Access vs PH (was Is there a place for 4GLs anymore?)

[Olmos, Fernando (Sericon at Alcoa)]

>  In some ways it is similar to Powerhouse. If you use the adp 
> option where
> you set you backend as SQL Server (or the runtime version of 
> SQL server that
> comes with Access 2000 or Access 2002) you get a tool with:
> 
> A stored procedure designer
> A view designer
> A trigger designer
> A report writer
> A form writer
> Reports and forms can be based on stored procedures
> The ability to make external windows call via the API
> A code repository that can be called from reports and forms

Put it this way... and take my experience as an example...

A client recently asked us to produce a simple VB application for which they
would use to enter in data. The form was only to hold 5 or 6 fields and it
was to cater for all the usual data manipulation methodologies of
ADD/MODIFY/DELETE and FIND. In other words we were asked to produce a
"simple" VB application that would tap into an SQL server database, access 2
or 3 tables and allow the user to do the above functions. Do you know how
long it took for us to do this? drum roll ............... 6 days!!!!
Unfortunately for us, our client was also a programmer and knew (and was
able) to do exactly the same thing with Powerhouse. Do you know how long it
took him? (oohhh this is good).... 30 minutes!!!!

The power of 4GL speaks volumes in examples like above, but Microsoft are
the world software leaders so... hey.... a company has to weight the pros
and the cons and if they want VB applications.... we'll do it... but
pleeeeeeeease if I hear anyone bag a 4GL like powerhouse (or even question
it)... I'll track and hunt you down like a dog pal! LOL