One of the technologies which I applied during this period was the use of XML and XSL. This technology allows the client PC to be responsible to render the user interface, in other words, to create the html. In this way the server only sends data to the client in XML format.

Later I changed my HTML approach to Rich Internet Application (RIA). RIA provided the developer with tools to create more interactive applications. I used Flash as a user interface tool. I wanted to use FLEX but it was far out of our budget. So, I built a complete user interface using Macromedia Flash 8. In this way the server delivers XML to the Flash application running in the client Internet navigator which will interact with the XML according the user needs. There is not the complete page refreshing with each click like the HTML approach. With Flash only the part needed to be refreshed will change. The user can have multiple system windows running at the same time.

Here there are some projects I developed during this period of time.

One problem regarding the development of a program to run in the Windows environment was that it had to be installed in each client for its best performance. I didn’t like that approach because it increases the maintenance work, and also the deployment of new versions of the software required re-installing in each client PC.

I became very interested in Web development because what the client just needed is any Internet navigator. No installation was necessary, and any update was transparent for the user. Of course the web technology was very new, and at that time it was considered a risk to make an Enterprise Application using web technology. However, I decided to play my cards.

These are some of the projects I developed during this period of time.

During this time I learned how other systems work and how to integrate the software I was building with them. It was quite challenging sometimes because of the lack of documentation regarding their data structures in case of integration with other software. Always the process of trail and error served as the best learning tool.

I have a degree in Accounting, and during this period I also learned to apply computer skills with accounting skills in order to provide a productive software.

During this period I was experimenting with Web development technologies and relational databases. I become familiar with the 3 layers web application model.

These systems were replaced by a Web Application developed between 1998 and 2002.

FoxPro V.1 was in development offering a very nice programing interface. It was not very fast yet and its compiler was not able to create .exe files. CA-Clipper was a very fast compiler for its time, and because it created .exe files, it was preferable. I learned Clipper from a book and trial and error.

It is very interesting to remember how in a monitor with 80 columns and 25 rows was possible to put a lot of information.

With the arrival of FoxPro V.2.5 with a friendly programing interface and the possibility of compiling .exe files, programing became more interesting. FoxPro V.2 introduced “Builder” options, like: Screen Builder, Menu Builder, and Report Builder. This kind of graphical way of programing was a great help speeding the development process.

This is a summary of my projects:

These systems were replaced by a Web Application developed between 2000 and 2002