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Microsoft killed FoxPro in 2007. Anyway, here's FoxPro revived (foxscript.org)

486 points by boredjohnny · 18 days ago · 270 comments on HN

Article summary

FoxDev Studio is a project that aims to revive and modernize Visual FoxPro, a programming language and development environment that was discontinued by Microsoft in 2007. The project allows users to run and edit existing FoxPro applications on modern machines without requiring rewriting or conversion. FoxDev Studio is built from scratch and includes a 64-bit runtime, a compiler, and a machine built to run FoxPro code. The project is available for download and has documentation and a roadmap for future development.

Main themes

  • FoxPro revival
  • Legacy application support
  • Rapid Application Development
  • Open-source alternatives
  • Runtime environment recreation
  • Compatibility and backwards support
  • Modernization of old technologies
  • Developer productivity and tools

What commenters say

  • Rewriting the entire runtime environment may be riskier than rewriting the application itself.
  • Some developers have successfully used FoxPro and similar tools for complex tasks and still see value in them today.
  • The lack of open-source Rapid Application Development software is a significant gap in the market.
  • Modern tools and technologies have improved significantly since the heyday of FoxPro and similar tools, making it easier to develop and maintain applications.
  • Some developers are skeptical of projects that seem overly ambitious or rely on AI-generated content.
  • The decision to revive FoxPro is driven by the need to support legacy applications and data formats.
  • The project's approach to compatibility and backwards support is a key factor in its potential success or failure.
  • The choice between rewriting an application and recreating its runtime environment depends on various factors, including the application's complexity and the available resources.