First, let me say that I have just begun exploring StrataFrame, so some of these observations may be the result of inadequate exploration or misconception... but here goes (my background is PowerBuilder, Delphi, many RDBMS's):

I really like the web site, the examples, and the StrataFram Help (especially the Getting Started stuff). I have created a simple single form / single Business Object WinForm application... so now I am an expert. <g>

Concerns (you had to suspect this would be the longer list... right?):

1) I question the idea of binding the Business Objects right to the forms. Why not bind a BO Proxy to the forms, and keep all the BO's in one container? I know there is some ability to Share Data... but why should this be a case by case implementation detail? In fact I would see this as something you guys already already addressed (at the macro level) with the Enterprise Server alternative to the Client Server approach of connecting each BO directly to the database. IOW, why would you want each form in an application have its own (Customer) BO with a private buffer... out of synch with each other form/(Customer) BO/buffer in the application?

2) There is a loud "silence" on the WPF/SilverLight front. Along these lines, there seems to be a bit of a hush over when the next maintenance release will appear... and what will be in it.

3) The use of "Select *" in the example SQL statements. Generally we remove the fingers of developers that do stuff like that. I'm not sure how your BO's react to changes in the database tables (renaming columns, changing data types, adding/removing columns, etc.). We find explicit column references helps us find the issues pretty quickly. Along this same line is the missing ability to Auto-Generate bound controls based on a Buisiness Object (or actually BO Proxy <g>.

4) There doesn't seem to be any system level caching capability.

5) Almost all the Help examples are in VB, which doesn't help a C# newbie.

6) And finally, why do the C# samples contain reverences to a VB construct...
//-- Forcibly close the application to stop message pumps from looping and preventing the application
// from closing
ProjectData.EndApp();

Hi Michael;



Just wanted to share a few things with you. I do also come from Delphi background (8 years) and finally decided to move to C# and .Net. During this transition, I realized how much extra work it's required to develop DB applications in .Net, especially being disconnected by nature. So I took early route of creating my own DAL and BLL and tried different situations. The amount of work was too much before you could even get to the heart of the application, so I started looking at different ORM systems (for one year), tried many of them, but each seemed to address one area and come short in many areas. Some looked very complete, but the pricing was way too high. Most of them, only addressed the database part and not as "Application Framework". One night, I was on a competitor forum when someone had asked about StrataFrame. I did the search and found this site.



The important factors were:

a) I needed a framework

b) I didn't want to bother with the ORM part and just focused on the Business Layer.

c) Easy way to do validation and tell user what's wrong;

d) I had created my own role based security in Delphi and didn't want to go thru that again.

e) I also wanted to develop 3-trier apps, without a major change to my local app.

f) And I wanted a system that's down to earth and can be used in real apps.

g) needed to deploy the database easily.



I spent a month asking questions, and the SF developers answered all my questions. And from reading the forum, the support was better than any other company I had dealt with. Well guess what, you get answers from the same people who developed the product from ground up.



I purchased the product, which you get a lot more than you pay for, but decided to take the training course. I'm not saying the help is incomplete, but you really see how much work has gone into this product in 5 days course. Trent and Ben, were great and personal to answer all of our questions.



I'm sure you'll get answer to your questions, but I wanted to share this with you and tell you, you have found a great product, give it good chance and you'll be glad you did. I can use some Delphi friends here...



Good luck and hope to see around!

..ßen

Ben,

Thank you for the response. BTW, I don't find Delphi's data access approach particularly innovative (or consistent). PowerBuilder has had a rational "disconnected" database approach since 1991. I see plenty of echos within StrataFrame. Also auto-generation of multiple presentation styles (including Label: TextBox) was present from day 1.

I appreciate your confidence in StataFrame, and I will keep it in mind as I continue my exploration.

Regards,
Mike