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Senin, 21 Maret 2011

Tips for Migrating Visual Basic Applications to Linux

If asked, programming language what is arguably the most popular in Indonesia, perhaps Visual Basic may be the answer. Ease of program design, program writing rules loose enough and the number of circulating pirated cd contributed to the popularity of Visual Basic.

Companies that want to migrate from Windows to Linux systems usually hit this problem. For a company whose system already supports the dual system or a high level of portability, this problem can be ignored, but companies like this in reality is not much.
So, if we are asked to migrate the system from Visual Basic to a Linux system, what should be done. Here are the tips.

1. Advance Database Migration
Visual Basic is usually paired with Microsoft SQL Server or Microsoft Access. It could be paired with other databases, but the couple VB SQL Server for client-server applications and Microsoft Access to VB-most common desktop applications. If this happens, the first step that needs to be done is to migrate the database. MySQL become attractive options as a substitute for SQL Server. Changes to the program code is more easily done. If you are using ADO or ODBC, we need only change a little code to the database connection.

My experience, changing the database from SQL Server to MySQL is only having problems on Full Outer Join (it seems not supported by MySQL. I do not use this statement, even if using it, this statement can be modified using the join-rise model.) One more problem is the type of data. Numeric data type is not necessarily commensurate with the existing data type in SQL Server.

If you perform a database migration, backup your data first. Then do the conversion process to the destination database. For MySQL, there are tools called Migration Toolkit Java-based. Download and install MySQL from the website. This tool can do the conversion properly. In my experience, there are only a few deviations and report the results of the process is quite comprehensive.

After the data conversion process, also check the data and report results. Try performing the input process, edit, delete and view the report, if there are deviations or not.

In addition to MySQL, PostgreSQL is an attractive alternative. Next time I will discuss the migration to PostgreSQL and tips to consider.

Supposedly, there was no significant difference in speed between the data access SQL Server with MySQL. If there is a change of pace, please read tips untuk meningkatkan kecepatan akses data MySQL.

2. Running Visual Basic Using the Emulator
Visual Basic applications can run natively using the emulator, Wine. Good access to the database to SQL Server or MySQL can be done through Wine.

Wine is usually bundled in Linux distributions.

If you want to use a more powerful version of Wine, a commercial version is available, namely CrossOver Office. The process of CrossOver Office installation and management is very easy and the installer file in the form. sh that can be run with command sh namafile.sh.

The process of running the Visual Basic via the emulator is a temporary solution since no matter how well the emulator, it would be better applications that were intended for a specific system.

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5 Advantages Linux Systems Administrator for Windows Server

For the network and sysadmin, the presence in the world of Linux servers are not new. Most Internet servers actually running Linux-based server systems. However, many also sysadmin and network admin-especially in Indonesia, which has been totally use the Windows Server system without ever touching or want to know about Linux server lifetime.

Actually, what is the importance of the Linux server if the Windows Server-based system has been running as expected. Is not there a byword among the admin: "if it Is not broken, do not fix it". If there is no evidence of a real problem, and fixing the "problem" Would not effectively improv the system, then do not waste time and energy (yours or anybody else's) Trying to fix it.
Here are some reasons why Windows Server Admin can benefit from the existence of the Linux operating system, though not totally use it to replace Windows server:

   1. Emergency Rescue. Linux could become the savior of data thanks to its ability to run on the LiveCD mode and running on the system memory (CD can be removed). LiveCD that there is much that has been equipped with anti-virus tools (plus the ability to update definition in life, partition tools, FTP client, SSH + Rsync backup and restore tools, burning and the ability of connection to the Internet simultaneously. Windows do exist that can run on LiveCD mode, but from testing I do, its function is not much that can be provided by a Linux LiveCD.

      Examples of rescue capability is if there is an infected Windows computer virus heavyweight. Let alone to be able to run anti-virus, just to boot the computer just running slow as a snail. Not to mention the ability of the virus that can be resident, so remove the virus that is active as possible and if can not be deleted, the virus can automatically create a clone of himself.

      A more elegant option is to save existing data and then do a total format. We could move the infected hard drive into another Windows computer to be scanned but in addition to bother, there is the risk of a clean Windows viruses even so polluted.

      In this position, Linux can be used to save data of Windows, either to be saved to another hard disk, into the CD / DVD burning process, to USB or to a network data storage.
   2. Reduced License Fees. If still in doubt use a Linux system to replace Windows servers, we could try a Linux system to replace several functions that had been managed by Windows Server, and Linux solutions to these problems have been very effective and efficient, for example to backup servers, file servers, mail servers , proxy servers, FTP servers, web servers and others. The value may not be too significant savings, but that obviously is no longer any cost to Client Access License or a license sistem.Jika've never used Linux at all, try just a few services that easily configured, while gradually trying to figure out the power of Linux.
   3. Protected Windows Systems. Given the structure and mechanism of the Linux system that is more resistant (either because they adhere to the pattern of file access authorization system), Linux can be used as front-end servers that deal with the internet, for example mail server Linux can be used as buffer media or front-end mail server the published exit, while the mail server into the back-end Windows for internal use. As another example, the Linux server can be a media gateway for traffic to access the data out and get into the system environment
   4. Media Localisation Infected Data. If no data is contaminated / infected with a virus, store them on shared folder / disk-based Windows as well as maintain the virus to remain active. If no data are still contaminated with the virus and have not been cleaned, we can use a Linux system as a data storage location. Because most viruses can only run on Windows systems, the virus will be paralyzed for being in the Linux environment. We even can easily remove the virus if you open a file in Linux environment
   5. Server Virtualization for Windows. If you want a Windows system easy and fast to backup and restore, we can use the system as a host-based Linux server virtualization. Hypervisor Xen, KVM, VirtualBox or VMWare can be used to run Windows on Linux systems using virtual server scheme. This scheme provides at least two advantages, namely host resistance as well as facilitate the backup and restore process can be automated
Similarly, some advantages that can be quoted if you want to know why an Admin of Windows that system fine should look or move to a Linux system. If there are other views or suggestions related to the above items please discuss via the comments page.
Please understand that I am not saying one is better operating system than any other operating system. In my opinion, a good admin should be able to keep the system running properly managed, regardless of operating system used. I limit myself to not engage in polemics zealots operating system. That article explained the benefits of the use of Linux and komparasinya against Windows, it's because my blog title and tagline is Migrating Windows Linux and not vice versa

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KDiff3, a Powerful Application Data Comparison

What can be done if we do change the code but we are not memorized any lines that we change.

If we do coding Java using Netbeans IDE there is usually a history facility that can detect changes in the code that we do. In addition to the facility history, we also can use the Subversion application that can be enabled as application versioning. We could have a version of the code that we make. What if we want to compare the code that we created manually?

If this line of code there are only a few dozen or a line does still easy, what if there are thousands of lines of code?

KDiff3 can perform functions that we want. KDiff3 basically a GUI application for diff function to compare the code from the 2 sources of data.

For example we have 1 HapusData program code with a name and a code of another program by name HapusDataUpdate. We can compare the two, check out the differences between the two, an update on one of the files that we automatically want to match the opponent files or also notes that there are differences. Please refer to the application of Diff and Patch provided on various Linux distributions.

Examples in the following screenshot is the difference in the line and script code in Zimbra-Auto that I created to automate the installation of Zimbra Mail Server on OpenSUSE 10.3. The difference is really noticeable because I make just as an example:-D. In OpenSUSE, KDiff3 applications already in the DVD package provided.

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Installation Notes Fedora 13 on Acer 4740G

One of the favorite Linux distributions from Red Hat family that I have ever tried was Fedora. It was the first time I tried Fedora Core 4, rather endure a bit longer before the family finally moved to Debian and openSUSE. After some time I also tried Fedora miss the now until the release of 13 with the code name of Goddard.

Some features are updated on the release of Fedora 13 is:

     * Kernel 2.6.33.3-85.
     * Gnome desktop environment version 2:30, OpenOffice.Org version 3, and mozilla firefox 3.6.3.
     * Installing the printer driver automatically, if we install the printer then Fedora will automatically offer to install the driver automatically if needed.
     * Update desktop applications, including applications Shotwell for photo manager that replaces gThumb and F-Spot, Deja-dup application for backup software, Pino Identi.ca / Twitter client for the microblogging application, and Simple Scan application for the scan.
     * Improved Network Manager includes better support of Mobile Broadband, Bluetooth, and a new command line capability.
     * Support 3D for ATI graphics cards (R600 and R700) through the Radeon driver. On Fedora 13, the 3D support on ATI graphics card has changed the status of experimental yag was now activated by default. While 2D support for latest generation (R800) has been well integrated.
     * The addition of 3D support is still experimental through Nouveau driver for NVidia graphics card. To try it simply install package mesa-dri-drivers-experimental.

Incidentally on Acer 4740G notebook hard drive there is still an empty space about 60 GB) and I finally decided to diinstalkan Fedora 13. The first step of course must have a CD / DVD Fedora installer. To get the CD / DVD Fedora can be downloaded from some of the links below :

Acer 4740G Because this is a computer with 64 bit architecture, I finally decided to use Fedora 13 x86_64 DVD installer.
Installation ProcessDuring the installation process went smoothly, no problems whatsoever. I'm just a little "overlook" to view the installation, apparently a lot of difference to the appearance of the installation on the previous release.
Hardware SupportAll hardware on the Acer 4740G by Fedora 13 was detected properly. Starting from the Wireless Network Adapter Atheros AR928X, Ethernet Broadcom Corp. NetLink Gigabit BCM57780, touchpad, webcam and VGA nVIDIA GeForce 310M everything is OK. So also when you finish the installation of all immediate use. A little disturbing that not only the VGA GeForce optimal, because it can not support 3D driver is not installed.
LeftThe time required during the installation process was not too long, less than 30 minutes the installation is complete.
Installation ResultsAs with other major distributions include only the GPL licensed application, Fedora 13 does not yet include some applications such as flash player plugin, multimedia codecs, additional applications Sound & Video (vlc, audacious, audacity and kino) and various other applications are free but non-open source . The result of the installation of Fedora 13 on Acer 4740G appear visible in the picture below.
Fedora 13 "Goddard" is released on May 25, 2010 This is a 6-month release cycle, just as Ubuntu.namun slightly different from the openSUSE release system that adheres to 8 months. Fedora is also known as a bleeding edge distro that many recent innovations include both during the installation process as well as for packaged applications. Some features that are included in this release include a more integrated installation process and a short, automated printer driver installation, NetworkManager fixes, improvements and integration functions for the iPod, perbaikanTotem (video player) streaming and buffering, 3D applications are more ciamik, improved display user management, investments Zarafa groupware, investments Brtfs to partition system that is able to perform the snapshot disks (can roll back data to the position and time), improvement in application virtualization, especially KVM which by default will be the main choice on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 and many other improvements that more can be read here : http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Fedora_13_announcement

Note: Credit in 2 screenshot image above : http://www.blogsdna.com/10497/fedora-13-is-finally-here.htm

For users of Fedora and Linux enthusiasts have been using other distros, this release interesting and worth a try because of the big names in the world of Red Hat Enterprise is a guarantee that the product-poduk of the sponsored Fedora project became one of the major distros qualified and became one an innovator for application development in the world of Linux.

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Installing Netbeans IDE for Java programming on OpenSuSE 10.2

Conducting the Java programming using the Text Editor is quick and easy, but for the development of more complex applications, we can use IDE (Integrated Development Environment) as a tool help him.

Large selection of IDE that can be used both for Linux, Windows and other operating systems. Netbeans, Eclipse, Sun Java Creator is a part of them. For this time, I will discuss the installation process Netbeans on Linux using OpenSuSE., Considering the installation file that is used is binary-type files with executable, the installation process can be performed on other distributions without any problems.

Here are the steps:

1. Installing Java SE. If not, please install Java SE first. Follow the guidelines of the article "Instalasi Java SE".

2. Download Netbeans from http://www.netbeans.info/downloads/index.php. Because using Linux, choose the installation file for Linux. Choose which without bundle with Jee, but still want it.

3. Through the Console, go to the download folder (I put it in / opt, adjust your download folder).

4. Ensure binary file is an executable file

# chmod + x netbeans.bin (replace netbeans.bin with the name of the downloaded file, for example: netbeans-5_5-linux.bin, sign # means I use a root prompt)

5. Perform installation

#. / netbeans.bin (dot slash filename)

6. The installation process is running, follow wizardnya. Netbeans will perform the installation process by first detecting the location of the JDK as is done in phase 1. If JDK is not detected when already installed (JDK installed on a particular folder), use the option JavaHome as follows:

#. / netbeans.bin-is: javahome lokasiJDK

7. Run Netbeans. Once installed, NetBeans can be run from Start Menu desktop use, both on KDE and Gnome. If there is no shortcut, at the end of the installation there is usually a notification, where the location of the executable netbeans and how to run it, for example:

# / opt/netbeans5.5/bin/netbeans

After the installation process, we can start to use Netbeans for our Java projects. For users of Visual programming languages (VB, Delphi, PowerBuilder, etc), NetBeans IDE will be felt very familiar because of the model and its shape is not too much different. For users of PHP or C, with a somewhat similar model code, the Java programming with Netbeans penyesuian might just need some time alone.

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