Visual FoxPro

Visual FoxPro. It is a data-centric, object-oriented programming language and integrated development environment from Microsoft. Originally derived from FoxBASE and FoxPro developed by Fox Software, it became a Microsoft product after the company's acquisition in 1992. The final version, Visual FoxPro 9.0, was released in 2004, with official support ending in 2015.

History

The lineage of the software traces back to FoxBASE, a dBASE-compatible system created by Fox Software. Following the acquisition by Microsoft, the product evolved into FoxPro for Windows before being rebranded as part of the Microsoft Visual Studio family. Key versions included Visual FoxPro 3.0, which introduced true object-oriented capabilities, and Visual FoxPro 6.0, a highly popular release. The development team was led by figures like Alan Griver and Calvin Hsia, with significant input from the FoxPro community. Its final major update was part of the Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 suite, though it remained a standalone product.

Features

The language combined procedural and object-oriented paradigms, featuring a robust Relational database management system engine with support for SQL commands like SELECT, UPDATE, and DELETE. It introduced advanced features such as XML support, COM components, and the ability to create Web services. The Integrated development environment provided powerful tools for building GUI applications, including a form designer, class browser, and WYSIWYG report writer. Its Data dictionary allowed for defining business rules, triggers, and persistent relationships directly within databases.

Development environment

The Integrated development environment offered a comprehensive suite of designers for building applications efficiently. Developers used the Form Designer and Report Designer tools visually, while the Project Manager handled all components of an application. The environment supported IntelliSense for code completion and featured a powerful Command window for immediate execution of commands, a legacy from its FoxPro roots. It integrated with source control systems and could consume .NET Framework assemblies, enhancing its interoperability within the Microsoft Windows ecosystem.

Data handling

At its core was a high-performance Database engine that stored data in .DBF table files, a format originating from dBASE. It supported both local cursors and remote data access via ODBC and OLE DB adapters. The engine handled complex Data integrity through built-in triggers, Stored procedures, and Referential integrity rules defined in the Database container. Its SQL implementation was optimized for speed, featuring Rushmore optimization technology for fast data retrieval from indexed tables.

Legacy and discontinuation

Microsoft announced the discontinuation of the product in 2007, with mainstream support ending in 2010 and extended support concluding in 2015. Despite this, a dedicated community and companies like West Wind Technologies continue to maintain and use it for legacy applications. Its influence is seen in modern data-centric frameworks, and the FoxPro community remains active, with events like the annual Southwest Fox conference. The .NET Framework and languages like C# have become the primary successors for developing new database applications on the Microsoft Windows platform. Category:Microsoft development tools Category:Object-oriented programming languages Category:Database management systems Category:Discontinued Microsoft software Category:Programming languages created in 1998