Several questions... before I buy the license

Developers General
#1

Hi! I’ve downloaded the trial version and I’ve been quite satisfied so far.

I am planning to develop a ERP system for SMEs. I already have the business logic. I just want to make a really informed decision if SC can help me achieve my system.

  1. Are the codes fully-customizable?
  • Would it be possible to generate the source code from ScriptCase then edit and modify it afterwards using an IDE, say Zend Studio or NetBeans?
  • I would like to customize the software

  1. Is CSS fully supported or is it just limited to the CSS options available in SC?

  2. Simultaneous DB access / Internal Locking

  • Since an ERP can have multiple users accessing it simultaenously, is there way in SC to do this database locking to maintain data integrity? Or should I just do it in SQL-level
  1. I am planning to sell the software, I already have potential clients.
  • Can I hide the source code when I deploy it to my client’s servers?
  • Or would any guy with basic PHP knowledge be able to access my code?
  • Or would I need to buy and install ScriptCase to each of my client’s server for this to work?
  1. Cloud computing
  • Is ScriptCase’s framework scalable enough for cloud computing? I mean accessing it via the Internet and not the LAN

That’s it for now. I apologize for the many questions.

Looking forward.

#2

Re: Several questions… before I buy the license

  1. Are the codes fully-customizable?
  • Would it be possible to generate the source code from ScriptCase then edit and modify it afterwards using an IDE, say Zend Studio or NetBeans?
  • I would like to customize the software

You would have to determine this for yourself. SC creates PHP code, but many of the vars, functions, etc are in Portuguese. You also have to take into account that depending on what you change is subject to die when you regenerate. You are allowed to create functions that are static and will remain, but that limits what you can change. This would be unique to you and your project.

I found it difficult to maintain any custom changes in the generated code itself. You should be able to review the generated code using the trial and judge for yourself.

At the end of the day, it is PHP, but does carry a lot of baggage that is duplicated for each app.

  1. Is CSS fully supported or is it just limited to the CSS options available in SC?
  1. Simultaneous DB access / Internal Locking
  • Since an ERP can have multiple users accessing it simultaenously, is there way in SC to do this database locking to maintain data integrity? Or should I just do it in SQL-level

WYSIWYG on the DB functions in SC. You would have to perform anything else on your own.

You can provide any CSS changes you want using your own CSS files. I have used custom CSS files in several projects. I did not however try to override what was built into a SC theme, but it should be possible.

  1. I am planning to sell the software, I already have potential clients.
  • Can I hide the source code when I deploy it to my client’s servers?
  • Or would any guy with basic PHP knowledge be able to access my code?
  • Or would I need to buy and install ScriptCase to each of my client’s server for this to work?

The generated code is PHP. You would have to protect it using something like SC does. I believe they use Zend.
Anyone could make changes if you did not protect it. Again, making changes to SC generated code is not very friendly.
Installing SC on each client would not help and would be very costly. I license per install.

  1. Cloud computing
  • Is ScriptCase’s framework scalable enough for cloud computing? I mean accessing it via the Internet and not the LAN

Are you talking about using the SC IDE over the LAN? Yes it is possible. If you have a decent connection, it is fine. I worked on a project a year ago where I logged into a remove server to create code.

If you need any additional information, please let me know.

Regards,
Scott.

#3

Re: Several questions… before I buy the license

I would not build an ERP application with an IDE that I have little experience with. Are you sure you want to take this risk and maybe find out along the way that SC was not the right environment after all?

Try some smaller projects first, than make this decision!

#4

Re: Several questions… before I buy the license

I would not build an ERP application with an IDE that I have little experience with. Are you sure you want to take this risk and maybe find out along the way that SC was not the right environment after all?

Try some smaller projects first, than make this decision!

I completely agree. Nothing worse than having to discard several months worth of work … been there done, done that.
You should evaluate your requirements and then make a decision from there.

Limitations are unique to each project and greater, each developer. I will leave it at that.

Regards,
Scott.

#5

Re: Several questions… before I buy the license

in my opinion we can create a ‘big’ project such as ERP with sc because with blank form the limitation has gone, but the main problem is

  1. size will be increase , bigger than we are expected.
  2. sourcecode is like 'worm ’ difficult to manual modify (some source unreadable)

regards
masbro

#6

Re: Several questions… before I buy the license

I’m just wondering; what’s the aversion to using one of the opensource ERP solutions already out there (Compiere, Openbravo etc and their derivatives)?

#7

Re: Several questions… before I buy the license

i say that we can create our self application on sc not depend on other open ERP but if you want to manage some erp app with sc we can do that with joomla on jummi ext

regards
masbro

#8

Re: Several questions… before I buy the license

The only reason I can think of to build your own ERP (in SC or any other IDE) is that your company has very unique processes that need unique functionality. Otherwise, stay with the already available ERP applications.

#9

Re: Several questions… before I buy the license

agree just wise man said “…keep it simple stupid” :slight_smile:

regards
masbro

#10

Re: Several questions… before I buy the license

Hi.
I never had to think develop a system like a ERP, there are a lot of software providers who have ERP made from long time ago, totally functional, experimented and cheap. “Don?t invent the wheel again”. SC is a tool to build new projects, especific projects, with some restrictions.
Regards
JG

#11

Re: Several questions… before I buy the license

I developed an MRP system many years ago, it was a task. (FoxPro 2.6 DOS, ugh)
I would look at the OpenSource versions first and see if they help, but I understand the need/desire for a custom solution. Our MRP was very unique to the business.

in my opinion we can create a ‘big’ project such as ERP with sc because with blank form the limitation has gone

I would have to argue this point … The limitations are relative to what you need in your project and the hoops you have to jump through to achieve your goal. Sometimes you do not know until you are about to hit the wall. <bg>

I consider SC one of the best ‘generators’ available, but we soon hit walls on several large projects. I consider this a limitation of generators in general, and not exclusive to SC.

Regards,
Scott.