Converting an application from one database environment to another takes time, patience, and resources. Because of the differences between platforms, a multiple-step conversion process is recommended. This approach provides multiple analysis points and makes the overall project development process more flexible.
This strategy provides a framework you can use when converting an application from a Btrieve-based implementation to a full ODBC and structured query language (SQL) implementation that accesses Microsoft SQL Server. Converting the application in several steps creates separate checkpoints that allow you to evaluate the status and direction of the conversion process at each stage of the project life cycle. The conversion strategy addresses the following areas:
The following illustration presents the application architecture implemented at each stage of the conversion process. The components of this illustration are analyzed in detail throughout the next two sections of this chapter.