/*Overcoming Common Challenges In Software Development*/

Staying Up To Date

Software developers are usually well-versed in a few different coding disciplines – from PHP, C#, or Javascript to one of the many countless others. Building a new product takes a lot of time, concentration, and coordination. As a result, devs will typically get so wrapped up in new releases, bug fixes, and feature requests, that they forgot software updates and continue to build in the way they know best.

This issue is avoided with DataFlex. Not only does it automatically receive new features when users upgrade to the latest version – but the knock-on effect is that they also enjoy a seamless experience when using the product.

Developers can immediately apply the new features, and it’ll all be done in the DataFlex. No new script, language or framework required. In other words: while innovation in DataFlex is not automatic, it is a natural extension of the existing framework.

Gradual Learning Curve

Developers are experts. But competence takes time. While many longer-established coders are largely self-taught, those getting into development often find that there’s a steep learning curve associated with mastery – at least where most coding languages are concerned.

There are a lot of different elements to learn – both front-end and back-end – such as design, UX, UI, as well as web and mobile apps. But as DataFlex is both high-level and object-oriented, a lot of the heavy lifting is alleviated.

For example, you can make a sub-class based on an existing class, or even make a mixin class. And when a DataFlex update is installed, sub classes and mixin classes will keep working. As a result, code can be reused; faults are automatically flagged and easily pinpointed; and changes can be made without disrupting or damaging existing code.

Faster And More Efficient

As you’ve probably guessed already, a lot of the features already mentioned also quicken the pace of development. But there are other benefits that make DataFlex a fast and efficient coding language for new and established developers.

In fact, as a lot of the design elements are implicit, they don’t need to be altered. And as data files are all centralized, this also enhances development speed.

As the name suggests, DataFlex code is inherently flexible, too. This means that developers can create subclasses and libraries, further reducing the need to duplicate code. Additionally, if a particular class – or component – is created and needs to be changed, it can be easily modified once: an action which changes all instances of the same object. In other languages, each change would need to be implemented separately to each component, but as DataFlex is centralized, all the hard work is essentially automated.

What’s also special about DataFlex is that our business rules are placed in a central repository. Access to any data always takes place via these central sets of validations. If rules change, change them only once, and from whichever part of the code data is accessed, the same rules apply.

Compatible And Portable

DataFlex code is easily portable between different operating systems. This ability to switch seamlessly between different backends is possible because DataFlex uses intermediate bytecode – as opposed to machine-code, which is essentially the ‘finished product’.

DataFlex comes with its own embedded database, but applications can be deployed on other backends (MS SQL, Oracle, MySQL, etc) easily and without code changes. Simply deploy the application with the appropriate database driver.

Similarly, DataFlex supports many different database environments, including Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM Db2, MySQL and PostgreSQL, making integration much easier than most developers are used to.

Ready To Use: Out Of The Box

One thing that those new to using DataFlex often discover early on is that there’s less ‘freedom’ than they’re used to. The lanes they have to move in are indeed a little narrower – but that’s by design. DataFlex is ready to use: out of the box. It’s a framework aimed at developing database applications very quickly. It’s not that it’s limited in any way – compared with other programming languages – it’s just more complete from the outset.

To give a comparison – consider how houses are built. Instead of building with bricks and cement (as would be the case with most programming languages), DataFlex essentially hands you four walls and a roof; giving users a significant head start.

Invest Once, Use For Decades

Although we’re obviously biased, we have no hesitation in saying that DataFlex is more intelligent than most other software; principally because the way it’s set up allows developers to significantly reduce the amount of time and effort involved in creating robust database applications – thanks to a whole host of standout features.

While, of course, customization is possible, functionality doesn’t come at any additional expense. No arduous upgrades or planned obsolescence here. As we like to say: “Invest once, use it for decades.”

Ready to make the switch to DataFlex? Try it for free today!

Note: this blog is written by a copywriter, based on an interview with Bram!