By Marci Glover


Computer languages often enjoy an increase in popularity, and may also gradually decline in popularity after reaching a peak. Those companies who have older systems written in the platform will be pleased to get suitable Foxpro programming expertise to support such software. Even older systems need to be updated to in they are to retain their usefulness

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.

Companies with such legacy systems are usually keen to assure themselves of ongoing support at all times. Changes to computer software may cause older systems to crash, and assistance may then be needed urgently. In an emergency situation, there is usually no time for inexperienced programmers to learn the software before they deal with the problem.

New functions may also need to be added to keep up with new ways of doing business and retain a competitive edge. Interfaces to newly-installed software may also be necessary to prevent redundancy and an increased error rate. Often this interfacing is best done via the database, but sometimes additional information may need to be captured. It is best not to simply resort to re-capturing data, as this option is too error-prone.

Another problem arises when the way a company operates changes, so that a legacy system may need to be adapted to support the new requirements. This is highly-skilled work, and you cannot afford to have it done by people with inadequate experience in the appropriate language.

Eventually, re-developing the system may be an option, especially if the business needs have changed substantially over the years or the Foxpro system has become unstable. It will then be necessary for someone to document how the software functions, so that this information can be input into a new design. In many cases an old system will be a mysterious black box to the current users, who may have very little understanding of what it does.

Experienced developers know that system help stabilize a business. Until a system is in place, companies are often at the mercy of ad hoc administrative decisions, and it can be difficult to keep track because of all the changes to manual systems. Software which has been thought through properly will support your workforce and make it easy to monitor results, as you can be sure that everything necessary has been recorded and accounted for.

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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