HTML Generator

[Deskin, Bob]

Now that we have put the E version to bed (it's in manufacturing but not
quite available yet), we're busy planning the next release. We have lost
of ideas of course, and I'm not specifically soliciting any more. What I
would like to do is follow up on Ken's idea, which we share, of an HTML
generator. We already know that QDESIGN can generate HTML. And it's not
particularly difficult to add to that. I'm not trying to make it sound
like it's a 5 minute job, but we already know how to do it. It's simply
a case of designing the keyword and determining what HTML should be
generated and where.
 
But I don't think people want PowerHouse Web with it's panel-oriented
stateless architecture that requires converting subscreen calls to
linkscreens and some other way of handling reports and runs. My take is
that people want is something that feels like QUICK (even down to the
Action field is desired) but looks like a web page. And that it runs
over a local network similar to a terminal emulator as opposed to the
internet (although that might be a possibility). So the first question
is - is that a correct assumption?
 
If that is correct, then the next question is how do we do the execution
end of things in a reasonable period of time with limited resources.
Sure, it can be done. The browser engines are available as controls or
applets and we could build the entire infrastructure, but we don't have
a large team and 2 or more years. Rather we have 2 or 3 people and 6
months (no, that's not the whole team but we do have other things to do,
and the 6 months is what I'm aiming for because I know these projects
take longer).
 
So does anyone have any ideas on how to put this sort of thing together?
Are there web sites that describe it? Is it even reasonable considering
that a browser is typically block oriented whereas QUICK is field
oriented?
 
Any thoughts? 
 
Bob
 
PS I removed the other portions of Ken's message because I won't get
into pricing policy in a public forum. Ken's 3rd point is somewhat
dependant on the success of the second. These days, you need to look
good to be noticed. However, whatever we do must be in keeping with our
existing architecture. QKView is a step in the right direction.

	-----Original Message-----
	From: powerh-l-bounces+bob.deskin=cognos.com at lists.sowder.com
[mailto:powerh-l-bounces+bob.deskin=cognos.com at lists.sowder.com] On
Behalf Of Ken Langendock
	Sent: June 5, 2007 6:29 PM
	To: powerh-l at lists.sowder.com
	Subject: FW: Is Powerhouse expanding in India
	
	
	<< portions removed by Bob Deskin >>
	 
	 b) The most important thing would be something NEW
	Maybe Some kind of "controllable/", HTML code generator from the
compiler, similar to how access statements get generated into cursor
statements. If we are not happy with the way the automatic one works, we
can create our own. If we could create copy modules that would generate
the correct HTML syntax to make the, for example, screen headers
work/look as they do in Quick, this would cut a lot of code down.
	Function key statements that create proper HTML code, etc.
	 
	The list can go on and on, but the point is, we need a way of
converting our existing quick screens into fancy/schmancy html screens
automatically. I for one am not looking at converting 2000+ quick
screens into HTML without some "automatic" help.
	 
	Ken
	 
	 
	 
	 
________________________________

	From: Joe Boyle [mailto:atla38 at dsl.pipex.com] 
	Sent: June 5, 2007 5:58 PM
	To: 'Ken Langendock'; powerh-l at lists.sowder.com
	Subject: RE: Is Powerhouse expanding in India
	
	

	 I think PH is failing ( read dead) because PowerHouse is so
expensive - especially training - all of the MS .net related software
can be downloaded for free - I have MSSQLserver, C#, C++, VB and it
did,nt cost me a penny. 

	When I tried to purchase PH software (for NT platforms only),
Cognos wouldn't sell it me as an individual ( and that, after I worked
on the Cognos support desk for 5 years) with 12 years of PH on VMS, MPE,
Unix and Dos collectively.
 
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