Well, compared to dicking with the bare API, which I did when learning Windows programming out of Petzold, OWL was indeed "rapid", although I'll agree from what little experience I have with Delphi, not as thorough-going. Paradox, however, was genuine READ (rapid-enough) - the main time consumer was designing the database - attaching forms and controls and customizing with PAL (precursor to the Object Pascal) was very easy. Access did not reach the usability of Paradox until the late 90s, fully 7 years behind Paradox.