> This is really important thing. On my opinion creation of visual
> components is an absolutely defferent task than creation of db engine
> components. Moreover, all of us know about great visual components
> and Report Builders (DevExpress or FastReprot, for example). By the
> way, why IBO does not contain native IBO report components? If
> consider IBO visual components more effective then IBO MUST contain
> its own report builder components.

WHY re-invent the wheel? FastReport runs perfectly in IBO
mode, and gives all the FastReport features. We have to
debug new releases of FastReport because Alexander can't but
that is no hardship. I use what is available and it works.
Additional money well spent, and something to continue to
build on.

> I understand that creation of own visual components was only the
> way to add direct Interbase API support to Delphi. But it was correct
> for Delphi 2, now we have Delphi 6. Using native IBO visual
> components, I think, is not very good, because developer do not get
> modern visual capabilities. I hope you will not compare functionality
> DevExpress and IBO controls?

I used to use RX Library for some of those tools. I no
longer do, they are all available in one form or another in
IBO, and amending exisiting components to do custom things
has proven useful.

With regards to Grid displays - We have been discussing if
they are suitable for data entry - thats another discussion,
but I am only just STARTING to use some of the embeding
facilities included in IBO, I had not needed them, and in
many cases my customers will not want them. They still
prefer pen and ink <g> - Dos text applications run a lot
faster when you have good data entry clerks.

> No apples :). The core FIBPlus features are oriented on TDataSet
> support in contrast to IBO. So if you purchase FIBPlus you get
> EVERYTHING. If you purchase IBO Dataset-compatible module you get
> only a part of functionality. I do not mean visual contols, of course.

The basic IBO4 package allows any TDataset visual control to
take advantage of IBO's connection and transaction
management. I would probably recommend people who have
experience with those controls to take that route. That is
the 'simple conversion' path. For users who do not have any
experience, then try out IBO Native controls, they take out
a lot of the donkey work and DO give a very professional
result.

> I do not want to say that
> IBO visual control are not professional, but you agree that visual
> components are not the most important part in IBO.

If it was not for IBO3 I would now be using some other
database. Having spent 2 years trying to get IB5
applications stable with BDE, IBO3 and then IB6 fixed all
the problems and we now have 24/7 operation on many sites.
Having pumped a lot of money into Borland and got no return,
all our systems are now running Firebird and I will put any
spare time I can into supporting that, IBO and FastReport. I
have said elsewhere Kylix comes next, but my applications
will be based on IBO.

--
Lester Caine
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L.S.Caine Electronic Services