14 replies to this topic

[Ajaym]

I've a potential new client who needs to migrate a ProIV (1.5) application to a newer Unix Box. Anybody has any ideas what is involved (basic steps). At present this is the only information I have. I'm not too familiar with installing ProIV, and migration/porting etc.. My expertise is Glovia, ProIV Superlayer and Oracle.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Ajay

[Richard Bassett]

Suggest you find out at least the following to help us help you.
Are they intending/expecting to upgrade their version of ProIV?
Exactly what is their current hardware/software platform? (Is it Unix?)
Exactly what is the new hardware/software platform they wish to move to?

[Ajaym]

Thanks Richard

Current System : Unix; Pro IV 1.5
New System : Unix ; Latest Pro IV 5.5

At present the client is only looking for a generic steps (1 page noddy guide) to what is involved.

Final software/harware configuration may depend on the Cost (implementaion,licensing, hardware etc.)

This is new trrritory for me, so I'm little (lot) green.

Ajay

[Bill Loven]

Ajay, if your client can afford a ProIv colsultant, I would contact ProIV directly. Thay have a lot of expirence doing what you want.

We have used them and they are great.

HTH

Bill

[Joseph Bove]

Ajaym,

On a generic level:

For testing

copy the source code to the new server
install ProIV 5.5
isin dbase.out or vip.out (depending on which environment you want)
Note: New 5.5 versions do not include dbase.out
You'll then have to run a number of source code updates to make the 1.5 work on 5.5
Then, GEN the system
Do system performance testing - especially test printing, keyboard emulations (if you'll still support green screens), user logins and transparent logins (if any).
Note: There is a good chance the passwords stored in the ProIV security file will corrupt in the first character

When you're ready to go live:

simply "freeze" the old application
repeat the steps from above

A project like this will require a significant amount of work. If everything goes "right", you could wrap it up in as little as 10 hours. However, I'd expect a number of surprises with older functions not working as expected in 5.5

As Bill has suggested, a ProIV consultant would not be a bad way to go.

hth,

Joseph

[Mike Nicholson]

You'll then have to run a number of source code updates to make the 1.5 work on 5.5

That's a hell of a version jump. I remember having significant problems migrating from 1.5 to version 4 when it first appeared, add to that all the potential issues with dots/underscores and reserved property words in version 5 and there's quite a lot of work there, followed by a lot more testing.

Not suggesting you don't so it - just saying be warned that it's perhaps not as simple as Joseph's post might have made it sound to somebody that's not tried this before.

Cheers

Mike

[Lewis Mccabe]

Ajaym,

Your problems will be with functions which bend the rules. Joseph is not underestimating a minimum of 10 hours. We have had great conversions like that. Unfortunately, they are not the rule. You will get killed when you convert functions written by inexperienced PRO-IV guys or when a programmer ran up against an issue and tricked PRO-IV into making it work. These functions at a minimum will have to be debugged. In the worst case they will have to be rewritten. Your problem in quoting this job will be determing up front a percentage of functions which will not port cleanly. Of that percentage, how many are complicated core functions and how many are simple. This is not easy to do. Make sure you leave the door open in your quote for this.

Lew

[Ajaym]

Thank you all very much for your insight into potential problems/pitfalls. I had suspected some of these and hence (just to confirm) my post.

I'll pass on the comments to the client.

Will keep you posted.

Ajay

[Phil Proscia]

Ajay, you should tell the customer to hire someone experienced at this. Maybe these guys don't
know who you are but I do.

[Phil]

Ajay, you should tell the customer to hire someone experienced at this. Maybe these guys don't
know who you are but I do.

[Phil]

Ajay, you should tell the customer to hire someone experienced at this. Maybe these guys don't
know who you are but I do.

It's true Rob Morgan you need to get someone experienced at this.

Edited by Phil, 09 November 2005 - 09:42 AM.

[Rob Morgan]

Actually I am Rob Morgan. And just to clarify this is my first post on this thread !!!

[Bob Filipiak]

Ajaym,

I, also, evaluated moving a Unix based Pro-IV system PRE ver 1.5 to version 5.

Financially speaking, I could not justify the expense and time involved as,

1) It would be just me doing the work;
2) I had other business related responsibilities; and
3) I saw the learning curve for version 5 at 89 degrees from horizontal.

My two cents worth. Think LONG and hard before you walk that path. Take two weeks off (if you can afford it); and think hard again.

Bob Filipiak

[Tony Waszkiewicz]

Hi,

There used to be an official proiv product that would take your source code and analyse it against the latest standards and produce a report of what needed changing.

proiv also offer this servcie so i would suggest that you contact them and see if this is still available and find out how helpful they are.

regards