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Resolved How to migrate a PB desktop application to PB Web/Mobile

  1. How-to
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  1. CJ Lai
    CJ Lai
  2. PowerBuilder
  3. Thursday, 28 May 2020 14:03 PM UTC

Hi

I am a sole PB developer at work and have been tasked  to convert an in-house application from its desktop form to Web and Mobile.

I have not done any Web/Mobile conversion before and I am stuck and needing your help.

The app has been migrated from 2017 R3 to 2019 R2 via PB CloudPro.

I compiled it in CloudPro and got tons of invalid or unsupported objects and function calls. Almost all of them are from the Foundation Class (PFC), which I have no clue what to deal with. I am baffled with the idea that the PFC would be invalid in PB's edition series. But, that's not a showstopper as those errors would not prevent the app from executing.

I can run the app to web (using localhost) and it runs just fine other than a few none-PFC function calls that have been unsupported. Hence my other question -> https://bit.ly/2zww0I2

With having done all that, where does this SnapDevelop feature come into play? How do I utilize it or do I need it at all to convert the app to web/mobile?

Thank you

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Accepted Answer
John Fauss
John Fauss Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Thursday, 28 May 2020 15:37 PM UTC
  2. PowerBuilder
  3. # Permalink

Hi, CJ - 

I think you are dealing with two VERY significant issues:

(1) You are tasked with migrating an existing app to new platforms that the original framework was NEVER designed for. In essence, you're trying to force a square peg into a round hole. This appears to me to be a recipe for disaster (or at least, considerable frustration), but I don't know how small/large, simple/complex this app is. The assumption that this is a reasonable and feasible approach to provide web and mobile versions of this app may be completely wrong simply because the current app is built on what may be an inappropriate framework for these new platforms.

(2) You have a significant learning curve to conquer. I suggest you first try to develop a simple trial/learning app (that is NOT based on the PFC) to help you get up to speed with the techniques and tools. This way you can focus on learning instead of beating your head against a wall trying to tackle both issues simultaneously. You may find as you learn about web and mobile development that it would be better to rewrite/refactor the app or produce a new version that is targeted for the web & mobile platforms.

I'm sure others in the Community will offer up advice as well, all of which I hope helps. Good luck!

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mike S
mike S Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Thursday, 28 May 2020 16:14 PM UTC
  2. PowerBuilder
  3. # 1

 SnapDevelop - this is not needed or used to run your application in web/mobile.  It is for creating .net web apis.  you can use that in your application 

 

Mobile & web.  these are two rather different conversions.  Mobile will probably require you to redesign your screens on top of everything else - because most screens will be too small.

 

 

 

 

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Chris Pollach @Appeon
Chris Pollach @Appeon Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Thursday, 28 May 2020 16:46 PM UTC
  2. PowerBuilder
  3. # 2

Hi CJ;

  The PFC is one area of challenge for sure. Make sure that you ..

1) Use a newer version of the PFC (if possible). PS normally likes that better:

https://github.com/OpenSourcePFCLibraries

2) Read through the PowerServer documentation for the PFC modifications that are required:

https://docs.appeon.com/appeon_online_help/ps2019/migration_guidelines/ch05s02.html

HTH

Regards ... Chris

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Armeen Mazda @Appeon
Armeen Mazda @Appeon Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Thursday, 28 May 2020 16:58 PM UTC
  2. PowerBuilder
  3. # 3

Hi CJ,

Considering you are a single developer for a project that really should have a team and you are finding that the way your app was written has lots of unsupported features, so I would recommend you go for PowerServer 2021. 

Compared to PowerServer 2020, the next version basically supports all PowerBuilder features.

You can contact your account manager to get a free tech meeting with one of our experts to advise you in more detail and also get you on the beta list for PowerServer 2021.

Best regards,
Armeen

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