Compatibility Between FoxBASE+ and FoxPro for MS-DOSLast reviewed: April 17, 1995Article ID: Q98921 |
The information in this article applies to:
SUMMARYFoxPro will run most FoxBASE+ programs without change. FoxPro is also compatible with dBASE 4, which is not completely compatible with FoxBASE+. Therefore, FoxPro must be informed which type of compatibility is desired by the developer. The information below describes how to ensure nearly complete FoxBASE+ compatibility.
MORE INFORMATIONThe following command (the default) will allow FoxPro to run most programs written in FoxBASE+ and dBASE 3 without change:
SET COMPATIBLE TO FOXPLUSAside from issuing this command, you must make a few other changes to ensure nearly complete FoxBASE+ compatibility. These changes are described below and in Chapter 17 of the "Developer's Guide."
Changing the Configuration of FoxProIn the GOODIES\MISC directory is a special configuration file called CONFIG.FOX. This file configures FoxPro to be almost completely FoxBASE+ compatible. To use this file, rename it CONFIG.FP, or incorporate its contents into a new or currently active CONFIG.FP file.
Emulating FoxBASE+ Keystroke AssignmentsFoxPro's built-in keystroke shortcuts are very similar to those of FoxBASE+/Mac and are also similar to those found in IBM's System Application Architecture (SAA) specification. However, the shortcuts are very different from those in FoxBASE+ for MS-DOS. Fortunately, FoxPro's keystroke macro facility makes it easy to completely emulate FoxBASE+'s keystroke shortcuts. A set of keyboard macros that emulate FoxBASE+'s behavior is provided. These macros are in file called FOXPLUS.FKY, which is located in the GOODIES\MISC directory. If programs rely on the exact keystrokes used to operate FoxBASE+ [and the READKEY() codes they generate], FOXPLUS.FKY should be used. To activate these macros, use the following command:
RESTORE MACROS FROM FOXPLUS.FKYTo automatically load these macros on startup, rename FOXPLUS.FKY to DEFAULT.FKY and place it in the same directory as FOXPRO.EXE.
SET Options Required for FoxBASE+ Emulation
SET NOTIFY OFF && Turns off FoxPro system messages. SET STATUS ON && Turns on old-style status bar. SET SCOREBOARD ON && Turns on old-style scoreboard. SET BRSTATUS ON && Status bar will appear with BROWSE. SET MACKEY TO && Disables "define macro" key, usually F10.Some of the above settings, while required for complete compatibility, are not really desirable for use in FoxPro. A good example is SET STATUS ON, which activates the old-style status bar. Although this is not really useful in native FoxPro mode, it is included for backward compatibility.
Unavoidable IncompatibilitiesFoxPro is as perfectly compatible with FoxBASE+ as possible, given that it is an entirely different product. However, some of FoxPro's extensions have introduced a few minor areas where incompatibilities are inescapable.
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Additional reference words: FoxDos 2.00 2.50 2.50a 2.60
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