Frequently Asked Questions

What are the minimum requirements for FGL?

• End-User Access of FGL Web APPS: Any modern browser on any operating system.
• Developer: Windows or Mac (running Boot Camp or Parallels), min 8GB RAM.
• Server (APP and DB combined): Windows with min 8 GB RAM, 16 GB recommended, large and fast disk storage
• Server (DB-only): Windows with min 16 GB recommended, large and fast disk storage.
• Server (APP-only in server farm): Windows with min 4 GB, 8GB recommended, 256 GB SSD

What do I need to build and run FGL applications?Everything you need to build, run, and host FGL applications is contained in the free FGL download. This includes the latest version of the FGL programming language, development tools, runtime engine, database, high-performance application/web server, and more. Will search engines "see" my FGL applications and dynamic content?The FGL server includes an optimized page-resolution mechanism that allows FGL Active Pages (.AP and .APX) files to be accessed and referenced as standard HTML files (.HTM and .HTML). This provides complete visibility for your dynamically generated content to virtually all search engines. Can I use any database with FGL?FGL includes a tightly-integrated robust database with a message-based distributed architecture that incorporates high-performance relational, transactional, and integrated object technology with an xBase-like API. However, virtually any database platform can be used with FGL applications, including SQL, ACCESS, FoxPro, and others through FGL support of ODBC, DLL, ActiveX, COM, and other integration methodologies. Can I create web applications and desktop applications with a single set of source code?The FGL environment can Windows standalone and web-based applications from a common set of source code. Standalone applications can interact directly with 3rd party GUI libraries or the Windows SDK, or you can run your web applications in standalone mode via localhost or the FGL platform’s embedded browser using the same source. Can I extend FGL with my own code and favorite add-ins and libraries?The FGL core system was designed to readily support external enhancements using industry-standard methodologies. Nearly any existing DLL, ActiveX or COM control, or .NET or Java assembly can be dynamically linked to the FGL core without any change to the existing resource. Additionally, the FGL environment has an enhanced set of APIs that provide advanced access to internal FGL resources and real-time execution environment. You can also create your own binary FGL libraries for inclusion in your own applications or for distribution or project contribution. Can I use the FGL environment with other languages?FGL was designed to provide optimized solutions without excluding familiar options. Syntactically, many of your favorite commands and functions may already be included in the FGL language, but you can also re-register or override existing components to include functionality from other languages. FGL also includes support for ISAPI and FastCGI integration. Can I use my favorite IDE and program editor with FGL?FGL source files (.FGL) and Active Pages (.AP) are standard ASCII text files that can be created and manipulated by virtually any program editor or IDE. Additionally, the FGL community is actively pursuing extended integration with popular editors and IDEs to include project management, syntax highlighting, context-sensitive help, and more. IDE extensions for "TextPad" are included as part of the standard FGL distribution. Can I securely distribute my FGL applications?FGL allows for the secure distribution of web-based and standalone applications. Compiled versions of Active Pages along with binary FGL libraries can be distributed for web-based or localhost applications, and standard EXE files with optional accompanying FGL binary libraries can be used with standalone applications. No readable source code is required when distributing FGL applications. Will the FGL platform scale to the levels required by demanding applications?The FGL platform was designed to incorporate all of the critical components of complex application development and execution into a single optimized environment. This provides a number of performance enhancements over individual task-oriented disparate systems. Additionally, these core FGL components are themselves highly optimized and engineered for dynamic interaction and scalability. The server architecture utilizes performance enhancements and provides static and dynamic content significantly faster than comparable solutions. The internal database supports large stores of data over a message-based distributed architecture and includes the performance advantages of fixed-length relational structures with the power and flexibility of optimized object technology. Additional features such as automatic session synchronization and distribution further combine to provide an optimal environment for the most demanding of applications.