ProFox April 2025

profox@leafe.com

20 participants
13 discussions

FmPro Migrator ???
by Kurt Wendt 05 May '25

05 May '25

Hello there Oh Mighty ProFox Hive Mind! As many of you know - I've been doing a lot of digging in to AI recently - to use it as a Tool for FoxPro system conversion. We are now at the point of looking at weather to use an Online AI tool (like Claude or CoPilot) vs. using a Local LLM (like Ollama and loading it with an AI Model). So, today - for the Hell of it - I put a question to the M$ CoPilot, essentially asking AI which AI option is the Best to use - for doing a conversion - using this prompt: What are the best AI options to use for trying to convert older Visual FoxPro code to a WPF based C#/.Net platform, in order to automate as much as possible the conversion of a FoxPro based system?? Honestly - I was Very Surprised by it's answer: For automating the conversion of Visual FoxPro code to a WPF-based C#/.NET platform, you might consider tools like FmPro Migrator. It offers a Code Conversion Workbench that supports automated conversion of Visual FoxPro PRG files and form code into C#. This tool allows you to manage the conversion process efficiently, customize machine learning prompts, and even train AI models to improve the quality of the converted code. Additionally, it integrates with tools like GitHub Copilot X and Visual Studio IntelliCode to refine the output further. As such, my question to the ProFox Hive - has anyone ever heard of this FmPro Migrator? Or, does anyone have any actual experience using it?? TIA, -Kurt

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Further Down the AI Rabbit Hole...
by Kurt Wendt 22 Apr '25

22 Apr '25

So - I wanted to take a few moments to give folks an update on my progress with using AI - as it all is directly related to FoxPro. My initial trials were all with CoPilot on the M$ main search page in my Browser. That is where I was first trying out having AI generate FoxPro code for me. Of course, once I realized it could GIVE me VFP code - it stood to reason - it should understand VFP code and thus turn around and allow me to feed it VPF code and return back C# code to me. I did some attempts at that with some VERY basic screen designs of my own - and I had success. But, as RK had pointed out, it would not be a great idea to upload co. Code to the web for doing code conversions - which I completely agreed with. As such, I started a deep dive into exploring the usage of an AI engine installed locally on my machine. In this case, it's Ollama - the engine produced by Meta. And, after you install the engine - you then need to load an actual AI model. For those of you who are Fearless and want to dive into local AI engine usage... First, you need to DL the main Ollama engine (I'm using it on Windows): https://ollama.com/download Then, from something like PowerShell - you will run Ollama - but, you will need to call it with a specific AI Model (as well as Model size). So, at Powershell prompt - you would do (as an example): ollama run codellama:34b FYI - the Model sizes you can run are specifically based upon Memory size of your computer. There are a ton of Models. For instance, you can filter by model type, like those for coding: https://ollama.com/search?q=code But - here's w/o filtering - to show you all the models: https://ollama.com/search Now, in my case - I was trying the Codellama and also Deepseek-Coder-V2. But, I hate to say it - it was all painfully frustrating. Neither one of them was able to actually produce C# code based upon a FoxPro screen. I did also try LLama3.1 - the 8b version - and I was able to get some C# code output based upon FoxPro input. But, It was not completely viable C#. Then, someone here - a fellow ProFoxer - he suggested Claude.ai. In particular, he actually pointed me to Claude Code - which can run locally. In fact, if you look at the following webpage and play the video - I think the power behind Claude Code is WILD: https://www.anthropic.com/solutions/coding But, I found I could not try Claude Code for free. So, I opted for trying Claude - the web version - for free. And, I had some great success. Problem was, once I gave it a more complicated screen - I was hitting the limits of what Claude allowed me to do with the free access. So, yeah - I decided to Bite the Bullet - and go ahead and create a paid account for $20 for one month. I figured, in my case - it would be worth it. Turns out it WAS worth it - and I have been fruitful at giving it FoxPro screens and getting back WPF based C#/.Net code. As such - now the REAL Fun begins! As a side note, I was speaking to a programmer buddy of mine back in NYC this past weekend. He has Also used a bit of AI as a tool for his work. But, he fears that AI could potentially take his job away. I told him - he's wrong about that - and, instead - there's a Better way to look at things. That is - to USE AI - to understand it and implement it - and it will end up making HIM more efficient at work. So, instead of Fearing AI - one should Harness AI to their own advantage!!! So - Upwards and Onwards! -K

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A Foxy Background...
by Kurt Wendt 22 Apr '25

22 Apr '25

...on my screen. It just appeared - I thought it would be an Awesome share with the group here! https://imgur.com/mEi1gdq -K

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Virtual Fox Fest 2025 (May): Register today, save $20
by Rick Schummer 22 Apr '25

22 Apr '25

Virtual Fox Fest 2025 (May) is on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Today (April 22nd) is the last day you can save $20, so please go register now (https://geekgatherings.com/registration) If you wait until tomorrow, the price goes up to $139. Only 15 days until we gather on the Internet! Rick White Light Computing, Inc.

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NF - old dogs and new tricks they say
by Stephen Russell 17 Apr '25

17 Apr '25

If you are considering a web app, I have done a few with Blazor. This is an article from Code on the same thing. I use a framework on top of Blazor for presentation, MudBlazor. https://www.codemag.com/Article/2503041/Building-Modern-Web-Applications-Us… For getting data you could use APIs or standard sql connections to various databases. -- Stephen Russell Sr. Analyst Ring Container Technology Oakland TN 901.246-0159 cell --- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts --- multipart/alternative text/plain (text body -- kept) text/html ---

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FoxPro, AI & GCode - Oh My...
by Kurt Wendt 13 Apr '25

13 Apr '25

I'm posting this - since I think some folks on here might find this curious. Especially since somewhat recently there were a couple posts in LinkedIn Fox Dev groups - about using AI to generate FoxPro code. I recently started work on a little pet project. And, since I am now doing FoxPro fulltime, I figured doing some fun VFP coding on my lunch breaks would actually be FUN to do! Figured I would share a little about that project here... But, first - the backstory about the project... As I was traveling across the USA - on my way to Cleveland, OH from SoCal - I stopped at a buddy of mine in Utah. He's a 3D printing guy & a Youtuber by the name of Joe the 3D Printing Professor (feel free to search for him on YouTube - he is rather entertaining!). I originally met him in person in 2018 - on my original cross country journey from NY to CA. So, it was great to see him. While we were hanging out in this MakerSpace (where he works to oversee the space), in the St. Georges Utah library - we were chatting about a personal project of mine. And, for that project - it's a kind of 3D Design issue I was discussing with him. After chatting for a bit, he jumped on his computer and opened up Blender - to suggest a way to easily model my concept - which is based upon making a 3D tree (but, with a number of rules). However, even as he was doing it - I pointed out issues with what he was creating (issues where it didn't follow my rules). Suddenly he jumped up, erased all this writing on a white board and he began to quickly outline a rather elaborate algorithm. Because, in fact, like me - he has a bit of a programming background. And, his whole algorithm that was outlining not only shapes and how to produce them, he was also considering things like an array to store certain data as part of the process. Now, normally in the world of 3D Printing - you using a modeling program, then export an STL file. Then, you use a program called a Slicer to Slice that STL file into GCode. Then, the GCode is fed into a 3D printer, and that code runs the printer. However, my buddy was like - why not generate GCode directly! And, it became an obsession in my head as I was driving across the country. Then I finally began trying to write a FoxPro program to generate GCode. Now, one complication I had was - how do I easily determine if 2 lines actually intersect. Well, I realized I could ask AI for that answer. I initially asked CoPilot to give me an algorithm for finding the intersection. Which it did. But, then I thought - when not see if AI could generate actual VFP code to do what I needed. So, here was my Prompt for CoPilot: Can you write Visual FoxPro code that allows me to determine the coordinate value for the intersection of 2 lines, based upon the X & Y endpoints of each of those 2 lines? Here was what it generated - which is valid code: * Define the endpoints of the lines LOCAL x1, y1, x2, y2, x3, y3, x4, y4 x1 = 1 && X-coordinate of the first endpoint of the first line y1 = 2 && Y-coordinate of the first endpoint of the first line x2 = 4 && X-coordinate of the second endpoint of the first line y2 = 6 && Y-coordinate of the second endpoint of the first line x3 = 1 && X-coordinate of the first endpoint of the second line y3 = 6 && Y-coordinate of the first endpoint of the second line x4 = 4 && X-coordinate of the second endpoint of the second line y4 = 2 && Y-coordinate of the second endpoint of the second line * Calculate the intersection point LOCAL xIntersect, yIntersect, denominator denominator = (x1 - x2) * (y3 - y4) - (y1 - y2) * (x3 - x4) IF denominator == 0 * Lines are parallel or coincident, no intersection xIntersect = .NULL. yIntersect = .NULL. MESSAGEBOX("The lines are parallel or coincident and do not intersect.") ELSE xIntersect = ((x1 * y2 - y1 * x2) * (x3 - x4) - (x1 - x2) * (x3 * y4 - y3 * x4)) / denominator yIntersect = ((x1 * y2 - y1 * x2) * (y3 - y4) - (y1 - y2) * (x3 * y4 - y3 * x4)) / denominator MESSAGEBOX("Intersection point: (" + STR(xIntersect) + ", " + STR(yIntersect) + ")") ENDIF I also had AI generate some other code to draw a circle on the screen, using Polar coordinates to Cartesian coordinate conversion, and allowing input of a Radius. So, I used that code to wrap the from code above - so, if you run this code - it generates lines crossing and pops up with a message with the intersection: * Define the endpoints of the lines LOCAL x1, y1, x2, y2, x3, y3, x4, y4 x1 = 10 && X-coordinate of the first endpoint of the first line y1 = 60 && Y-coordinate of the first endpoint of the first line x2 = 40 && X-coordinate of the second endpoint of the first line y2 = 25 && Y-coordinate of the second endpoint of the first line x3 = 1 && X-coordinate of the first endpoint of the second line y3 = 6 && Y-coordinate of the first endpoint of the second line x4 = 54 && X-coordinate of the second endpoint of the second line y4 = 72 && Y-coordinate of the second endpoint of the second line * Create a form to draw the circle LOCAL oForm oForm = CREATEOBJECT("Form") oForm.Width = 400 oForm.Height = 400 oForm.Show() oForm.DrawWidth = 1 oForm.DrawStyle = 0 oForm.Line(X1, Y1, X2, Y2) && Draw a small line segment to create the circle oForm.DrawWidth = 1 oForm.DrawStyle = 0 oForm.Line(X3, Y3, X4, Y4) && Draw a small line segment to create the circle * Calculate the intersection point LOCAL xIntersect, yIntersect, denominator denominator = (x1 - x2) * (y3 - y4) - (y1 - y2) * (x3 - x4) IF denominator == 0 * Lines are parallel or coincident, no intersection xIntersect = .NULL. yIntersect = .NULL. MESSAGEBOX("The lines are parallel or coincident and do not intersect.") ELSE xIntersect = ((x1 * y2 - y1 * x2) * (x3 - x4) - (x1 - x2) * (x3 * y4 - y3 * x4)) / denominator yIntersect = ((x1 * y2 - y1 * x2) * (y3 - y4) - (y1 - y2) * (x3 * y4 - y3 * x4)) / denominator MESSAGEBOX("Intersection point: (" + STR(xIntersect) + ", " + STR(yIntersect) + ")") ENDIF Lastly - for those who are curious to see what GCode actually looks like, I'm including several lines of code, the 1st being a comment line. I will include a couple of the command lines, and even some comments per line - to explain what some of them do: ; generated by PrusaSlicer 2.8.0+win64 on 2025-03-24 at 11:02:10 UTC ; external perimeters extrusion width = 0.42mm M205 S0 T0 ; sets the minimum extruding and travel feed rate, mm/sec G90 ; use absolute coordinates M140 S60 ; set final bed temp M104 S210 ; set final nozzle temp - Yes, that's 210 Celsius G1 Z0.28 F240 ; Movement of the printer in the Z direction G1 X117.315 Y90.902 E.04751 ; Movement of the print head in X & Y, from prior location to that new X/Y location, with plastic extrusion based upon amount listed by "E" I hope some folks find this a tad interesting... L8r G8rs, -Kurt

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[Admin] Archive Errors & Missing Emails...
by Kurt Wendt 13 Apr '25

13 Apr '25

Hey Ed, I was looking at the posting I made recently - on the Archive website. And, when I hit button for Full Thread, I get this error: OMG, something went wrong! 404 Not Found: No message with id=518309 exists Also, the Thread in question is - "FoxPro, AI & GCode - Oh My...". I saw the reply from Alan in my Inbox, as well as in the Archives. But, oddly, I did NOT get the email reflection for the reply from W00dy. -Kurt

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[ADMIN] Testing DKIM configuration
by Ed Leafe 03 Apr '25

03 Apr '25

Sending this from my gmail account to see if it posts correctly... -- Ed Leafe

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Forum Emails Getting Blocked!
by Kurt Wendt 03 Apr '25

03 Apr '25

Hey there Ed, I know some folks here in the forum have posted similar situations - where the ProFox forum emails get Blocked. I've been having the same situation here at my new job. We are using MS 365. And, when emails from the forum come in, I get an email with this Subject line: Microsoft 365 security: You have messages in quarantine Then in body of email: Review These Messages 1 messages are being held for you to review as of 4/2/2025 6:12:37 PM (UTC). Review them within 30 days of the received date by going to the Quarantine page in the Security Center. Prevented phish messages Sender: profox-bounces(a)leafe.com Subject: Virtual Fox Fest 2025 (May): Sessions and Speakers Date: 4/2/2025 5:50:22 PM My network guy tells me that "MS is saying DMARC Failed" - and - "He doesn't have DKIM configured." He was looking into it for me, to see if he could give me further details of why the emails are blocked. I figured it might be helpful sending this your way, and maybe it can help avoid others also having their emails being Blocked or Quarantined! Of course, all that being said - this is still a Great thing you have done, running this forum - as folks here have helped me get out of a number of Sticky Situations in the past! And - by the way Ed - I hoped you liked my little April Fools joke yesterday! -Kurt { The 3D Printer Guy who is Now Fully Back in the FoxPro Saddle! }

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Foxpro Developer Job Opening!
by Kurt Wendt 02 Apr '25

02 Apr '25

Oddly - when it Rains it Pours! I get a new job in OH - I get here - then, like 1 day after starting the new job - I get not ONE but TWO guys on LinkedIn telling me about 3DP job openings in SoCal! And, for those jobs - I referred a buddy of mine. But, then - today - I got a Recruiter contacting me about a FoxPro job! I originally replied to a Dice ad back in Oct for a VFP job - which was supposed to be fully remote. But, the guy now contacts me about a Different VFP - and, sorry to say - they want TWO Days onsite - rest is remote. So - of course, that will limit WHO in this forum can apply - since I know folks here are from all over the world - not only USA - but, Brits Across the pond - as well as others (I think there is at least one person from Ireland - and one from like Poland (I think)...). Anyway - if you find the Job specs of interest - send an email directly to this guy: abdul.h(a)accionlabs.com THE JOB: *Job Details:* Foxpro Developer Edison, NJ (Hybrid role, 2-3 days onsite in a week) Duration: 12 Months Contract We are seeking an experienced FoxPro Developer to join our small, experienced developer group in developing and maintaining a robust homegrown Visual FoxPro WMS with an MS SQL backend database. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in Visual FoxPro (VFP) development, database management, and integration with modern technologies to improve warehouse operations. This role requires a strong understanding of retail fulfillment workflows, inventory management, and system optimization. Key Responsibilities: - Maintain and enhance the existing Visual FoxPro-based WMS application. - Develop new features and functionalities to improve warehouse efficiency and order fulfillment. - Optimize database performance and ensure data integrity across WMS processes. - Troubleshoot and resolve system issues, bugs, and performance bottlenecks. - Work closely with warehouse operations teams to gather requirements and implement solutions. - Integrate WMS with third-party logistics providers, e-commerce platforms, and ERP systems. - Develop and implement reporting tools for tracking warehouse performance and inventory levels. - Provide technical documentation and user support for system enhancements. - Assist in migrating legacy components to modern technologies where applicable. [image: Shape] Required Qualifications: - 5+ years of experience in Visual FoxPro (VFP 6/7/8/9) development. - Strong understanding of MS SQL Server and database integration. - Proficiency in .NET development (C# or VB.NET) and ASP.NET to modernize the platform. - Experience with Angular for front-end development and modern UI enhancements. - Experience in warehouse management, retail fulfillment, or supply chain systems. - Proficiency in writing, debugging, and optimizing FoxPro code. - Familiarity with API integrations, XML, and data exchange between systems. - Experience working with barcode scanning and inventory tracking solutions. - Experience with parcel management APIs for shipping and logistics. - Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. - Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a cross-functional team. --- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts --- multipart/alternative text/plain (text body -- kept) text/html ---

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