This is an update to the VistaDB 3.6 preview builds as we continue to push forward towards release. 

The Data Builder now has tabs support on the SQL input windows (yea!).  And some minor display changes.

There are a lot of API changes in this build, but I think we are finished for changes to this version.  The majority of the API changes were to complete the ripping out of the V-Index system that was non standard.  It has been deprecated since VistaDB 3.2 or 3.3, and we are finally removing it.

We also changed the event handler and object class name for monitoring PRINT messages from your SQL Code.  The help has a new topic on how to monitor SQL PRINT messages in your code.  We changed the class to match the naming from SQL Server.

This installer will only be able to uninstall and upgrade 3.6 installs.  If you are running any 3.6 prerelease you can just run this setup.  If you are running any previous 3.x build you must uninstall it first before installing this build.

Continue Reading...

As was discussed in the previous blog post about VistaDB 3.6 we are now ready to being Alpha testing.

Why Alpha? 

This is a new installer.  There could be problems with the install process and I want to work them out quickly.  I expect to have a few releases of 3.6 during the Alpha stage before we are ready for Beta.

There are a lot of internal engine changes.  We have 3 known bugs we are still working right now, but we want to get others started testing as well to make sure we didn’t break anything with existing apps. 

What is in this release?

New Tarma based installer.  I am planning to do another post about our switch to Tarma, but things have gone very smooth so far.  I am quite pleased with the performance and options of the installer.  Their support has also been fantastic and very helpful.

The sample databases are now copied to the shared public folder of users.  Shared Documents\VistaDB\Databases and Scripts are now included.  This is to make it easier to use the demos on a UAC enabled machine without requiring Admin rights.  The blank database template (blank.vdb3) is also copied there now.  When you right click on a folder and add a new database that blank.vdb3 is the file copied.  This allows you to setup defaults you always use (page size, locale, etc) and get them when a new database is built.

Data Migration Wizard is NOT included yet because we are making changes to the interface and functions.  The older DMW will be made available as a separate download for users who need VistaDB 2 migration with instructions on how to use it.

Samples are also not included other than the NUnit test project.  Samples are being restructured and will be ready before the final release of 3.6.

Continue Reading...

The Build 84 Source Edition Update is now available within the Account Manager site. 

See the Build 84 release notes for information about what is included in the current source.

VistaDB Source Edition Information

The full source of the VistaDB engine is made available to companies through a source license agreement.  The source license also requires an active and current subscription to VistaDB.

The purpose of the Source Code is edition is NOT to provide daily builds. It is intended similar to how a source code escrow works.

At each major milestone companies sync up the source code in order to ensure stability in the event one company ceases to exist. We provide these drops at infrequent intervals because the majority of the time the individual builds are not important for a company.

If you want to run your application off the source builds that is fine, but always realize there will be a delay between fixes and source releases. Most companies do not ship nearly as frequently as we do and an occasional source drop gives them time to incorporate at their next update cycle rather than trying to track our current builds.

Continue Reading...

Build #84, 05/15/2009

Build 84 is now available for download from the Account Manager.  This build includes an updated help file and some minor changes.  Continue reading to see the individual items.

Continue Reading...

VistaDB 3.5 includes a number of enchancements to the core tools from the 4.x development work.  

Visual Studio Designer - This designer has a new name (and path).  It is actually most of the new designer from the 4.x line.  We are making a lot of changes to the internal architecture to get ready for client / server and Entity Framework support from a single designer.  The new install path is the InstallDir\VisualStudio to reflect that a single dll is used for all versions of Visual Studio.  The dll has also been renamed to VistaDB.vsdesigner.dll.  

Continue Reading...