Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-9, 2005 Key Biscayne, Florida Visual DataFlex 11 an Overview John J Tuohy Data Access Worldwide

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF Goals Goal: Connectivity  Applications written in Visual DataFlex must be able to connect to and utilize a wide range of: Data Sources Data Processes Goal: Increase the ability to connect to other sources Goal: Increase the ease of connecting to other sources

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF Improved Database Connectivity  Goals 1.To be able to connect to more databases 2.Make the process of connecting to databases much easier 3.Complete backwards compatibility

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF Improved Database Connectivity  Support added for non-recnum tables Introduces “RowId” New programming syntax introduced to support RowId  RowId data-type  Global RowId functions:  DataDictionary RowId interfaces  Support added for multi-segment relationships Relationships can be based on multiple columns Multiple columns do not have to be adjacent Completely Removes need for Overlaps  Support for Larger Text Fields in SQL Tables

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF Improved Database Connectivity  Database Builder makes it easier to work with databases Workspaces define a default database  This makes creating and connecting to tables much easier Existing tables can be easily connected-to via a wizard Much easier to use with other (non-embedded) databases Relationships more easily maintained with Relationship Wizard and a new Relationship tab page A new Index tab page make it easier to view and modify indexes

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Array Support  Arrays may be dynamic or static  Single, multi-dimensional and jagged array support  Local variable, global variable, function/procedure parameters and properties are all supported  Arrays may be of any data-type including structs  Functions SizeOfArray() and ResizeArray() introduced (more coming)  Supported in FlexCom2  Supported with web services

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Sample of Array Usage Property string[ ] psMyLowerCaseNames : Function TransformData string[ ] sArrayOfData returns string[ ] string[ ] sArrayOfReturn string sValue integer iItem iItems iRetItem Move (SizeOfArray(sArrayOfData)) to iItems For iItem from 0 to (iItems-1) Move sArrayOfData[iItem] to sValue If (trim(sValue)<>””) begin Move (lowercase(sValue)) to sArrayOfReturn[iRetItem] increment iRetItem Loop Set psMyLowerCaseNames to sArrayOfReturn Function sArrayOfReturn End_Function

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF Struct Support  Struct members may be of any data-type  Struct members may be structs themselves  Struct members may be arrays  Local variable, global variable, function/procedure parameters and properties are all supported  New commands Struct and End_Struct create structs  Supported in FlexCom2  Supported with web services

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Sample of Struct Usage // A simple struct definition struct tCustomerInfo integer iCustNumber string sName string sState end_struct // struct property Property tCustomerInfo pCustomerInfo // sample usage tCustomerInfo Cust Get CustomerInfo to Cust Move Cust.sName to sName Move “xxxx” to Cust.sName Set pCustomerInfo to Cust

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Sample of Struct Usage // Another Simple struct definition struct tOrderDet string sItemID integer iQty real rUnitPrice real rPrice end_struct // A complex struct definition that contains structs and arrays of structs struct tOrder integer iOrderNumber tCustomerInfo CustomerInfo date dOrdDate real rOrderTotal tOrderDet[ ] ArrayOfDetails end_struct

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Sample of Struct Usage Property tOrder pCurrentOrder Property tOrder[ ] pAllOrders Function FindOrder integer iOrder tCustomerInfo CustInfo returns tOrder[ ] tOrder MyOrder tOrder[ ] AllOrders Move iOrder to MyOrder.iOrderNumber Move “John” to MyOrder.CustomerInfo.sName Move MyOrder.ArrayOfDetails[iDtl].rPrice to rPrice Get pAllOrders to AllOrders Move (SizeOfArray(AllOrders)) to iOrders Move AllOrders[iOrders-1].ArrayOfDetails[0].sItemId to sItem

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Parameter Passing By Reference  Improved Syntax  More Powerful: Structs and Arrays can be passed by reference Function Foo1 string sName string BYREF sAction returns boolean : Get Foo1 “john” (&sMyAction) to bOk Procedure Foo2 string sName string BYREF sActions[ ] BYREF bOK : Send Foo2 “john” (&ArrayOfAction) bSuccess Function Foo3 string sName string BYREF tMyStruct returns boolean : Get Foo3 “john” (&SomeStruct) to bOk

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF New Multi Line Edit Classes  Plain Text Editing Classes cTextEdit – replaces Edit class cDbTextEdit – replaces dbEdit class  RichEdit Text Editing Classes cRichEdit cDbRichEdit  New Interface More Powerful More Consistent Easier to Use

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Combos in Grids  Combos are assigned on a column basis  Combos can be controlled on a cell by cell basic  Combos in dbGrids work automatically with validation tables  Simple interface Look for Column_Combo_Xxxxx messages  Easy to add to existing applications

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Debugger Improvements  Redesigned Variable Window Supports display of Structs and Arrays  Breakpoints are remembered  Other developer suggestions implemented

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Web Services  Goals 1.Make it easier to build web services that send and receive complex data. 2.Make it easier to consume an even wider range of web-services. 3.Be able to use these kinds of complex web-services without having to parse XML documents.

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Improved Server Web Services  Structs and Arrays supported Easy to Use:  Just declare a struct or an array in the function and it will be used  Very complex data can be exchanged without you ever having to work with the underlying XML data.  The Debugger makes it easy to debug and test services Service Definition is Fully Defined:  Web Service description (WSDL) fully describes the Struct or Array  WSDL can be used by any client to fully model the data  Support for By Reference Parameter Passing This allows multiple parameters to be returned to a client

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Improved Client Web Services  Structs and Arrays supported Easy to define:  The Web Service Client Generator builds the client class. Just point to the definition (the WSDL) and it does the rest  Web Service Client Class Generator will recognize structs and arrays in the Service description and will define and build everything needed. Easy to Use:  Just call the web service passing and returning the defined data types  Very complex data can be exchanged without you ever having to work with the underlying XML data.  The Web Client Helper View makes it easy to see what is happening.  The Debugger makes it easy to debug and test services  Support for By Reference Parameters in Web-Services  Supports much wider range of WSDL definitions

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Status of Web Services  Server and Client Web Services support a rich set of data types Fundamental Data Types (string, integer, etc.) Custom Complex Data Types (developer defined structs) Arrays Pure XML (using XMLHandle)  Supports Interoperability between major Web-service providers and Consumers Works with.Net services  We always use.Net as one of our test cases Works with Java Web Services  Java has generated some “interesting” web-services

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Documentation Improvements  Goals 1.Provide information needed for a very positive first time product evaluation 2.Provide all learning and tutorial material needed to get first time users up and running 3.Provide quick access to reference material needed by novice and experienced developers 4.Provide a single place to go for all documentation

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Documentation Improvements  New Organization which Includes Tutorials  Complete guide from creating your first application to building an order entry system  Demonstrates Windows Applications, Web Applications, Server and Client Web-Services, COM integration Understanding Visual DataFlex  Complete guide of the Language, the Framework and Data Dictionaries Reference  Complete reference for the Language, the classes and more Tools and Utilities  Guide to the tools: Studio, Database Builder, and more

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Wizard Improvements  New Top Down Report Wizard  New Database Connectivity Wizards  New Create Workspace Wizard  New Database Builder Relationships wizards  Export Wizard Updated  All Wizards updated to support RowId programming syntax

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – The Wizard Library  New Workspace Wizard  Database Connectivity Wizard  Database Relationship Wizard  New View Wizard  New Lookup List Wizard  Winprint Report Wizards Standard Top down  Crystal Report Integrator Wizard  WebApp Web Object and Browser Wizard  WebApp WAP Object and Browser Wizard  Database Export Wizard  New Class Generation Wizard  FlexCom2 Class Generator  Web-Service client class Generator

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.0 – Other Improvements  New More Intuitive Product Registration  Better Compiler Error Checking  147 Bugs Fixed / Suggestions Implemented

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.1 – Coming Attractions  Release Scheduled Late Summer 2005  Purposefully planned to be modest in scope Give you a chance to “catch up” Allows us to finish up a couple of important items not in 11.0 This is one of the advantages of the incremental release plan

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.1 – Coming Attractions  New Crystal Classes Based on the Crystal RDC COM Interface Entire Crystal RDC Interface will be exposed Built-in support for CDOs Based on Crystal XI An addition to the current Crystal Class A new Wizard will support this  Better Support for XP Studio Generates Manifest Files automatically Existing applications will look better under XP (themes)

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.1 – Coming Attractions  Array Manipulation Functions SortArray() CopyArray() BinarySearch() SearchArray() CountArray() FillArray() MaxArray() MinArray() ShuffleArray() ReverseArray()

Open Solutions for a Changing World™ Copyright 2005, Data Access Worldwide June 6-8,2005 Key Biscayne, Florida VDF 11.1 – Coming Attractions  Connectivity Improvements Support for system tables without indexes PSQL Connection Wizard Some usability enhancements in Database Builder  Documentation Improvements Overall Continued Improvements Expand Application Deployment Information Expand Tutorials Continue integration of Connectivity documentation  Continued Bug Fixes