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1992-08-12
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PRODUCT : Paradox, dBASE NUMBER : 487
VERSION : All
OS : DOS
DATE : August 12, 1992 PAGE : 1/8
TITLE : Paradox versus dBASE -- Which one is for me?
Intended Audience:
Anyone who is currently using Paradox or dBASE as their database
standard and is concerned about the support and future of dBASE.
Purpose:
This technical information sheet gives a description of Borland's
stance regarding support of Paradox and dBASE, and the future of
these products. It also answers questions for users as to which
database users should use: Paradox or Dbase.
Overview
Borland offers two of the most popular and powerful database
programs in the world: dBASE IV and Paradox. Both can deliver
effective business solutions, both are backed by Borland's
reputation for technical excellence and customer satisfaction,
and Borland is committed to supporting and providing future DOS
and Windows upgrades for both dBASE and Paradox.
Borland is also committed to continuing product development and
enhancements to both dBASE and Paradox. Borland believes that
both of these user communities deserve consistent and reliable
products independently, even though dBASE and Paradox can solve
similar database problems. To ensure customer satisfaction from
both user communities, Borland cannot expect users to be
retrained or converted to one or the other database, but must
provide significant product changes and enhancements to both
products.
So, what are dBASE and Paradox on DOS?
dBASE IV is the worldwide standard in data management and
application development. Paradox provides an award-winning
combination of database power and ease of use in a single data
management product. Both products meet database management needs
for today's businesses from a single vendor source.
And on Windows...
The dBASE for Windows, compiler and software development kit
(SDK), and Paradox for Windows have a new architecture that is
PRODUCT : Paradox, dBASE NUMBER : 487
VERSION : All
OS : DOS
DATE : August 12, 1992 PAGE : 2/8
TITLE : Paradox versus dBASE -- Which one is for me?
designed to provide higher levels of interoperability than ever
before. dBASE for Windows SDK provides developers with an
application development environment for building and compiling
sophisticated dBASE language applications. Paradox for Windows
gives interactive database users and application developers a
complete set of object-oriented tools, including form, report,
and query designers, plus a development environment that takes
full advantage of Windows.
Both incorporate the powerful new Interbase Local Engine that
brings higher levels of data access power, including seamless
connectivity to dBASE, Paradox, and SQL data. In addition, both
have complementary data-file and application level
interoperability for corporate usage.
Choosing a Database on DOS
Generally for the DOS platform, the factors you should consider
in your decision to use dBASE IV or Paradox are:
o Do you already know or use one of the programs?
o Do you have access to data files in one format or the
other?
o What dBASE or Paradox resources do you have available?
dBASE IV or Paradox in use
The most important factor in your decision to use dBASE IV or
Paradox is whether or not you are already using one program or
the other. If you currently own or use one of these Borland
database products, we recommend you continue using it.
Regardless of which Borland database product you are currently
using, you have made an investment in the cost of the program
itself, any database applications you have developed, third-party
add-on tools, data you have collected in one format or the other,
and the time you have spent learning to use the program. Borland
is committed to preserving and protecting your investment,
whether it is dBASE IV or Paradox.
PRODUCT : Paradox, dBASE NUMBER : 487
VERSION : All
OS : DOS
DATE : August 12, 1992 PAGE : 3/8
TITLE : Paradox versus dBASE -- Which one is for me?
If you are considering changing from dBASE IV to Paradox because
you expect Borland may provide better support for Paradox, you
can rest assured this is not necessary. Borland is committed to
dBASE IV and dBASE IV customers by delivering better technology
and better support and by giving you dBASE IV upgrades with more
features in less time.
dBASE IV or Paradox data access
Even if you do not own or use dBASE IV or Paradox, you may have
access to data stored in dBASE or Paradox data files. For
example, you may have compiled dBASE IV programs or Paradox
runtime applications and need to query their data files to create
custom reports. dBASE and Paradox data file formats are industry
standard, and many popular programs store their data in one of
these two formats.
Often, companies have a large investment in the data they have
collected; mailing lists, accounting information, etc. If you
have access to data in dBASE files, we recommend you choose dBASE
IV. Similarly, if much of the data you need to access is in
Paradox tables, we recommend you choose Paradox.
dBASE IV or Paradox resources
If you are not currently using either dBASE IV or Paradox, and
do not have data in dBASE or Paradox data files, take a look at
the resources you have available. By resources, we mean:
Expertise. Are you or other members of your organization already
familiar with dBASE IV or Paradox? Choosing the database program
that you are already familiar with reduces training time and
makes you more productive sooner.
Support. Does your company have outside consultants who use
dBASE IV or Paradox? Do you have friends, colleagues, or
business associates who are knowledgeable about one of these
products? Are there local businesses that provide application
development or other support for one program or the other? Do
you subscribe to magazines or newsletters that focus on dBASE IV
or Paradox? Choosing the database that is best supported in your
company and your area helps ensure you stay productive with your
Borland database program.
PRODUCT : Paradox, dBASE NUMBER : 487
VERSION : All
OS : DOS
DATE : August 12, 1992 PAGE : 4/8
TITLE : Paradox versus dBASE -- Which one is for me?
Training. Does your company offer in-house training classes or
workshops in dBASE IV or Paradox? Are classes offered at local
colleges or universities? Are there computer stores or software
training companies in your area that hold classes in one program
or the other? When you select dBASE IV or Paradox, good training
is essential for putting these tools to work. While both
products are easy to use, the more you know about them, the more
effective they will be for you. If there is more or better
education available for one program than the other, this should
be a factor in your decision.
Third-party add-on tools. Third-party tools are programs and
program libraries that extend the functionality of your database
or its programming language. There are third-party reporting
tools, editors, function libraries, program generators, etc. for
both dBASE IV and Paradox. If you have, or are familiar with,
any third-party tools for either dBASE IV or Paradox, this should
help with your decision.
dBASE IV and Paradox Features
Sometimes it is necessary to go beyond the general questions in
the previous section and take a look at dBASE IV and Paradox
themselves to help choose the right database for your needs.
Here are some product issues to assist in your choice:
Independent database paradigms
dBASE and Paradox have different database paradigms. That is,
the architecture of each program takes an independent approach to
database management. Independent database paradigms are a
benefit to you because you can choose the database that is "best
fit" for you and your applications.
dBASE Paradigm
dBASE offers a "programming paradigm," focusing on flexibility.
In dBASE, forms, reports, queries, validity checks, multiuser
considerations, etc. are all managed through the dBASE
programming language. The dBASE IV user interface provides end-
user accessibility through the Control Center and program
templates, which automate the programming language.
PRODUCT : Paradox, dBASE NUMBER : 487
VERSION : All
OS : DOS
DATE : August 12, 1992 PAGE : 5/8
TITLE : Paradox versus dBASE -- Which one is for me?
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ || User Interface || ║
║ || Automated way to write programs || ║
║ ┌──||───────────────────────────────────||──┐ ║
║ │ \/ Programming Language \/ │ ║
║ │ (Defines all functionality) │ ║
║ │ │ ║
║ │Relations, Validity, Integrity Maintenance │ ║
║ │Lookups, Forms, Buffering, Duplicate Checks│ ║
║ │Queries, and Reports │ ║
║ │ ┌───────────────────────────────┐ │ ║
║ │ │ Data Access Engine │ │ ║
║ │ │ Flat File, Multi-user, Linked │ │ ║
║ │ └───────────────────────────────┘ │ ║
║ └───────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════╝
This diagram illustrates how dBASE functionality resides
primarily in the programming language. The programming paradigm
gives the dBASE user near-complete control over every aspect of
database management.
Paradox Paradigm
Paradox offers a "data-centered paradigm". The focus in the
Paradox architecture is on the data access engine and the user
interface. Some data integrity and multiuser features are
managed by the Paradox Engine, while higher level operations such
as forms, reports, queries, and multi-table integrity, are
created and manipulated with the interactive user interface. PAL
(Paradox Application Language) programs are a means of automating
and extending the user interface.
PRODUCT : Paradox, dBASE NUMBER : 487
VERSION : All
OS : DOS
DATE : August 12, 1992 PAGE : 6/8
TITLE : Paradox versus dBASE -- Which one is for me?
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ /\ PAL Programming Language /\ ║
║ || A way to automate and extend the UI || ║
║ ┌─||─────────────────────────────────────||─┐ ║
║ │ \/ User Interface \/ │ ║
║ │(Much functionality resides here and below)│ ║
║ │ │ ║
║ │Integrity maintenance(referential & domain)│ ║
║ │ Forms, Reports, and Queries │ ║
║ │ ┌───────────────────────────────────┐ │ ║
║ │ │ Data Access Engine │ │ ║
║ │ │ Relational, Multi-User Design │ │ ║
║ │ │ Validity checks, Lookups, Multi- │ │ ║
║ │ │ user (concurrency & locks), Data │ │ ║
║ │ │ buffering, and Duplicate checks │ │ ║
║ │ └───────────────────────────────────┘ │ ║
║ └───────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════╝
This diagram shows how the Paradox database paradigm differs from
the dBASE paradigm, with the functionality built into the user
interface and the database engine rather than the programming
language. This approach makes Paradox especially easy for end
users.
dBASE IV differentiating features
Multi-platform support. dBASE IV is available on a wide range of
platforms, including DOS, UNIX, and VAX VMS operating systems.
dBASE IV also offers a comprehensive development environment for
client/server applications with the dBASE IV Server Edition.
dBASE IV gives you connectivity to minicomputer and mainframe
data with Direct AS/400 and Direct 3270.
Third-party support. dBASE IV has extensive support from third-
party vendors. This third-party support includes database
applications written in dBASE IV, add-on tools such as report
generators, programming libraries, etc., and training for dBASE
IV and dBASE programming.
Large installed base. dBASE IV has an enormous installed base.
More than 3 million copies worldwide are being used and dBASE IV
PRODUCT : Paradox, dBASE NUMBER : 487
VERSION : All
OS : DOS
DATE : August 12, 1992 PAGE : 7/8
TITLE : Paradox versus dBASE -- Which one is for me?
is recognized as the industry-standard PC database management
system. dBASE IV has more users, operators, and programmers than
any other PC database.
Local and Updatable SQL. dBASE IV includes support for embedded
Structured Query Language (SQL) statements. With dBASE IV's
built-in SQL you can perform relational operations on your local
data. dBASE IV Server Edition also gives you full query and
update access to the SQL Database on your server. dBASE IV
Server Edition supports Microsoft SQL Server on DOS servers and
Rdb on VMS servers.
AppGen. AppGen is dBASE IV's powerful, easy-to-use application
generator. AppGen gives end users a way to create database
applications without having to learn dBASE programming.
Paradox differentiating features
Powerful and simple ad hoc queries. Paradox pioneered the
industry-standard Query By Example (QBE), which gives you a
simple, intuitive interface for performing powerful ad hoc
queries. With QBE, you select the files you would like to query
and provide examples of the data you would like to see, and
Paradox optimizes and performs the query for you.
With QBE, there is no need to learn a "query language" or even
the Paradox Application Language (PAL). You perform Paradox
queries with no programming at all.
SQL front end. With Paradox SQL Link, you can use Paradox to
query a wide variety of SQL data servers, including IBM OS/2
Extended Edition database, Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase, Oracle,
and VAX RdB. Paradox SQL Link gives you a consistent, familiar
interface to all your Paradox tables and corporate data. Paradox
SQL Link accesses SQL data files transparently, eliminating the
need to learn Structured Query Language (SQL) or some other
client/server tool.
PRODUCT : Paradox, dBASE NUMBER : 487
VERSION : All
OS : DOS
DATE : August 12, 1992 PAGE : 8/8
TITLE : Paradox versus dBASE -- Which one is for me?
Engine interoperability. Nearly all of Borland's products use
the Paradox Engine for data file access. With Paradox Engine,
you have access to all your data files, regardless of whether
they were created with Paradox, SideKick, or Quattro Pro.
In addition, Paradox Engine can be used with Borland's language
products--Turbo C++, Borland C++, Turbo Pascal, and Turbo Pascal
for Windows.
DISCLAIMER: You have the right to use this technical information
subject to the terms of the No-Nonsense License Statement that
you received with the Borland product to which this information
pertains.