[DISCUSS] Missing basic features ? ROADMAP

[Bart Pietercil]

On 22-mrt-07, at 11:19, Kim Kohen wrote:

>
>
>> * Kim, also please inform us what you want from Valentina but it  
>> can't do.
> ••••
> Actually most of the things I want (or wanted) are already being  
> implemented.
>
> The binding stuff is looking pretty neat, although I think I found  
> a bug or two. I'll get around to reporting properly when I have  
> time to play. I want to try and build an application entirely with  
> binding - like I did with pgsql4rb.

What binding stuff ;-)
I just build my own in RB

>
>
>
>> * we have implement in Valentina 3.0 branch
> ••••
> this contains most of my desires - especially the backups and  
> scheduling. Whilst FMP doesn't have inbuilt scheduled backups, I've  
> always deployed using FMP server which does - same with MySQL. It  
> seemed very strange to me to not have scheduled backups for a server.
>
> Triggers will be the other big one - will make many things a lot  
> easier. Things like the creation date setting. Will also make it a  
> snack to set pointer values or to set links.
>

Hear hear

>
>> * for say 3.1  we will add support of LOG file, which can monitor  
>> all changes and be applied to latest BACUKP.
> ••••
> EVEN BETTER!!  this is the first I recall seeing this as an  
> upcoming feature. We also run Sybase at work and it has always  
> impressed me how easily restores can be done with log files.
>
>
>> * and then all efforts will be directed to implementation of  
>> transactions,
> ••••
> Transactions aren't that important to my particular projects but  
> I'm sure they are to others.
>

I am this (significant) other

>
>> * parallel we can and should improve such things as - more field  
>> types  - more index types
> ••••
> I believe you were working on improved full text indexing - that  
> would be nice.
>
>
>> About Valentina Studio.
> ••••
> I know we've spoken in the past about CLI tools and Applescript but  
> I would still like this access outside of VStudio. Ideally to have  
> a javascript API where it could talk directly to the database.  
> There's an Applescript application around called MySQL bridge that  
> does this for MySQL. I'd still like to be able to have a two way  
> data conversation with InDesign using javascript:)
>
> Most of the things I need a CLI tool for could be written in RB so  
> I guess it's not such a big deal anymore.  I already have a small  
> utility running on a server at work which synchronises our current  
> FMP solution with Valentina (and MySQL). This will make it possible  
> to run the new RB app in parallel with FMP and still have up to  
> date data.
>
>

I would like to see Valentina evoluate towards a full blown design  
and management tool for VServer . Something one can put in the hands  
of an IT department, but not for endusers (that's our job).
So I really don't see the advantage of having forms


>> All together these plugins will move Valentina Studio to at least  
>> FileMaker
>> level.
> ••••
> in what way?  I really like Valentina but Filemaker it aint. I'm  
> not sure if the long term goal of paradigma is to move into the FMP  
> market but if it is, you have a long way to go. For all its  
> shortcomings, FMP is a mature product with a pretty rich feature  
> set - it just starts to suck when you want your app to look and  
> behave like a *real* app.
>
> If you want a GUI, maybe you should talk to Servoy (although I  
> never really liked their product).
>

I just moved away from them (pricing and lock-in) but it is certainly  
an interesting product


>
>> Also we need yet:
>>         Develop powerful preferences.
>>         Diagram Editor - for visual creation of table and links.
>>         Report tool
>>         SQL Builder - we have ideas how improve it a lots.
> ••••
> these are all cool but tend to suggest the user will be doing  
> everything in VStudio rather than building (or using) a custom  
> application.

The user for me is the developer. I'm building a 60 tables project  
and I sure would have liked a visual designer for designing and  
redesigning AND communicating this design with my fellow designers.
Being able to generate a visual of a database makes it easier to  
discuss its design.
This for me indicates that Valentina is still very much a "one  
developer tool" where it doesn't need to be

just my 0,02 €


Bart