Sunday, August 21, 2011

Converting FOCUS to WebFOCUS: Unsupported Features

If you are getting ready to convert your FOCUS applications over to WebFOCUS, be sure to get my checklist of items you should consider by going to this blog posting.

One thing I failed to mention in that article was that Information Builders eliminated several legacy FOCUS features (text editor, end-user wizards, type to screen, statistical facility, etc.) and did not move them to WebFOCUS. Certain things that you may have done in FOCUS no longer exist in the web version.

Therefore, when analyzing a FOCUS-to-WebFOCUS conversion, look for these old features embedded in the 4GL code:
  • TED (text editor)
  • TABLETALK (end user reporting wizard)
  • MODIFYTALK (end user data maintenance wizard)
  • ANALYZE (statistical analysis)
  • FIDEL (green-screen processor used within MODIFY)
  • FMMAIN (the FOCUS Menu facility)
  • ISHFSHLL (the TSO FOCUS Toolkit)
  • PWREP (the TSO Power Reporter)

Converting batch jobs (MVS JCL) from FOCUS to WebFOCUS can also raise serious issues. For more information, see this blog posting.

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About Me

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Doug Lautzenheiser is a leading subject matter expert in the use of Business Intelligence software within corporate organizations. He is one the top authorities in the WebFOCUS BI software product, from Manhattan-based Information Builders. While a vendor employee, Doug was trained and certified in IB's BI products all the way through the internal workings of the software.

During his 13-year career with IB, Doug led regional education, consulting, and pre-sales technical support services. In addition to being a software vendor employee, Doug spent 7 years with IB customers and 5 years with IB partners.

Doug has provided BI services to organizations such as Procter & Gamble, Wendy's/Arby's Group, Omnicare, TriHealth, Hormel Foods, JPMorgan Chase, MasterCard, the State of Indiana, the State of Oklahoma, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Doug is general manager of Partner Intelligence, a Cincinnati-based consulting firm specializing in BI professional services such as strategic advice, BI application development, and tools/methodologies for automating BI application development tasks.