Customer Reviews

Debugging Visual FoxPro Applications

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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This is a great work, very well designed and executed. In addition to technical information, the book provides accurate and valuable advice about the art of debugging. For example, Folsom advises the developer to fix the problem, not just the manifestation of the problem. If the developer fixes the manifestation only, it becomes much harder to find and fix the problem, which remains. This wisdom is usually developed only over time, but Folsom makes it available to all, including beginners (along with lots of other good and crucial information). This is an excellent book and a great resource for the VFP community. (It is also helpful to developers using technologies other than VFP.)

Overall the book was great and I learned form it. The thing I like about it best is that it's explicit. It does a great job in pointing out the things we take for granted after we've been in the game for a while. While I never called it that, I use my own form of the scientific method and sometimes have the hardest time figuring out why others don't do the same naturally. That chapter alone is worth the price of admission!

The only thing I disliked about the book was that chapters 1 and 2 seemed to be heavy on quotes and references, but light on opinions. I didn't know what it was trying to get across to me. It read like a bibliography and didn't make assertions.

Applies scientific methodology to debugging. Covers defects, bugs and 'issues' that keep software from meeting specifications and expectations.
A timesaver based on practical experience.

Ms. Folsom has hit all of the salient points to debugging Visual FoxPro applications. And, surprise, she's also nailed the critical points about debugging any application.

This book is a treasure for anyone who wants to professionally debug their application before inflicting it on the unsuspecting user. The author methidically details how to ensure that your application runs right and what to do when it doesn't. It's a must for any Visual FoxPro developer and a good read for any other developer.