Old DbaseV DOS Programmer wants to step over to new/actual modern program software

[Rustom Mody]

On Sunday, August 16, 2015 at 10:10:18 PM UTC+5:30, AGOSTINHO TEIXEIRA wrote:
> I'm a 25year DBASE-5 DOS programmer and want/have to step over to new program/platform software, because there is no future anymore for DOS after W-XP, I've been looking around for alternatives and cannot figure out where to start, I already have been learning the SQL with SSMS database system/script this is very important because I work mostly with large databases invoicing/stock/statements etc. I always manage my users with design-programs,windows-input,files-views, using custom made windows/input. I did all this in *.prg files with hard-coding. I have some ideas in mind like Java with (ECLIPS) because it is very popular, it is the most widely used and can get tutorials and videos all over the internet. I've read a lot of good things about Python, that it is much easier but too complicate to define what to choose, at the first place witch version 2.x or 3.x, a lot of IDE's to choose from, beside of that witch IDE with what pluggin. I'll need something suitable to manage/manipulate M-SQL. I have a lot of programs to rewrite and not much time, that's why it is very important to me to start with something appropriate with the best software combination that I can learn completely from the internet, cannot go back to the classroom, too old for that. I appreciate very much that any of you can help me to figure out to choose the right software combination for my new project. Thanks....!

Questions
1.
Are you talking MSQL, MS-SQL? Quite different and also different from MySQL

2. How bound are you to your DBMS? If you are going to anyway port DBase-V
to a modern DBMS, you can as well choose a more python-friendly one --
one of postgres, MySql, Sqlite.

Anyways...
Assuming you are committed to MsSql, I'd suggest in sequence:
1. Forget about DBMS and study the python tutorial for a few days
2. Forget get about *your* DBMS and play around with Sqlite that runs out
of the box.  This will familiarize you with python's DBMS model
without the headaches of installing many pieces of softwares
3. Pick a python MsSql library and port your stuff to that