95 lines
4.8 KiB
Markdown
95 lines
4.8 KiB
Markdown
# Valleywide App Modernization — Project Context
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## Client
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Valley Wide Plastering (VWP) — `valleywideplastering.com`
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## Overview
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VWP uses a custom business application of unknown exact stack (suspected MS Access and/or Visual FoxPro). The original developer is deceased. The app still runs but is hitting end-of-life limitations. Goal is to assess feasibility of modernization — either as a web app or a modern desktop executable.
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## Known Constraints / Pain Points
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- **2GB database file limit** — strongly suggests MS Access (.mdb / Jet engine). VFP uses per-table .dbf files so a single 2GB wall is more characteristic of Access.
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- Original author deceased — no support, no documentation expected
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- Unknown whether VFP is actually involved — confirm once source materials are received
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## Stack Hypothesis (pre-source)
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| Layer | Likely | Notes |
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|---|---|---|
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| Database | MS Access .mdb (Jet 3.x/4.x) | 2GB single-file limit is the tell |
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| Frontend | MS Access forms OR Visual FoxPro | Need source files to confirm |
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| Language | VBA (if Access) / FoxPro (if VFP) | |
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Visual FoxPro EOL was 2015. MS Access Jet/.mdb is still technically supported but ancient.
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## Source Materials Needed
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- The .mdb or .accdb file (database + forms if pure Access)
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- If VFP: .prg, .scx, .vcx, .frx, .dbf, .fpt, .cdx files
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- Any .exe or compiled application if available
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- Screenshots or walkthrough of what the app does
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## Research Questions (Phase 1)
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1. What is the exact stack? (confirm Access vs VFP vs hybrid)
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2. How many tables? Approximate row counts?
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3. What business processes does it cover? (estimating, job tracking, billing, scheduling?)
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4. How many concurrent users? On-prem only or remote access needed?
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5. Does it integrate with anything? (QuickBooks, email, external data sources?)
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6. What are the specific pain points beyond the file size limit?
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## Target Options
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| Option | Pros | Cons |
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|---|---|---|
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| Web app (browser-based) | No client install, remote access, no file limits | More dev work, requires hosting |
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| Modern desktop executable | Closest to current UX, works offline | Still requires client deployment |
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## Status
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- [ ] Receive source materials from VWP
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- [ ] Identify exact stack
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- [ ] Catalog tables and data volume
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- [ ] Map business processes
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- [ ] Produce feasibility report with stack recommendation
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## Session Logs
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- `session-logs/` — work logs for this sub-project
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---
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## Update 2026-06-13 — Darv source recovery from migrated G: drive
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During the G: file-share migration (SERVER3 -> VWP-FILES, Hyper-V), Darv's full user
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profile was found on the G: volume at `G:\Users\Darv` (now `\VWP-FILES\G-drive\Users\Darv`).
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**Source code status — still effectively lost:** `G:\Users\Darv\Source\VWP` contains ONLY
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`frmPayroll.frm` (+ `.frx`, 32 KB, 2017) — the same single form found earlier on ADSRVR.
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No `.vbp` project file, no other forms/modules. The 19 `.vbp` / 44 `.frm` elsewhere under
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`Darv` are Crystal Reports 8.5 SDK samples (`Darv\Installs\SCR85Dev`), not the app.
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**New compiled/data artifacts recovered** (staged to `source-analysis/darv-G-finds/`):
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- `ORDERS0727-2015.exe` (7.3 MB, built 2015-07-27) — from `Darv\OrdersPkg\Package1508\Support\`.
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Newer compiled build than `Orders_10A.exe`; primary VB Decompiler target.
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- `ORDERS-2005.exe` (5.2 MB, 2005) — older build.
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- `Package1508/` (60 MB, 88 files) — the InstallShield/PDW deployment package for the 2015 build.
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- `frmPayroll.frm` / `.frx` — the one surviving source form.
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**On G: but NOT pulled (large):** `G:\Users\Darv\VWP\db1.mdb` (120 MB, 2017) — likely VWP
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data DB; plus other Darv-project DBs (HealthCare/ACA). Pull on demand.
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**Next:** run VB Decompiler Pro against `ORDERS0727-2015.exe` (P-Code -> ~70-80% recovery).
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---
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## Update 2026-06-13 (later) — SOURCE FULLY RECOVERED (supersedes "still lost" above)
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The complete VWP "Orders" VB6 source was recovered from **`F:\Darv\Darv.rar`** on
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**WINFileSvr (192.168.0.35)** — a 51 GB backup of Darv's dev machine (extracted to
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`F:\Darv\Darv-rar`, 135 GB). The full project tree is present, with multiple versions:
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- **Newest:** `…\Kingston\Project\VWP_Current\ORDERS_C.vbp` (2020-06-09) — 128 `.frm`, 4 `.bas`;
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`ORDERS_C` references 80 forms + 10 OCX (TABCTL32, Crystal `Crystl32`, True DBGrid, FarPoint Spread).
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- Also: `VWP_Inv`, `VWP_Update`, `VWP_Current_0317`; historical `ORDERSold.vbp` (2002), `ORDERSSave`.
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**Staged to repo:** `source-code/Orders-VWP_Current-2020/` — 12.2 MB pure source
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(147 `.frm`, 4 `.bas`, 5 `.vbp`). Databases left on the server.
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**Decompilation (VB Decompiler Pro) is NO LONGER NEEDED** — we have the real, buildable source.
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Stack now confirmed from source: **VB6 (P-Code), Jet/Access `.mdb`, Crystal Reports, heavy OCX
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dependency** (TABCTL32, True DBGrid Pro, FarPoint Spread, Flp32a30). Next: set up a VB6 build env
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to confirm it compiles, then scope the modernization from actual source. Tracked on ticket #32280.
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