PowerBuilder 6

This series provides an introduction to PowerBuilder 6 and its development environment. It describes PowerBuilder's main components and explains how to create and manage libraries, use the Application Painter, and create menus and windows. The concepts of design are presented, and building objects is covered in detail. Also examined in detail is building windows, event programming, creating and using Data Windows, and using SQL commands to interact with databases in PowerBuilder applications. Additional topics covered include providing reports and implementing final touches in a PowerBuilder program, and how to debug an application and create an executable program.

Syllabus

INTRODUCING POWERBUILDER

Provides an introduction to PowerBuilder and its development environment.

• Installing PowerBuilder and Libraries
• Application Painter and Property Sheets
• Creating Menus
• Creating Windows
• Responding to Events with PowerScript
• Running Your Application

DESIGN CONCEPTS

Provides an introduction to PowerBuilder design and object-oriented development.

• Analyzing the Requirements
• Creating a Logical Data Model
• Creating a Data Model Database
• Creating Database Tables
• Using Database Tables
• Using Table Data
• Understanding Object-Oriented Development
• Features of Object-Oriented Software

BUILDING OBJECTS

Covers using the Library painter as the navigation base for development, managing libraries and library objects, and developing an application menuing system.

• Using the Application Painter
• Using the Library Painter
• Using Libraries
• Managing Libraries
• Creating Menus
• Attaching Menus and Toolbars

BUILDING WINDOWS

Shows how to create, manage, and customize windows in a PowerBuilder application. In addition, the course demonstrates how to add window controls and set the associated properties to provide a variety of window functions.

• Setting Window Properties
• Setting Control Properties
• Creating User Input on Windows
• Controlling Window Appearance
• Adding More Elements to Windows
• Setting Windows 95 Controls
• Using Advanced Window Features

EVENT PROGRAMMING

Shows how to respond to events in an application and use variables with PowerScript. The course covers datatypes, scope, and structures. In addition, the course discusses decision structures and looping structures used for writing script for applications.

• Responding to Events
• Scripting with Variables
• Encapsulation, Dot Notation, and Structures
• Array, Class, and Reference Variables
• Using Operators
• PowerScript Statements
• Using the Script Painter

POWERSCRIPT AND SQL

Shows how to use SQL commands to interact with databases in PowerBuilder applications.

• Understanding Database Transactions
• Creating Functions
• Using DataWindow Objects
• Scripting for Specific Events
• Using Arguments and DataWindow Events
• Understanding SQL Syntax
• SQL Commands and Cursors

CREATING DATA WINDOWS

Covers one of PowerBuilder's strongest features: DataWindows. It outlines the various data sources and presentation styles for DataWindows, describes several DataWindows development techniques, and demonstrates how to associate DataWindows with an application.

• Creating a New DataWindow
• Data Sources and Layout
• Creating Freeform DataWindows
• Complex DataWindows
• Other Data Sources and DataWindow Controls

USING DATA WINDOWS

Shows how to manipulate and display data and data sources using DataWindows.

• Using Edit Styles
• EditMasks and Drop-Down DataWindows
• Display Formats and Validation
• Customizing DataWindows
• Column Defaults and Conditionals
• Displaying Data and Data Sources
• Modifying the Data Source
• Manipulating Data

REVIEWING AN APPLICATION

Shows how to provide reports and final touches on a PowerBuilder application.

• The Report Painter
• Creating Grouped Reports
• Understanding the Bands of a Group Reports
• Modifying Grouped Reports
• Completing Grouped Reports
• Creating Graphs
• Creating Label Reports
• Creating Nested Reports
• Modifying DataWindows within Windows
• Checking the Finished Product

THE FINAL PRODUCT

Shows how to debug a PowerBuilder application and create an executable program.

• The Debug Window
• Modifying the Debug Window
• Understanding the Source Views
• Using and Setting Breakpoints
• Examining the State of an Application
• Debugging the Application
• Building the Executable
• Creating Deployment Files

Qualifications

Qualification: Printable Transcript

On completion of this course you may print a transcript off as evidence of your progression throughout the course.

Requirements for Entry

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

Study Options

If you do not have Internet access, or would prefer to study this course via the traditional paper/postal based study method, you can find more information on the course by clicking on the link below.

Study Hours

This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.

The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 40 hrs.