Recently, after spending some time looking at progress's new product releases, I noticed that there is some important and unique changes which implies Progress may try to make a major transition in this roles in business software industry
I would term it a transition towards to business logic product vendor in contrast to the Database product vendor.
10 years ago, I started using progress becuase the my company are using Mfg/pro which sits on Progress. 3 years ago, I managed to become a SAP consutant. Recently, I resumed Mfg/Pro / Progress career, quite rare for an ERP consultant, many friends said I am crazy.
I found the major sucess of SAP lies with its ABAP ( or more accurately SAP basis). It is a business logic development layer independent of any Databases ( it talks to all DB basically through SQL) . It also enables a three tier structure. SAP basis is a scalable robust business logic layer sits between the presentation and DB. However it is not open platform, it is privately owned by SAP.
VB, Java, C++, C#, Delphi is good , but not for developing maintainable business logic. Navisions guys also abratract the C++ to something like java call X++ to develop the Axapta. The benefits of object language is wrongly targeted to solve the business logics. You have layers of clumsy classes to do a piece of simple logic.
Now for business software developer, you either use PL-
SQL at the background for Oracle, or stored procedure for SQL-Server to develop your business solutions. and use VB or Java + sql for front-end ( where is scalablity and cross platform ability? and where is efficiency of business logic development) you know how tedious that can be.
So I guess that is why in recent 10 years we did n't see some great business application appears. I personally think, within the recenly 10 years, while most of effort are placed on interface / archetecture, the industry overlooked business logic which is crux of the business software. That is why we see a lot of products with fancy screens but can not solve your business problems when you spent your money on it.
Come back to Progress, if we only look at the progress ( sonic is another topic), in the market place, I don't see presense of it DB ( although I think its performance is among the best). But as progress develpers, we know progress 4GL (ABL) is very productive, you don't find a comparable language in business logic development ( Please don't mention Java, PL/SQL ). I think a natural direction for Progress will be develop a independent progress 4GL and app server product, like SAP basis which can connect to any DB which support SQL protocal.
4GL language + Application Server + Oracle DB + .net/Java front-end.
Do you know any better archetacture for a business software devleopper.
SAP once was trying to tell all that you need not care what DB your application is running on, you only needs to know it is running on SAP. However as SAP itself is a application development vendor, other application development vendor will only see SAP as an signal of danger rather than business partner.
Progress as an independent infrastructre provider, if it adopts such market direction, It can realise what SAP once dreamed - all business software runs on progress.
To archieve that, progress may consider to seperate its ABL Application server business from its database business.
in 10.1B Progress dataserve now supports all the major DBs, I am not sure if its dataserver + application server + 4 GL can run independently. If it does, I will bet on its future.
Any input or comment is welcome
Willy Song
Shanghai
Now the
I would term it a transition towards to business logic product vendor in contrast to the Database product vendor.
10 years ago, I started using progress becuase the my company are using Mfg/pro which sits on Progress. 3 years ago, I managed to become a SAP consutant. Recently, I resumed Mfg/Pro / Progress career, quite rare for an ERP consultant, many friends said I am crazy.
I found the major sucess of SAP lies with its ABAP ( or more accurately SAP basis). It is a business logic development layer independent of any Databases ( it talks to all DB basically through SQL) . It also enables a three tier structure. SAP basis is a scalable robust business logic layer sits between the presentation and DB. However it is not open platform, it is privately owned by SAP.
VB, Java, C++, C#, Delphi is good , but not for developing maintainable business logic. Navisions guys also abratract the C++ to something like java call X++ to develop the Axapta. The benefits of object language is wrongly targeted to solve the business logics. You have layers of clumsy classes to do a piece of simple logic.
Now for business software developer, you either use PL-
SQL at the background for Oracle, or stored procedure for SQL-Server to develop your business solutions. and use VB or Java + sql for front-end ( where is scalablity and cross platform ability? and where is efficiency of business logic development) you know how tedious that can be.
So I guess that is why in recent 10 years we did n't see some great business application appears. I personally think, within the recenly 10 years, while most of effort are placed on interface / archetecture, the industry overlooked business logic which is crux of the business software. That is why we see a lot of products with fancy screens but can not solve your business problems when you spent your money on it.
Come back to Progress, if we only look at the progress ( sonic is another topic), in the market place, I don't see presense of it DB ( although I think its performance is among the best). But as progress develpers, we know progress 4GL (ABL) is very productive, you don't find a comparable language in business logic development ( Please don't mention Java, PL/SQL ). I think a natural direction for Progress will be develop a independent progress 4GL and app server product, like SAP basis which can connect to any DB which support SQL protocal.
4GL language + Application Server + Oracle DB + .net/Java front-end.
Do you know any better archetacture for a business software devleopper.
SAP once was trying to tell all that you need not care what DB your application is running on, you only needs to know it is running on SAP. However as SAP itself is a application development vendor, other application development vendor will only see SAP as an signal of danger rather than business partner.
Progress as an independent infrastructre provider, if it adopts such market direction, It can realise what SAP once dreamed - all business software runs on progress.
To archieve that, progress may consider to seperate its ABL Application server business from its database business.
in 10.1B Progress dataserve now supports all the major DBs, I am not sure if its dataserver + application server + 4 GL can run independently. If it does, I will bet on its future.
Any input or comment is welcome
Willy Song
Shanghai
Now the