Jumat, 23 Mei 2014

Foxpro Programming Experts Support Legacy Systems

By Marci Glover


When a language loses its popularity due to changes in the market, it may still need to be supported. For example, many companies still have a requirement for Foxpro programming skills, even though the popularity of this language has declined dramatically. Such older systems will always need to be kept up to date with changes if they are to retain any usefulness to the organization.

In fact, the reality is that such older systems may often be mission-critical, as they were developed in response to a pressing need. It is hard to predict the future, and legacy systems which are still extremely written in languages which are no longer popular are very common. Possibly the situation will need to be addressed, but until this happens there is a niche market for some very rare skill sets.

Once a company has found a dependable supply of the right programmers, it is unlikely to change while it still uses the systems. Legacy systems may often crash due to changes in operating systems or networking software, and such crashes demand a rapid response. You do not want unskilled programmers learning on some very critical software.

You might even need more than emergency support, as new functions may need to be developed to help the system retain its usefulness to the company. It may also be necessary to link the system to newer software so that it is not necessary to capture the same data twice. While recapturing is sometimes used, there is a strong possibility that errors will creep in and finding the problem may require time-consuming exercise and detailed comparison of inputs.

Unfortunately, changes to an old system may be needed due to the business environment changing or even alterations in applicable legislation. When this happens, you want somebody with the necessary programming knowledge to undertake the work. Only specialized outsourcing companies will have a mix of the right skills readily available.

Sooner or later these dinosaur systems will require to be re-developed to make them easier to maintain and more user friendly. Even here, it is necessary for someone who knows the language in which the system is written to document all the current activities and functions. Unless this is done, important aspects may frequently slip through the cracks, as the current users are unlikely to be aware of everything the system does behind the scenes.

Computer systems can have a big impact on the way you run your business, and eventually they determine how the company operates. Until you have a system in place, it is likely that the way you do things changes frequently. Your business runs more smoothly once a good system has been designed which lets all relevant transactions be recorded without the need for frequent ad hoc administrative changes.

Well-designed systems can give a company a competitive edge, as well as provide excellent information to help manage the business. If you have systems written in Foxpro, it is best to be sure you will have sufficient skilled developers to help keep your software current. The right firm of consultants will make this a cinch, and can also help keep your costs within bounds.




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