Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Internet Framework Tools (IFT)?
These are TCP/IP tools for the purpose of easier network programming. They comprise a tool kit that will be released as different editions depending on the purpose. View product features.

Ok, what is the HTTP Server Edition of the IFT?
Simply put, the HTTP Server Edition lets you quickly and flexibly port your Clarion  applications to the Web. Now you do not have to support 3rd-party web servers because the HTTP Server Edition puts a web server engine inside your application. So, if you want Internet connectivity in your application:

1) Insert the tools
2) Design your user interface with HTML
3)Compile,run, and start receiving requests

These general purpose tools allows intermediate-level developers the freedom to develop almost any kind of HTTP server application desired.
Check out the online demo of an IFT-built HTTP server.

Why did you write the Internet Framework Tools?
I wrote these tools to allow a developer to write and distribute an HTTP Server application his or her own way. The Internet Framework handles the Windows Socket (Winsock) calls for you, you place your code in the embeds (I provide a number of examples). For example, you can easily send data or a binary file. You can more extensibly add your own tools and classes to your web server. Distribute as many of your server product as you desire without paying me one, more, red cent. You, also,  get to see the inside of the server engine and even change things around inside, if you desire.

What databases are supported by IFT and it's add-ons?

Any database supported by Clarion including

  • Oracle 
  • MS SQL 
  • SQL Anywhere 
  • AS400 
  • Any ODBC-enabled databases including MS Access 
  • DBase III/IV 
  • Clipper 
  • FoxPro 
  • Btrieve 
  • Basic 
  • ASCII 
  • Clarion 
  • Topspeed 
What operating system is supported?

Any 32-bit windows environment such as Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 98, and Windows 95.

Does IFT provide real-time database access and updating?

Yes.

What is Database Jumpstart or DBJ?

DBJ makes it easier for you to quickly web-enable practically any database. So you get a powerfull jumpstart on web enabling a database through IFT. You can automatically generates tables, forms and update procedures You can also easily integrate your IFT/DBJ apps with forms created in editors such as Adobe GoLive, DreamWeaver, Composer, MS Notepad, etc. So dress it up and BAM!! A web-enabled database system. Requires no knowledge of HTML for basic functionality.

Who should use Internet Framework Tools? 

Individuals to Fortune 500 companies that want to: 

  • Improve business processes using Web technology. 
  • Access databases or dynamic data using the Web. 
  • Use inexpensive Web browsers as clients or even build inexpensive clients using IFT:HTTP 
  • Client Edition (including peer-to-peer systems). 
  • Update applications over the Internet.
  • Link back-end databases to front-end Web forms.
  • Extend legacy systems to the Web 
Does it work with Clarion 5 and Clarion 4?
Yes, it will work with both versions of the ABC tools. However, only Clarion 5x will be supported.

Do the IFT-HTTP Server Edition tools compete with, or is it designed to replace, Clarion for Windows Internet Connect?
No, it is not meant to compete with CWIC.. You have to decide what is the job and what tool is for that job. I designed these tools to make it easier to do general-purpose network programming using TCP/IP.   Eventually I could see CWIC and IF working together since they both have their heritage in Topspeed products.  The Internet Framework is more general-purposed to allow you to build your own, customized HTTP server, your way. It comes with examples to show you how. No blackbox broker involved.  It does not generate HTML, Javascript, or Java,  for you. However, if you want it you add it. Although anyone will be able to assemble an HTTP server and test it in a couple of minutes, it is for the intermediate level programmer that needs to assemble HTML and/or non-HTML HTTP server applications fast.

Well, if I have CWIC or some TCP/IP ActiveX Controls, do I need to get the Internet Framework?
I actually expect that as CWIC developers (and developers using other TCP/IP DLLS and ActiveX controls) become more experienced in network programming that they will want to have more control over what goes on. They will want to be closer to where "the rubber meets the road", but, inside the car, not under the tires. The Internet Framework gives you this without things getting messy.

Is the IFT-HTTP Server Edition better than CWIC?
CWIC is a great product, don't get me wrong, and is written by great developers. I use CWIC. CWIC gets developers into the HTTP game very quickly with no experience necessary. However, as I said above, there are CWIC developers (and developers using other TCP/IP DLLS and ActiveX controls) who as they become more experienced in network programming will want to have more control over what goes on. For instance, maybe even write their own "broker"- or HTTP server application or other "pet" projects.

There are, also, developers who know exactly what they need to program for the web, they do not want unnecessary code,  and, also, want a very low cost to their bottom line for distribution, so they may want the Internet Framework. There are Clarion developers who just want to get in  to scout the HTTP territory, get the the lay of the land without a high price of entry, well they may want the Internet Framework. There are developers who will want to extend my product using their own tools, that's very easily done as well (I will have some HTTP server template add-ons out really soon) .  So I don't think the distinction is in terms of which is better,  but what do you really need to do right now.

Are there any brokers that I will need to purchase, and can I just place this system on any web hosting service or is it just NT based?
No brokers. It is a 32-bit Windows executable written totally in Clarion. It requires what any other Clarion program needs to operate. Also, it is not based on a server API program like ISAPI or CGI. The executable compiled using the Internet Framework is an HTTP server in its own right  like Microsoft IIS or O'Reilly WebSite are HTTP servers, except you give it the functionality you want. You steer it in the direction you want. Maybe your clients are not asking for simple web server.  The Internet Framework Tools give you the control to deliver exactly what they want.  With the Internet Framework, you tailor the product to their needs, and improve your bottom line.

Is the Internet Framework a wrapper for other DLLs or ActiveX controls?
It is a wrapper for the Windows Sockets API (maybe one day I'll get writing my own TCP/IP stack) but so is almost every one of the popular Winsock products (or else they would not be called Winsock compatible products). However, the server code is not contained inside DLLs, brokers, or ActiveX controls, so it is not a blackbox toolkit. Use the Clarion 5 Embeditor to see the code. You can distribute all of your HTTP server applications royalty-free.

Does it use or do I need CGI?

No you do not need CGI. The IFT Web server connects directly to the database. With CGI, your server must launch a script for each request. That script will launch your database application. Other scripts may still be involved to format your HTML results. Using IFT with the Database Jumpstart allows you easily return database results and use online database administration without writing a line of code.

Can I develop on my local desktop?

Yes just compile and request the IFT server with 127.0.0.1 or localhost.

Can I access multiple databases?

Yes, you may access as many as you need and any mix of different databases.

Does IFT use a macro language?

With the PowerMerge add-on you can use tokens (that you can pre-define) and place them in a static HTML file for very powerful results. But you have access to the powerful, easy-to-use, award-winning, 4th-generation language , Clarion, to whatever you can imagine for your application server. You can use this full-featured language to build very powerful dynamic pages and so you can do far much more than any macro language - based development system. So if you do not want the limits of a macro -based system you will want Internet Framework Tools. 

How easy is it to get started using the Internet Framework?
The Internet Framework comes with examples, Getting Started, and Advanced Use instructions that allow you to assemble and test an HTTP server in less than 5 minutes. It is even easier to put your database on the web the Database Jumpstart add-on tools.

Does it handle multiple, simultaneous connections?
Yes, the Internet Framework handles multiple connections. It is based on the asynchronous notification method and handles the Windows Socket API calls for the developer. You can also develop multiple-theading applications safely using the tools with Clarion thread functions.

Can I run more than one IFT application on one server?

Yes, just use a different port number for each application server.

Does it support username and password authentication?

Yes, it is built in.

On what system should I run my HTTP server application?
I recommend running in any 32-bit Windows environment on an adequate server machine (120 Mhz, 16 MB RAM, 80MB HD space)

What support do I receive?
You get basic support. I can only answer so many questions, so, I cannot answer questions that are too general in nature. When requesting support,  make sure your questions relate specificly to the use of  the Internet Framework Tools. If it seems to me that I am being used to do major design of your product, then we will have to discuss other arrangements.

I will continue to add to this Frequently Asked Questions list, and eventually a knowledge base. However, most of your Clarion questions can be answered in the newsgroups,  Topspeed publications, and knowledge bases. Windows Socket questions can be answered through newsgroups (such as alt.winsock.programming), publications, and web resources.  Of course, if it is an Internet Framework problem, I will remedy it as soon as possible. Please use this support email address: Support@logicentral.com

Do I need to know HTML?
Unlike CWIC, you should know some HTML. For non-HTML HTTP use , you do not need to know HTML.

Will your product just plug into an already written app and how much tweaking will there need to be done?
Yes, you can drop the tools into an already written app and that app has instant networking capabilities after compilation. Now, can that application's GUI, instantly, become a WUI (Web-User Interface)?No. That would be confusing my product with CWIC. However, if you choose to put that kind of functionality in, you can. Keep in mind that it will requires handcoding (I will have some tools that will make calling certain complex HTML tags easier coming out, after they go through testing. This is one of the add-ons to IFT)

Will there be more Internet Framework Tools?
Yes, the HTTP Client Editionis released and  I am planning and working on other editions plus Internet Framework add-ons to the HTTP Server Edition. I imagine other developers will want to create add-on tenplates as well. Please keep checking Logic Central for more announcements.