Survivor: XP or DOS ??

[Pressed]

If I had to pick a software package (specialized database type) between one that works on XP or DOS with the following in mind:

I will be spending hundreds of hours inputing info and want to use this data for decades.

Not sure of the longevity or future of this XP based software company or it's softwares format (ie: future conversion). Would not be surprised if it went away.

Should I expect DOS to be a part of future operating systems for PCs?

Should I look into a Data Base program with market share, work it into what I need and hope for the best?

Please be patient, I am not up to speed with operating systems or database software.

More, the XP one is easier to use and has more features but I would go with the DOS one if it had a better chance at survival. I don't plan to keep and old computer around to solve this issue either. That is a solution but not a good one.

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[katmar]

You need to distinguish between the data structure, the application program and the Operating System. As long as the program you choose uses a standard or popular data structure, it does not matter what OS you choose. For example, if you had developed a dBase or Clipper application 15 years ago under DOS, you could import the data into MS Access with little difficulty now.

The current popular data structure is that used by MS Access, so the chances are very good that in 20 years time whatever OS or application is the flavor of the month it will allow you to import the data.

However, if you now go with a highly optimized proprietary data structure developed by some whizzkid programmer you could be in serious trouble later - unless the application allows export to a more standard data structure.

If you want to be absolutely certain that the data will always be accessible make sure that your application will export the data as a standard ASCII text file. You will always find someone who will be able to write you a little utility to read the text file and convert it to whatever format you want.

 

[johnwm]

DOS is not a part of current Microsoft OSes. The Command window is an emulation. Steer well clear of any serious database that is based on the Access Jet Engine database. MS are moving their focus towards MSSQL, and it's little brother MSDE (both use essentially the same engine and exactly the same syntax)

There are likely to be upgrade tools for SQL for the forseeable future.

XP makes better use of available system resources than DOS.

Good Luck
johnwm
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[IFRs]

If the data is in pure ASCII, it will surely be readable by something in the future.

 

[Pressed]

Hey thanks fellas, I really appreciate that. Those are some things I never thought of, there is a little ray of light after all.

_______________________________________
Feeling frisky.........

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[svanels]

DOS died in the past century, when you are going to shop for a new computer, the vendor probably will not know what Disk Operating System stands for. I already have forgotten the commands I had to type in the config.sys file to activate a cd-rom. I started to convert some of the utility programs I had from DOS to Windows in 1996, never looked back.

 

[Pressed]

This thread was going well till reply No. 5. DOS still lives, people rely on it everyday. I have a new computer now, whats it to ya. Your stuff seems pretty narrow minded.

_______________________________________
Feeling frisky.........

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[svanels]

Maybe died is a "strong" word, but I have been on DOS since 1986, did a lot of stuff, switched reluctantly to windows 3.11 and the dead I predicted this "windows" thing did not happen. My first computer was a 8088 with no HDD and I am almost 20 years further, DOS will not be continued. Micr$oft made Windows poular for the mass, and tied them (the mass) to the mouse.
If your kid/husband/wife is too much on the computer and loosing sleep over it, don't loose time yelling, beating, or in a very extreme situation, not paying the electricity and phone bills... just kill the mouse without it, the computer is useless for the mere mortals.

Kidding aside, 3 years ago I saw a 80286 tied to a product tank gauging in real time. I asked my host why they didn't hooked a network cable to the computer and have the application data available in the controlroom.
His answer: noboddy over here can handle this computer, anymore, we are waiting the computer to stop responding and replace all the hardware needed. Obviously they are the "if it aint broke, don't though it" type of people. Every morning an operator go out there tears out the log of the dot matrix printer, and walks to a controlroom were they make the daily inventory. All other tanks (99%) are on screen, talking about productivity.

My comments were not cynical, but based on facts and events I witnessed during my "short" period from school to in industry.