– Development Required

• Stronger– Automated Multi User setup– The return of ‘conflicting user name’– Automated multi-session support– See also

• 64bit file system• New compiler/libraries• No more .ini files• Skip record…

• Faster– Options to deal with a locked record when

searching or browsing – no more waiting!– Compound indices – The return of Default Records– Tabular system forms speed entry, sorting

• And you can flip between them and the traditional kind

– And again • New compiler/libraries (Especially for Web Publisher)• 64bit File System

• Easier– Interactive Editor

• save from anywhere• Next / Previous

– One Key Stroke export to• RTF• HTML• Excel• PDF

– Simpler memo fields • Because we aren’t trying to be backward compatible

• Smoother– More Image types supported

• All current types updated to latest versions – (JPEG progressive, JPEG 2000 , animated GIF etc)

• New types– Flash Pix– Targa– DCX

– Real World Forms– Enhanced Table View

• (Next Slide)– And (oh yes, because of the new libraries)

• Modern Windows standard dialogs

Table View

• Select colours and fonts• Not very exciting, was it?

– But , all these can be picked out:– Overall background, border– Odd and even numbers and backgrounds – Current, new, modified, locked and deleted

records– Save with the style sheet to provide a

distinctive and helpful new look.

The upgrade process

• Upgrade tool provided– As in the old days, eg. 4.2 to 4.5, but now

• Separate utility• Does not affect live database

• From DFW• Can upgrade from anything 5.0 on but…• 6.52 preferred, 6.5x highly recommended

• From DFD• 5.53 preferred, 5.15i highly recommended.

• Will not directly upgrade from Express or DFD prior to 5.0

And now, back to the story…

• Friendlier– The migration/upgrade utility performs a

system health check– Interactive catalog

• More information, permits easier navigation– New and expanded preference dialogs

• Detailed control of options at application and workstation level without use of .ini files

– And (oh dear, he’s back on them again..)• New libraries provide mouse wheel support

And, finally…

•Better!– New controls:

• Tab Control• Multibox Control• Spin Control

– Code audit has resulted in more error checking , less GPFs

– More users, more records– Contemporary technology

Summary

• The opportunity presented by the move to modern tools and the severance from DFD has been seized upon to improve workflow, simplify installation, ease maintenance, and make the product more reliable, not merely to add power.