PowerBuilder 9 Advanced Development - Online Course

This series describes the changes and additions learners will encounter when they move from earlier versions to PowerBuilder 9. It addresses the use of tools such as OrcaScript, InfoMaker, and DataWindows.

This series is for developers who know and use PowerBuilder who want to learn the new features of PowerBuilder 9, enhancing their ability to build client/server applications. This online course contains 5 lessons and should take approximately 12 hours to complete.

Lesson 1: Source Code Control (2.0) hours

Source Code Control teaches you how to distinguish between the two approaches to managing PowerBuilder code under source control, identify the architectural changes in the SCC interface, describe what operation each SCC option performs, demonstrate the set up for a typical SCC implementation using both PBNative and a third-party SCC provider, and setup the branch workspace and view. This course provides information about the basic requirements for any Version Control architecture. It also explains managing and controlling the source code asset of a typical PowerBuilder project. Topics include Why implement version control? PowerBuilder architecture and the SCC, PowerBuilder IDE changes, Source code control operations, Implementing SCC with PowerBuilder, and Branching and merging.

Lesson 2: Deploying Applications and Using InfoMaker (2.0) hours

Deploying Applications and Using InfoMaker teaches you how to choose a compiler format for PowerBuilder applications, determine what components must be included in an application package, use OrcaScript and PowerGen for deployment, use InfoMaker to deploy applications, use InfoMaker and PowerBuilder together, and customize imstyle9.pbl. This course provides information about compiling and deploying PowerBuilder applications to end users. It also explains how to incorporate InfoMaker into PowerBuilder-based applications to provide end users with the ability to generate reports. Topics include Application packages, Project painter, Deployment methods, Delivering applications to end users, Deployment tips and tricks, The InfoMaker environment, Using InfoMaker with PowerBuilder, Customizing imstyle9.pbl, and Writing forms code without PowerBuilder.

Lesson 3: Coding Techniques (3.0) hours

Coding Techniques teaches you how to set up your environment, organize libraries, enhance the IDE, extend the PowerPanel, use advanced coding techniques, and use modern exception handling. This course shows learners some best practices, tips, and coding techniques that, if applied, will make the use of PowerBuilder 9 more effective both in the short and long term. Topics include Setting up the environment, Using targets, Supporting the XP operating system, Organizing libraries, IDE tips, Coding, Using events, Handling exceptions, Additional exception handling, Understanding performance, and Database independence.

Lesson 4: Techniques for Using DataWindows (3.0) hours

Techniques for Using DataWindows teaches you how to use expressions to change DataWindow behavior, create DataWindow reports, use dynamic SQL, create DataWindow objects dynamically, and use client/server features. This course provides information on the advanced features available with PowerBuilder DataWindows, such as using expressions to change DataWindow behavior, creating dynamic nested reports, using dynamic SQL, and using client/server features. Topics include Using expressions, Changing DataWindow behavior, DataWindow reporting, Creating dynamic nested reports, Working with dynamic SQL, Other SQL considerations, Changing bands dynamically, Creating DataWindow objects dynamically, and New client/server DataWindows features.

Lesson 5: Graphic DataWindows and XML DataWindows (2.0) hours

Graphic DataWindows and XML DataWindows teaches you how to create and manipulate simple shapes, move images within and between DataWindows, use and manipulate metadata, define XML and related terms, and export and import XML with DataWindows. The course shows learners how to create graphical interfaces with DataWindows and how to import and export XML into DataWindows. Topics include Drawing simple shapes, Moving images among DataWindows, Creating rich graphical DataWindows, Manipulating metadata, Understanding XML, XML parsers, The DataWindow export engine, Export templates, Exporting XML, and Importing XML.