What is Visual FoxPro?

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Visual FoxPro (VFP) was a high-level, object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1989 and remained popular until its discontinuation in 2007.

History of Visual FoxPro

Visual FoxPro was born out of the merger between Fox Software and Microsoft in 1992. The original version, called FoxBASE+, was a relational database management system (RDBMS) that allowed users to create databases and build applications using a visual interface. After the acquisition by Microsoft, the product underwent significant changes and was renamed Visual FoxPro.

Key Features of Visual FoxPro

Visual FoxPro offered several key features that made it a popular choice for developers:

• Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): VFP supported object-oriented programming concepts like classes, objects, and inheritance.
• Relational Database Management: It included a built-in RDBMS that allowed users to create and manage databases.
• Visual Interface: The visual interface enabled developers to build applications using a drag-and-drop approach, without requiring extensive coding knowledge.
• Scripting Language: VFP had its own scripting language, called Visual FoxPro Script (VPS), which allowed for rapid development and prototyping.

Applications of Visual FoxPro

Over the years, Visual FoxPro has been used in various industries, including:

• Business Automation: VFP was used to build custom applications for business automation, such as inventory management, order tracking, and customer relationship management.
• Database Development: Its RDBMS capabilities made it a popular choice for database development and maintenance.
• Web Development: Although not its primary focus, VFP was also used to develop web applications using its built-in web server.

Demise of Visual FoxPro

Microsoft announced the discontinuation of Visual FoxPro in 2007. The last version, Visual FoxPro 9.0, was released in 2007. While it is no longer supported by Microsoft, many developers continue to use VFP for legacy system maintenance and new projects.

Alternatives to Visual FoxPro

In recent years, several alternatives have emerged to replace or complement VFP:

• Microsoft Access: A database management system that offers similar features to VFP.
• Microsoft SQL Server: A RDBMS that supports object-oriented programming and has become a popular choice for large-scale applications.
• .NET Framework: A software framework developed by Microsoft that provides a comprehensive set of libraries and tools for building Windows-based applications.

Conclusion

Visual FoxPro was a powerful tool for developers in the 1990s and early 2000s. Its object-oriented programming capabilities, visual interface, and built-in RDBMS made it an attractive choice for building custom applications. Although it is no longer supported by Microsoft, its legacy lives on through the many projects and systems still running today.

Comparison of Visual FoxPro with Other Programming Languages

Feature	Visual FoxPro	C#	Java
OOP Support	Strong	Strong	Strong
RDBMS	Built-in	None (uses SQL Server)	None (uses relational databases)
Visual Interface	Yes	No	No
Scripting Language	VPS	C# scripts	Java script

Example Code in Visual FoxPro

LOCAL oForm AS Object
CREATE OBJECT(oForm)
oForm := CREATE OBJECT("Form")
oForm.Width := 500
oForm.Height := 300

This example demonstrates the creation of a simple form using VFP’s object-oriented programming capabilities.

Resources for Learning Visual FoxPro

For developers interested in learning Visual FoxPro, here are some resources to get started:

• Microsoft Documentation: Official documentation and tutorials provided by Microsoft.
• Visual FoxPro Community Forum: A community-driven forum where users can share knowledge, ask questions, and find answers.
• Books and Tutorials: Various online courses and books that cover the basics of VFP programming.

Summary

This article provides an overview of Visual FoxPro, its history, key features, applications, and demise. It also explores alternatives to VFP and offers resources for learning this powerful tool.