What is NetLib for FoxPro?

NetLib is a multi-faceted networking library for Microsoft FoxPro, both DOS and Windows. While it focuses on network functionality it also has many features which make it valuable even on a stand-alone system.

Why should I use NetLib when there are other shareware and even freeware network libraries out there?

NetLib, while called a "network library" is actually several libraries in one. In order to reproduce the functionality of a NetLib you'd have to buy a NetWare API library, a print management library, a dynamic encryption library, a network communications library, an event trigger library and maybe a few more!

In addition, most freeware and shareware network libraries (as well as many commercial network libraries) are created by consultants "doing the library thing on the side." Since product development and support is not their first priority, you may be in for a rude awakening when you desperately need support for your mission critical application.

Since 1986 Communication Horizons has been dedicated to product development, support and enhancement. Don't trust your mission critical application to anything less.

If I use NetLib will I find many other users to "network" with?

NetLib has been around since 1986 and has tens of thousands of users world-wide, so you will easily find other users who may be willing to exchange their tips and tricks.

Why do I need NetLib?

If you are developing applications for use on a network it can greatly improve the "look and feel," responsiveness and the security of your application. It can greatly enhance your productivity by making difficult tasks easier and seemingly impossible tasks possible.

What if I try NetLib and decide I don't need it?

No problem. You can use it for 30 days and return it for any reason. Simply delete all NetLib files from your hard drive and destroy any applications you may have created using NetLib.

How easy is NetLib to use?

Most tasks can be accomplished with one or two lines of code. For more complex tasks (such as processing login scripts) we provide source code "snippets" which you can include in your application.

What versions of FoxPro does NetLib support?

NetLib comes with support for FoxPro DOS and FoxPro Windows. NetLib for Visual FoxPro will be available soon.

I'm already a NetLib user. Is there a new version? What will be "new and improved" in it?

The current version is 6.5:

• Support for FoxPro DOS and Windows
• Customizable APIs
• Print queue and print server management
• Enhanced encryption
• IPX/SPX massaging
• Reduced memory requirements through overlaid-PLB technology pioneered by Communication Horizons

You will find that the latest version supports additional platforms, including NetWare 4.1 NDS and VLM, Windows 95 and NT Server.

NetLib for Visual FoxPro is expected to be available late 1996.

You said it can improve the "look and feel" and responsiveness of my application. How?

More ways than can be listed, so here are a few examples:

• Display a personalized message (e.g., "good morning Mr. Phelps") when the application starts up.
• Pop-up a list of queues to choose from when user is ready to print.
• Log user onto network, create and delete drive mappings, all from within your application.
• Log workstation off network if no keyboard activity has been detected within a specified time period.
• Send broadcasts to other stations from within the application. Retrieve and display incoming broadcasts when and where you want without the annoying shell pop-up.
• Limit the number of users on the server who can simultaneously run your application.
• Examine, hold and reorder print jobs even after then have been queued.
• Determine which station has locked a record you are trying to lock.

How can NetLib make my data more secure?

The Seamless Dynamic Encryption (SDE) will allow you to encrypt files so that no-one will be able to read the data unless they have the 8-byte encryption key. It is "seamless" because your source code does not change: you access encrypted files just as if they were normal files. It is "dynamic" because data is decrypted as needed only in the work station's memory. A user looking at the file from another workstation, or monitoring it with a "sniffer" will always see encrypted data.

In addition, NetLib has functions that allow you to start, stop and rollback transactions using Novell's TTS (Transaction Tracking System). You need never have another corrupted data or index file!

Is it possible to "break" NetLib's encryption?

NetLib's SDE was designed to be a moderately secure scheme to keep unauthorized users and programmers from accessing data. It was not designed to foil the skilled, dedicated hacker. For data of an extremely sensitive nature that you believe certain people are actively trying to compromise, you should consider an extremely secure scheme such as "DES" or "PGP" encryption, in addition to NetLib.

Can I use it with other libraries?

Does NetLib support Windows 95?

The current version, NetLib works with FoxPro running under Windows.

Can a NetLib program run in a Windows 3.1, Windows 95 or OS/2 "DOS box"?

Yes to all.

Does NetLib support NetWare 4.x, VLMs and NetWare Directory Services?

The latest version, NetLib 6.5, supports all versions of NetWare 2.x, 3.x and 4.x, both with NETX and VLMs.

What networks does NetLib support? Does it run only on a Novell network?

Besides supporting NetWare, NetLib includes an additional library that will support most major NetBIOS/Share-based networks. NetLib supports LANtastic, Banyan-Vines, NT Server and Windows-for-Workgroups, among other networks. Even some features that are associated with NetWare (such as semaphore locks and "who has it" queries) are implemented by NetLib for non-Novell networks.

Does NetLib require a network?

While much of NetLib consists of network related features, much of it is of use even on a stand-alone system. Examples are dynamic encryption and event triggers. And, of course, it's often wise to develop all applications with future growth to a network in mind!

Can I use NetLib to access the NetWare Bindery?

Yes. Additionally, NetLib supports NetWare NDS Services and VLMs.

Can FoxPro applications created with NetLib be distributed?

Yes, with certain limitations. They must be distributed as executable applications (EXE) and may not include source code, project files, or any other mechanism for the end-user to rebuild the application. If the user receiving your application will need to modify and rebuild it then the user needs their own copy of NetLib. Alternatively, you can contact us for volume discounts or distribution licenses.

Can NetLib be installed on a server for group use by several programmers?

Each programmer creating programs with NetLib needs their own license. Even if you install NetLib on the server, you must purchase a license for each person using it.

Who is Communication Horizons?

In a business where companies and products come and go seemingly every month, Communication Horizons has been a fixture on the PC software landscape since 1985. Their flagship product, NetLib, was introduced in 1986, and has won either "best of" or "honorable mention" in the DataBased Advisor Readers Choice Awards every year since 1989.