WEBDEV Technology Intelligence

What is WEBDEV?

WEBDEV is a rapid application development (RAD) environment created by PC SOFT, a French software company, for building web applications. Part of the WINDEV family of development tools, WEBDEV uses a proprietary programming language called WLanguage to create dynamic websites and web applications with minimal coding.

First released in 1998, WEBDEV follows the philosophy that web development should be as straightforward as desktop application development. It generates both front-end and back-end code automatically from visual designs, supporting deployment to Windows servers with its own application server or as standard PHP. The tool is particularly popular in France and French-speaking countries, with a strong presence in enterprise environments.

Key Features

WLanguage Programming

• 4GL Syntax: High-level, readable code similar to natural language
• Database Integration: Native commands for SQL operations
• Automatic Memory Management: No manual allocation required
• Multi-Language: Code comments and keywords in French, English, or Spanish

Visual Development

• Page Editor: WYSIWYG interface for page design
• Control Library: Rich set of pre-built UI components
• Responsive Design: Automatic mobile adaptation tools
• Theme System: Skinnable applications with consistent styling

Deployment Options

• WEBDEV Application Server: Proprietary server for Windows
• PHP Generation: Export as standard PHP code
• Cloud Hosting: PC SOFT cloud deployment available
• AWP Mode: Active WEBDEV Pages for session management

Database Support

• HFSQL (proprietary high-performance database)
• Native connectors for Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL
• ODBC and OLE DB connectivity
• Automatic query optimization

Use Cases

Enterprise Intranet Applications

Companies build internal business applications with WEBDEV's rapid development approach. HR systems, inventory management, and workflow applications benefit from the tool's database integration and quick iteration cycles.

E-Commerce Platforms

Businesses create custom online stores using WEBDEV's built-in payment and shopping cart controls. The integrated approach allows single developers to build complete solutions without separate front-end and back-end expertise.

Customer Portals

Service companies develop client-facing portals for account management, support tickets, and document sharing. The authentication and session management features simplify secure application development.

Data Management Systems

Organizations with complex data requirements use WEBDEV's HFSQL database for high-performance data applications. The visual query builder and automatic optimization suit data-intensive projects.

Legacy Application Modernization

Companies with existing WINDEV desktop applications use WEBDEV to create web versions. Code sharing between WINDEV, WEBDEV, and WINDEV Mobile enables multi-platform delivery from shared business logic.

Government and Public Sector

French government agencies and public institutions use WEBDEV for citizen services and administrative systems, partly due to the French-language development environment and local support.

WLanguage Code Examples

Database Query

// WLanguage database operations
HExecuteQuery(QRY_Products, hQueryDefault)
WHILE HOut() = False
    TableAddLine(TABLE_Products,
        QRY_Products.ProductID,
        QRY_Products.ProductName,
        QRY_Products.Price)
    HReadNext()
END

Page Server Code

// Server code in WLanguage
PROCEDURE GetCustomerDetails(nCustomerID is int)
    HReadSeekFirst(Customer, CustomerID, nCustomerID)
    IF HFound() THEN
        RESULT [
            "name": Customer.Name,
            "email": Customer.Email,
            "balance": Customer.AccountBalance
        ]
    ELSE
        RESULT Null
    END

AJAX Callback

// Browser code calling server procedure
AJAXExecute(UpdateStock, EDT_ProductID, EDT_Quantity)

// Server procedure
PROCEDURE UpdateStock(nProductID, nQuantity)
    HReadSeekFirst(Stock, ProductID, nProductID)
    IF HFound() THEN
        Stock.Quantity -= nQuantity
        HModify(Stock)
        RESULT True
    END
    RESULT False

Form Validation

// Browser-side validation
IF EDT_Email ~= "" THEN
    Error("Email is required")
    SetFocusAndReturnToUserInput(EDT_Email)
    RETURN
END

IF NOT EmailCheckAddress(EDT_Email) THEN
    Error("Invalid email format")
    SetFocusAndReturnToUserInput(EDT_Email)
    RETURN
END

Advantages and Limitations

Key Advantages

• Rapid Development: Build complete applications faster than traditional coding
• Full Stack Solution: Single tool for UI, logic, and database
• Code Sharing: Reuse code across WINDEV desktop and mobile projects
• Built-in Components: Rich controls for common business needs
• Low Learning Curve: WLanguage readable by non-programmers

Limitations

• Vendor Lock-in: Proprietary language and runtime
• Windows-Centric: Application server requires Windows
• Limited Community: Smaller ecosystem than mainstream frameworks
• Cost: Significant license investment required
• Generated Code: PHP output not easily maintainable manually

Comparison with Alternatives

• vs PHP Frameworks: Faster development, less flexibility and community support
• vs .NET: Simpler syntax but smaller ecosystem
• vs Low-Code Platforms: More programming control with similar rapid development

Best Fit Scenarios

• Teams needing rapid business application delivery
• Organizations with existing WINDEV investments
• Projects where vendor support outweighs community resources
• French-speaking development teams preferring native language tools