FoxPro to .NET Migration in 2014

In this Technology era, the need for enhanced applications pose challenges of managing large databases, and the frequent changes in operating system architecture. All these factors in turn make the FoxPro and Visual FoxPro applications difficult to manage. Although, Visual Foxpro is suited for medium scale applications, the future business demands portable and interoperable applications that doesn’t slowdown the business process on multi-user platforms with increased database sizes.

Moreover, FoxPro applications are not equipped to cope with multiple data entry points. Also, Microsoft has announced the end of life for FoxPro and Visual FoxPro and will no longer support VFP, this adds the last nail to FoxPro’s coffin. Consequently, Enterprises are switching to reliable .NET platform for which Microsoft has redirected its development efforts. Let’s discuss the migration strategies for FoxPro to .NET conversion.

When it comes to FoxPro to .NET migration, the developer community had necessitated that some version of the .NET framework needs to be installed for proper functioning of the applications. They also cited that the framework is often big to download and error prone. In most cases, application prerequisites include the framework to be installed. Managing a large application for FoxPro to .NET conversion can be devastating but, if you have a strategy to begin your task in a reasonable and approachable manner it will make for a smoother migration. For a successful application migration, it requires preparation, determination and skilled set of resources. A smoother application conversion requires your resources to be trained in:

            1. Conversion of the application

2. Application Maintenance

3. Enhancement of application for future

When looking for a partner positioned to accomplish this conversion, look for an excellent team of developers experienced in both FoxPro and .NET environment. A company that has a long list of clients for whom they have developed and supported FoxPro, Visual FoxPro, dBase and Visual dBase applications is a necessity. FoxPro to .NET migration can be performed seamlessly with our expertise spanning the legacy VFP applications and also with the .NET technology. We’d recommend installing a most up-to-date FoxPro conversion, assuming your Windows OS supports it.

Most .NET packages support backward compatibility, so an application asking for the 2.0 framework can generally get by with what's packed into the latest version. Be sure that you're current on your Windows Updates, as there may be important system patches that need installing before a FoxPro conversion will fit securely on your system. One foreseeable problem with making a FoxPro conversion is a need for space, even if your system doesn’t make that clear. For example, the 4.0 version of .NET for standard 32-bit Windows systems requires 850 MB of free space on your primary Windows drive; a 64-bit Windows system needs 2 GB free, and Windows typically won't ask you if you have space on another panel to spare.

Discover more about how the process works by reading our other blogs. For more information on our Migration services contact us.

For more information: http://www.migrateto.net/vfp-.net-migration and http://www.migrateto.net