Re: Conversion Tools Needs for SQL FORMS

"Structured Technologies, Inc." <pc_at_struct.com> wrote:

>I have been asked to convert an existing oracle Forms 2.3 application to
>use Forms 4.5.
>
>The application is UNIX based on users use DUMB terminals to run the char
>mode screen.
>
>1) are there any tools available that will take 2.3 and migrate to 3.x and
>then to 4.x
>
>2) 4.5 forms is designed for a client server type application, but can it
>be used via DUMB terminal (vt100, vt220, etc) in char mode
>
>Any help would be appreciated.
>
>PC
>=========
>pc_at_struct.com
>Structured Technologies, Inc
>=========

We are in the process of converting Forms 3.0 to character 4.5, having originated at 2.3 a few years ago. We are at present Solaris 2.4, database 7.2.3 and Forms 4.5.7, with a suite of 560 forms using vt100 terminals ans Win95 development.

Of the two steps, the 2.3 to 3 is the most time consuming - for that we used the Kumaran converter - http://www.kumaran.com/ which paid for itself (at the time we had 360 forms).

The 3 to 4.5 character has no converter (character not being too popular), but the tools supplied by Oracle are sufficient, when used with care. (The Kumaran converter here is to graphical 4.5)

Be aware of several things -
1. In 2.3, all the code was in the form, in 3 and to a larger extent, in 4.5, the idea is to use stored procedures, database triggers and other things like database constraints. That is, to have as little code as possible in the form. Code is ripped from forms in large chunks during such a conversion.
2, It is possible to use ver 2 format triggers all the way to 4.5 Do NOT do this. Using the Kumaran converter, will convert most code from ver 2 to ver 3. It will not do everything because of the round-about way that things had to be done in 2.3 but doing the task by hand is VERY time consuming. If you do this by hand, all time spent simplifying the form will be worht bonus points in the 3 to 4.5 stage.
3. The manuals for 4.5 say it is possible to have conditional code in your 4.5 (if character do this, if graphical do that). Do NOT do this. Avoid any 'graphical' code.
4 There are no character forms tools. The designer/developer interface is graphical only (Win 3.11, Win 95, or Motif - avoid Motif). Things will work fine in the graphical developer and not in character mode - this requires some programmer magic and an avoidance of 'cute' code. 5 Character 4.5 forms (being closer to 3.0 than 4.5 graphical) will have to be re-converted if your intention is to ever go graphical. The general concensus is to either avoid character in the first place or re-write when you get to that step.
6 Be aware that there are very few 4.5 character sites. Oracle support is helpful, but there experience is mainly graphical, so don't expect immediate response.
7 The magic word is simplify. Simplify your code in each stage. Make heavy use of plsql procedures.

Good Luck!!
Thomas R Skinner
Allgas Energy Ltd
('Fixed in the next release') Received on Sat Jan 25 1997 - 00:00:00 CET