Simple app creation for non-developers?

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.forwardpass.com/">http://www.forwardpass.com/</a><br /><br />Want to create a custom application but have no programming experience? This app may be worth looking at. It installs on your Pocket PC 2002 (sorry, Pocket PC 2000 is not supported) and allows you to quickly whip up visually attractive and useful apps. Examples include databases, interactive guides, training aids and basic order entry and sales management. Keep an eye on the animated GIF below - there are 17 screens that walk you through the creation of a time stamp application.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2002/20020830-forwardpass.gif" /><br /><br />You can buy it for <a href="http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&platformId=2&productType=2&catalog=0&sectionId=0&productId=41466">$39.95 using this affiliate link</a> or download a trial version. If you decide to buy, try to remember to come back and click through the link. Thanks to Racer-X for the heads up.

[olucas]

It seems the Handango link isn't working.

[Andy Sjostrom]

Thanks!
Link now fixed!

[Ed Hansberry]

Thanks!
Link now fixed!
Not my week for links is it. I am the weakest link. :oops:

[ipaq-PHD]

How is this program different from Handbase with forms designer ? I can't think of ways to use this program in place of Handbase ...

[Ed Hansberry]

How is this program different from Handbase with forms designer ? I can't think of ways to use this program in place of Handbase ...
Well, for one, this works on the Pocket PC. Right now, HDB forms requires desktop design. :?

This also seems to have some macro support. I'd bet HDB is a much stronger database app but this might have an edge in some automtation.

[Andy Sjostrom]

Sorry, I don't believe in these sorts of tools for anything other than personal productivity stuff and even then I am not sure.
In comparison with the real deal, there are too much missing. But then again, I am sure these sorts of tools are not for me, anyway...

[Ed Hansberry]

But then again, I am sure these sorts of tools are not for me, anyway...
Exactly. For me this is great. I have no desire to learn VB/VC/Vwhatever and also have little desire to spend several thousand dollars when I can whip up a form and put a few macros in it. I would never consider this for something to roll out in a company, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for someone that wanted to enhance their productivity.

[szamot]

If I am not mistaken I have seen something like this for writing Palm apps a couple years back, limited but it does the trick for some simple stuff without much learning curve needed.

[cpoole]

Well if you do not have programming experience when you start using this tool, you will when you are finished. The manual shows objects with properties and methods. The controls are the typical controls you would find with any GUI development tool. The language refernce manual indicates that the language is VBscript.

The product looks to be well designed and documented. I am interested in doing some development work for the Pocket PC. I will look at this tool as well as MS eVB. The big negative for this product is the lack of support for anything other than Pocket PC 2002...

[sesummers]

and get an error whenever I try to run one of the samples. MMM..

From the docs, it looks like this is very similar to NSBasic- they both use the underlying VB Script interpreter. This program has MUCH stronger form capabilities though, and is a lot cheaper. I'll report back if I get it working.

[Steven Cedrone]

If I am not mistaken I have seen something like this for writing Palm apps a couple years back, limited but it does the trick for some simple stuff without much learning curve needed.

It was called Palm Factory, later on it was sold (I believe) and re-named Palm Toolbox. As far as I know, it's still out there somewhere.....

Steve

[sesummers]

Well, it worked after a reboot. Unfortunately, I just downloaded the trial edition of the new Delphi version (have to figure out how to rationalize the upgrade to the boss), so I'm too busy to play with this right now.

[JonathanWardRogers]

This program has MUCH stronger form capabilities though, and is a lot cheaper.

Can you elaborate a little? I've been throwing around the idea of buying NSBasic, but if this really is better, I'll buy it (much cheaper!).

[sesummers]

Can you elaborate a little? I've been throwing around the idea of buying NSBasic, but if this really is better, I'll buy it (much cheaper!).

I wouldn't say it's better than NS Basic. Just that the form capabilities are stronger. NSBasic can do cool things with programmatic control over form properties and components that EVB can't do either. But it's buggy and a pain to work with. There's a version 4 coming out that might be a lot better though. Give it a month before making a decision.