Re: New Development. Where do we go?
I know this isn't an answer to your question, but my two cents anyway.
Having been in exactly your shoes for the last several years, and 4 apps down, here is my solution.
First I use one of a couple of programs to publish my VFP apps the the web. This allows me to say that my app is web based and allows the clients to launch them using most common browsers from any desktop (Windows, Apple, Linux) and most Tablets. With minimal coding in VFP I can create screens specifically for the tablets and smart phones if necessary.
Next I convert that back end to SQL. I find that the SyBase Advantage database has some specific useful features for some of my projects but if the VFP code was written using Database containers this is also pretty minimal task.
This can all be accomplished in weeks instead of years and allows you to stop hemorrhaging clients to your competitor (if this is problem) or at least immediately allows your users to work from anywhere.
Once having accomplished this you can now start rewriting sections of you product without having to necessarily rewrite it all in one piece.
From there you have to make a choice. There are several good products out on the market such as Westwinds Web Connect that allow you to rewrite the front end in HTML 5 and still leverage you VFP knowledge for the back end. Otherwise for reasons that have as much to do with personnel choices as technological choices we've been using C++ and are quite happy with the results.
Jay
Biting the hand that feeds IT
