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Ask HN: Why isn't there a modern MS Access clone?

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Re: Ask HN: Why isn't there a modern MS Access clone?

#11

Post by snarfy »

kimi wrote: post #5

Maybe because writing an Access database still requires a programmer, and you can get better value by hiring a PHP programmer to write two pages and three tables.

Yep, this is what always happens with these types of applications. There was a whole slew of these type of tools in the 90s dubbed '4GL' with the idea they were a level above traditional programming (3GL) where business people could drag &drop their way to a new app.

It was a disaster and none of those 4GLs are around anymore. There is no interface that's as easy as sending an email to a developer saying "I need an app that does this..."

Re: Ask HN: Why isn't there a modern MS Access clone?

#12

Post by charlieegan3 »

hashim-warren wrote: post #10

Does Airtable fit? It does for me

I think the OP is looking for something more suitable for creating simple crud apps.

Airtable has forms https://support.airtable.com/hc/en-us/articles/206058268-Gui... but it doesn't have the same UI form builder kind of thing.

Re: Ask HN: Why isn't there a modern MS Access clone?

#14

Post by igravious »

CPLX wrote: post #6

FileMaker Pro has been around forever and is still supported with new versions as far as I know.

Not that searching is difficult but I'll put the link here anyway: http://www.filemaker.com/products/

1) I didn't know that Filemaker was still around.

2) I didn't know that it is an Apple subsidiary.

3) Pity there's no Linux version, I'd use LibreOffice Base if you're in Linux as someone else here has pointed out.

Re: Ask HN: Why isn't there a modern MS Access clone?

#16

Post by tyingq »

There are quite a few products that attempt to be a web based equivalent of Access.

The two that seem to be the closest to me are Google's AppMaker (https://developers.google.com/appmaker/) and Bubble.is (https://bubble.is/). I call these two out because they both allow for coding when the "default path" runs into a wall, and both include more than just forms and tables. However, they both still have warts. Appmaker, for example, has a pricing model problem. It's $10/user (GSuite), so you can't use it to build anything that involves casual outside users, like an employment applicant tracking system.

The next tier down are somewhat similar products that have been around longer. Like Quickbase (http://www.quickbase.com/), Caspio (https://www.caspio.com/), Airtable (https://airtable.com/), Zoho Creator (https://www.zoho.com/creator/), Rajic (https://www.ragic.com/), and Knack (https://www.knack.com/). These all work great if the app you're making fits into their somewhat fixed view of the world, but hit a hard wall if it doesn't. Some of them also have the same pricing model problem I mentioned in the preceding paragraph.

The one I really thought was going to emerge as the market leader was DabbleDB. Sadly, Twitter acquihired them and shut it down. Here's one of the demo videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wZmYMWKLkY It was very ahead of it's time back in 2007.

Re: Ask HN: Why isn't there a modern MS Access clone?

#17

Post by wila »

Not an MS Access clone, but a good 4GL easy database tool I like is called DataFlex [0]

Very easy to use and you can create basic applications without additional programming. Although of course it helps if you know how-to write code.

There's an embedded database that you can use out of the box. But you can also use any of the main SQL Database engines.

For building commercial applications you have to buy a developers license.

For building your own non commercial applications you can use their free personal license. [1]

Disclaimer: I use the language professionally and run an open source website that has free tools and code examples in DataFlex.

[0] http://www.dataaccess.com

[1] https://www.dataaccess.com/Resources/Licensing/DataFlex-Pers...

Re: Ask HN: Why isn't there a modern MS Access clone?

#18

Post by scandox »

One of the things several colleagues have said to me over the years is that Access tended to be a dangerous tool in a large organisation: like Excel but on crack.

You end up with a large number of autonomous, undocumented systems built on an ad-hoc basis by personnel who were often not even in a technical role.

Personally I think that sounds like a great way to leverage the domain expertise of lots of different employees...but I guess it can become unwieldy. I know I saw some amazing things built with Access back in the day...

Re: Ask HN: Why isn't there a modern MS Access clone?

#19

Post by andriesm »

We have created something that combines form builder, process flows, and if-then trigger rules at taskputty.com - we market it as a "build your own CRM system" but any crud or data flow style app should be doable.

We value as much feedback as possible. Single user is free, and we are completely flexible on price - we just would like to see more people using it.

It is loosely inspired by Trello.

Re: Ask HN: Why isn't there a modern MS Access clone?

#20

Post by rgreasons »

In addition to everyone's replacement suggestions, I feel like it's worth noting that Access still exists and is part of some Office365 distributions.

For small-ish companies that aren't very technical, I would think the Office suite still has a strong attach rate. Regardless of whether or not Access is the best tool for the job, inertia is powerful.

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