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DataFlex
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<h2 id="history-and-overview">History and overview</h2> <p>DataFlex can be traced back to 1982 when the company called <i>Data Access Corporation</i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> (founded in 1976) created and developed a language allowing application code to run on almost any system architecture, regardless of hardware.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> It started as a relatively early example of a fully fledged and commercially used <a href="/facts/Fourth-generation_programming_language/QHUEG2IQ">fourth-generation programming language</a> (4GL). In its early forms, DataFlex was available for <a href="/facts/CP%2fM/n5rTgXdC">CP/M</a>, <a href="/facts/MS-DOS/fVrrz1uN">MS-DOS</a>, <a href="/facts/TurboDOS/C1laz0kX">TurboDOS</a>, <a href="/facts/Novell_NetWare/cfnyxMzs">Novell NetWare</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> <a href="/facts/OS%2f2/uVBl6ItP">OS/2</a>, <a href="/facts/Unix/0pNL2seI">Unix</a>, <a href="/facts/OpenVMS/rAnHAgpD">VMS</a> and <a href="/facts/IBM_AIX/cRWERua2">IBM AIX</a> <a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">operating systems</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> By 1985, DataFlex was applied in a variety of high-tech industries including automated inventory control systems and insurance fraud detection systems.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> </p><p>DataFlex has lasted many years as a niche application development environment. The DataFlex product supports many <a href="/facts/Relational_database/pEKGmJLy">relational database</a> environments: <a href="/facts/Oracle_database/FHv5g732">Oracle database</a>, <a href="/facts/Microsoft_SQL_Server/eCdt2JBL">Microsoft SQL Server</a>, <a href="/facts/IBM_Db2/2cYITuuY">IBM Db2</a>, <a href="/facts/MySQL/QEEDNBDP">MySQL</a>, <a href="/facts/PostgreSQL/LHdXuHfl">PostgreSQL</a> and any <a href="/facts/ODBC/2dV2Fm5j">ODBC</a> database. DataFlex applications are used by around 3 million users. In 1991, the 3.0 version with a modernized interface was released.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> In 2014, Data Access released 2014/18.0 version.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> The release of DataFlex 2023/23.0 introduced FlexTron technology that allows the usage of web controls within Windows desktop applications. </p><p>DataFlex is developed and provided by <i>Data Access Worldwide</i>, a software company with main offices in <a href="/facts/Miami/L5FsgQcb">Miami</a>, <a href="/facts/Florida/cF245A3Q">Florida</a>, <a href="/facts/Hengelo/N49rIrD1">Hengelo</a>, <a href="/facts/Netherlands/y8xn5stT">Netherlands</a>, and <a href="/facts/S%25C3%25A3o_Paulo/pPqRTTR0">São Paulo</a>, <a href="/facts/Brazil/QHkG46GL">Brazil</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="features">Features</h2> <p>The DataFlex language supports: </p> <ul><li>Supports many database environments: <a href="/facts/Oracle_database/FHv5g732">Oracle database</a>, <a href="/facts/Microsoft_SQL_Server/eCdt2JBL">Microsoft SQL Server</a>, <a href="/facts/IBM_Db2/2cYITuuY">IBM Db2</a>, <a href="/facts/MySQL/QEEDNBDP">MySQL</a>, <a href="/facts/PostgreSQL/LHdXuHfl">PostgreSQL</a> as well as any <a href="/facts/ODBC/2dV2Fm5j">ODBC</a> database.</li> <li>Easily switch between database backends, no code change needed.</li> <li>Variables are loosely typed. The virtual machine takes care of conversions.</li> <li>Flexibility; the language is object oriented, so developers can create subclasses and libraries.</li> <li>Code compiles to an intermediate <a href="/facts/Bytecode/EPkMFR7M">byte-code</a> which makes the programs easily portable between operating systems.</li> <li>No <a href="/facts/Thread_(computer_science)/hh8WHyPd">threads</a> or <a href="/facts/Computer_multitasking/Q4acPNMv">multitasking</a></li> <li>Methods can - for ease of coding - be defined or redefined inside the object definition. Technically the compiler simply sub-classes the superclass and adds the methods to the class.</li> <li>Automatic delegation of messages in the <a href="/facts/Object-oriented_programming/TxNMEcao">object-oriented programming</a> environment</li> <li>Embedded Database access is <a href="/facts/ISAM/J1Q7sty3">ISAM</a>-based. It can be used royalty-free.</li></ul> <h2 id="language-extension">Language Extension</h2> <ul><li>Functions defined in Dynamic Link Libraries can be used.</li> <li>Classes, methods and properties defined in a COM module can be used. COM automation, controls and embedding is supported.</li></ul> <h2 id="development-environments">Development environments</h2> <p>The DataFlex programming language is used in the following development environments: </p> <a href="/facts/Visual_DataFlex/Ah6pcAwA">DataFlex</a> Studio This is the flagship visual development environment from Data Access Worldwide. DataFlex is available for <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows/bwhAhuSL">Microsoft Windows</a> only. DataFlex is a <a href="/facts/GUI/fDHYWMU8">GUI</a> development language in a style comparable with <a href="/facts/Visual_Basic/7QMXM6fP">Visual Basic</a>, <a href="/facts/Delphi_(programming_language)/sUFUXQ8r">Delphi</a> and <a href="/facts/C%252B%252B/Et0F2qn9">C++</a>. From version 4 (1996) up until version 17.1 (2015), the product was labeled Visual DataFlex. DataFlex WebApp Server Available for <a href="/facts/Microsoft_IIS/nqmfJr3T">Microsoft IIS</a> only, the DataFlex WebApp Server can be used to develop thin client applications such as browser-based applications (both full class browsers such as <a href="/facts/Google_Chrome/4INfWq37">Google Chrome</a>, <a href="/facts/Internet_Explorer/uL8a4Y5l">Internet Explorer</a>, <a href="/facts/Mozilla_Firefox/xez2zv8H">Mozilla Firefox</a> and <a href="/facts/Opera_(web_browser)/2NYCcTj1">Opera</a>, as well as <a href="/facts/Wireless_Application_Protocol/UxhCWfnv">WAP</a> browsers). Developers can also create <a href="/facts/Web_Service/qxrwqB3D">Web Service</a> client and server applications. The server has built-in load balancing capabilities which also assist with High Availability, this does, however, require an SPLF license. <a href="/facts/Web_Framework/8f1CVHDX">Web Framework</a> DataFlex includes a web framework for writing web and mobile applications. Character mode DataFlex The latest iteration of the original character mode application (3.2) is available as a <i>Console Mode</i> application for <a href="/facts/MS-DOS/fVrrz1uN">MS-DOS</a>, <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows/bwhAhuSL">Microsoft Windows</a> and <a href="/facts/Unix/0pNL2seI">Unix</a> variants (notably <a href="/facts/Linux/9FvCKSTq">Linux</a>). <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://www.dataaccess.com/">Data Access Worldwide</a> website</li> <li><a href="https://learning.dataaccess.com">DataFlex Learning database</a> (online resource for learning about building applications with DataFlex)</li> <li><a href="https://www.vdf-guidance.com/">VDF-GUIdance</a> (independent resource for users of the DataFlex programming language)</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>“DataFlex: An Introduction by Curtis Krauskopf” <a href="http://www.decompile.com/dataflex/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.decompile.com/dataflex/index.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Definition of: DataFlex". PC Magazine. Retrieved February 6, 2020. <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/40897/dataflex" target="_blank">https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/40897/dataflex</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"DataFlex for Creators". InfoWorld. 4 (26). 1982. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=MjAEAAAAMBAJ&q=in+which+languages+DataFlex+available&pg=PA40" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=MjAEAAAAMBAJ&q=in+which+languages+DataFlex+available&pg=PA40</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>“InfoWorld (June 1, 1987)” <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=yjAEAAAAMBAJ&dq=InfoWorld+dataflex&pg=PA71" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=yjAEAAAAMBAJ&dq=InfoWorld+dataflex&pg=PA71</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"DataFlex: Programming Gymnastics". PC. 3 (17). 1984. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=vQDibG12bVcC&pg=PA253" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=vQDibG12bVcC&pg=PA253</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Definition of: DataFlex". PC Magazine. Retrieved February 6, 2020. <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/40897/dataflex" target="_blank">https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/40897/dataflex</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"InfoNews/Software, CP/M, DataFlex". InfoWorld. Vol. 4, no. 9. IDG. March 8, 1982. p. 46. ISSN 0199-6649. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Aarons, Richard N. (September 4, 1984). "DataFlex: Programming Gymnastics". PC Magazine. Vol. 3, no. 17. Ziff Davis. pp. 253–255. ISSN 0888-8507. Retrieved March 8, 2017. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=vQDibG12bVcC&pg=PA253" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=vQDibG12bVcC&pg=PA253</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Duncan, Judy; Petreley, Nicholas; Chiu, Peter; Mathews, Carla (November 18, 1991). "Product comparison, Database building blocks". InfoWorld. Vol. 13, no. 46. IDG. p. 92. ISSN 0199-6649. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>“DataFlex: An Introduction by Curtis Krauskopf” <a href="http://www.decompile.com/dataflex/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.decompile.com/dataflex/index.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>InfoWorld, August 12, 1991 <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=lFAEAAAAMBAJ&dq=InfoWorld+dataflex&pg=PA13" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=lFAEAAAAMBAJ&dq=InfoWorld+dataflex&pg=PA13</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Benzinga: "DataFlex 2014/18.0 Released by Data Access Worldwide" <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/14/09/p4832355/dataflex-201418-0-released-by-data-access-worldwide" target="_blank">https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/14/09/p4832355/dataflex-201418-0-released-by-data-access-worldwide</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"DataFlex 2024/24.0 Release". Retrieved March 13, 2024. <a href="https://support.dataaccess.com/Forums/showthread.php?70883-DataFlex-2024-Released-Download-now!" target="_blank">https://support.dataaccess.com/Forums/showthread.php?70883-DataFlex-2024-Released-Download-now!</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>dataaccess.com: “DataFlex - Overview”] <a href="https://www.dataaccess.com/products/dataflex/overview-206" target="_blank">https://www.dataaccess.com/products/dataflex/overview-206</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>