Coming from a VFP and VPME background, I am wondering what is the best practice for applications that use SQL Databases.  In VFP applications I normally use Views for Forms and Reports and separate them into two or more databases.  Also, I would try to use Views instead of Filters most of the time.  Is the way I would do it in VFP still the best way for SQL database applications?

- Is it best to separate tables and views into separate databases?  I noticed the Strataflix and Strataframe samples both show views and tables together in the same DB but this may be just for simplification

- Should Maintenance Forms be based on views or tables?

- Should Reports use views or tables?

- When is it best to use a View as opposed to a table or a table with a filter?

- Also, I plan to develop applications using SF that I want to be able to sell just parts of as well as the entire application as a whole.  For example, I'm working on a Safety Review application that could be sold as a complete package or someone might just want to purchase the OSHA package, ADA package, Driver/Employee File package, Vehicle Inspections package, etc.  I might also have a Lite/Express version too for example.

- I'd be interested how others are doing it and what make the most sense in terms of flexibility, especially since I have the opportunity to start from "scratch" so to speak.

Thanks!

Russ Brown (Using C#2010/SQL Server 2008)

Here you are.

• Get your view ready with the Parent and all its children, remember to have the parent PK as a column in it.
• Create a new BO in your application and use the Business Object Mapper to map it. Remember that if you are used to mapping selecting the DDT as a source, with a view you will need to go straight to the SQL Server, so deploy it first, and then map it.
• Rebuild your project and drop 2 instances of the view BO on your form.
• Drop a BrowseDialog and configure it to this BO type, use one of the instances of the BO as the BusinessObjectToPopulate.
• Configure your BrowseDialog as usual. SearchFields, BrowseResultsLayout and so on.
• Go to your BrowseDialog Events and create one for BrowseDialogClosed.

In it, put some code like the following:

That should be it.