Home

ACCELL/SQL: Developing an Application

1. Attributes Form script statements System functions User commands Example Hello Designing an Application STRING Data Type Features Manual That Describes Feature Feature STRNULLCH ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference CASE_CONVERSION DISPLAY_FORMAT DISPLAY_JUSTIFY EXTERN FIELD_LENGTH ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference DISPLAY ACCELL SOL Script and Function Reference ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference char_code_to_str clip_str glob str compare pad str left pad str right reg exp str compare str to char code str to date str to time str to val strlen substr to string to string using val to str ACCELL SQL Using an Application Editing commands 45 Text Data 46 A text value is a variable length string the length of a text value often exceeds the size of the field allocated for it By default if a text value exceeds the length allocated in memory ACCELL SQL stores the value in an external file on disk You can manipulate and store text data by using the ACCELL SQL features listed in the following table For complete descriptions of these features see the specific ACCELL SQL manual listed in the rightmost column TEXT Data Type Features Category Feature Manual that describes feature Configuration ACLTXTNONDSPCH ACCELL SQL variables ACLVARDIR Configuration Variable ACLV
2. Building and Testing the Application 103 User Interface 104 Testing Your Application Testing your application requires that you execute the application and experiment with all its features Test each part of the application as you create it then test the completed application also To execute your application select option 4 Run Application from the Operations menu Then experiment with all the user commands and operations described in ACCELL SQL Using an Application Select one of the following items Edit ACCELL Generator Form Edit ACCELL 4GL Script Compile Integrate Forms amp 4GL Run Application Compile Integrate Run Application Adjust Forms After DBMS Design Change Operating System ENTER SELECTION To test your application you must execute all operations you intend end users to be able to perform for example e find a record e add anew record e delete an existing record e change an existing record e experiment with scrolling editing help and other commands Building and Testing the Application In addition to testing normal operations test incorrect operations also such as invalid values prohibited operations disabled function keys and so on When an error occurs verify that the error message provides appropriate information to recover from the error Demonstrate your forms to end users and solicit their suggestions If possible perform usability testing with typic
3. binarylen subbinary to amount to binary to bool to date to float to num to string to time val to str Manual that describes feature ACCELL SOL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference For information about binary data storage and retrieval see ACCELL SQL Managing an Application m 40 Designing an Application Boolean Data Example Designing an Application A Boolean constant specifies a true false condition The default values YES and NO can be translated or converted to other values The default null display character for Boolean data is an asterisk BOOLEAN Data Type Features Manual That Describes Category Feature Feature Configuration BOLNULLCH ACCELL SQL variables BOOLFMT Configuration Variable and Utility Reference Attributes DISPLAY_FORMAT ACCELL SQL Script DISPLAY_JUSTIFY and Function Reference EXTERN FIELD_LENGTH System functions to bool to num TRUE ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference 41 Float Data 42 Example w A float constant is a floating point value of up to 17 digits total the value includes a decimal point and up to 9 digits of precision to the right of this decimal point By default values are formatted with the g notation of the printf function i
4. Define the ACCELL SQL application Create application screen forms Write form scripts Optional Build and test the application From ACCELL Environment you can perform these operations on application forms design screen forms define a new form display information about forms change form information delete a form Creating Application Screen Forms Designing Screen Forms Screen forms are the primary interface between the end user and the database The user can perform many tasks on a form for example e view existing information e add new information e change information To design screen forms you use the ACCELL Generator component of ACCELL SQL In ACCELL Generator you can create three types of screen forms master The master application form is the entry and exit application point of your application The master application form form can also display system information and perform initialization tasks standard A standard form serves as a data entry point A form typical application usually has one or more standard forms Each form performs a specific task for the user zoom form A zoom form provides a data lookup capability For example the user can look up values displayed in a zoom form and then transfer them to the current standard form Creating Application Screen Forms 73 What Is AC With ACCELL Generator you can perform the following tasks CELL Gen erator e define forms e create
5. str to time to num to date to time Example 01 01 93 V4 Additional Help For information about how RDBMS date time values are processed see ACCELL SQL RDBMS Integration m Designing an Application 43 Numeric Data String Data 44 Example A numeric constant is an integer value of up to 9 digits By default NUMERIC data is formatted with right justification Values can be formatted with the number format symbols or the printf format Category Configuration variables Attributes Form script statements System functions 987654321 NUMERIC Data Type Features Feature NUMFMT NUMNULLCH DISPLAY_FORMAT DISPLAY_JUSTIFY EXTERN FIELD_LENGTH DISPLAY to amount to bool to num Manual That Describes Feature ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference A string constant is a character string value enclosed by a pair of apostrophes string of up to 253 characters By default STRING data is formatted with left justification Values can be formatted with the string format symbols Special characters can be included within a string by using the following codes n t b Ww V New line Tab Backspace Return Apostrophe Backslash Designing an Application Category Configuration variables
6. 800 248 6439 916 928 6400 FAX 916 928 6406 UNIFY ACCELL VISION and the Unify Logo are registered trademarks of Unify Corporation Unify DataServer is a trademark of Unify Corporation UNIX is a registered trademark of the Open Group in the United States and other countries The X Window System is a product of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Motif OSE and OSF Motif are trademarks of Open Software Foundation Inc SYBASE is a registered trademark and SOL Server DB Library and Open Server are trademarks of Sybase Inc INFORMIX is a registered trademark of Informix Software Inc a subsidiary of IBM INGRES is a trademark of Computer Associates International Inc ORACLE is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation Sun is a registered trademark and SunView Sun 3 Sun 4 X11 NeWS SunOS PC NFS and Open Windows are trademarks of Sun Microsystems All SPARC trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International Inc SPARCstation is licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems Inc Novell is a registered trademark of Novell Inc Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc Microsoft MS MS DOS and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation All other products or services mentioned herein may be registered trademarks trademarks or service marks of their respective manufacturers companies or organizations Part Number 7259 04 Contents About This Manual uud detected ca
7. 66 Creating a New Application To create a new application complete these steps 1 Enter ACCELL Environment 2 Define the application 3 Exit ACCELL Environment Each of these steps is described below You can use ACCELL Environment from either of two access points e Main menu e adev utility When you begin execution of ACCELL Environment the Current Application form appears first Using the Main Menu To use the Main menu start ACCELL SQL from the operating system command line by executing the accell utility the Main menu then appears on the screen To enter ACCELL Environment from the Main menu select option 1 ACCELL SQL Development Environment For information about the accell utility see the description given in ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference Using the adev Utility From the operating system command line you can enter ACCELL Environment by executing the adev utility For information about how to use utilities see ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference Defining the Application Defining a New Application Exiting ACCELL Environment Defining the Application To define a new application in ACCELL Environment 1 From the Current Application form press ZOOM The List of Applications form appears From the List of Applications form press CLEAR TO ADD Type the name of the application you want to add 11 characters maximum Press RET
8. Adapting the Application to the User Interface WF 118 If you have developed the application on a host computer that is different from the users computer you can move the application to another computer by using ACCELL SQL utilities To move the application you need to set up appropriate directories and configuration variables Additional Help About See Deleting moving or renaming an ACCELL SQL Managing an application Application Moving a Windows application ACCELL SQL Developing an Application for Windows Configuration of the application must be customized for the user interface ACCELL SQL applications can be executed from many types of hardware systems and user interfaces for example ASCII terminals personal computer Windows OPEN LOOK Motif For graphical user interfaces ACCELL SQL provides additional features for customizing your application for example scroll bars menu bars color video attributes command buttons Additional Help For complete information about GUI features see ACCELL SQL Developing an Application for a Graphical User Interface m Implementing the Application Glossary ACCELL 4GL The ACCELL SQL fourth generation language used to combine painted forms with additional flow of control logic and other application language features ACCELL Environment The ACCELL SQL menu driven facility for creating and modifying forms and form scripts and compiling and integrating appl
9. Names When you use ACCELL Environment menu options to integrate your application you are implicitly indicating that all files being integrated or created have the default file name suffixes File Type File Name Suffix Standard form script files fs Master application form script files as Standard form files fq Master application form files aq Form archive created by the combiner fa Application link file created by the linker eal You can specify different file suffixes by using the ACCELL SQL development utilities rather than ACCELL Environment to create your application files Additional Help w For a complete list of ACCELL SQL file types see ACCELL SQL Managing an Application m Form Script Compiling and integrating an ACCELL 4GL form script is a three step Integration process 1 Compile the form script file with the ACCELL SQL compiler 2 Combine the form script object file and the ACCELL SQL form file into a form archive 3 Link the application archives to create an executable application link file Building and Testing the Application 95 96 You can compile and integrate scripts in any of three ways From ACCELL Environment you can perform all three steps by selecting either the Compile Integrate 4GL amp Forms or the Compile Integrate Run Application option from the Operations menu See Using the Operations Menu on page 97 From the operating system you can perform each step by execu
10. Pe Y OEC RR vena aes ela 39 Dingty Dalai dae ordi Rich epe rS E ER sense eee ented eta pe 40 boolean Data astute xa E PSRs ea SOs A Hed uto quida wet 41 Float Data isc Lakes ES bear RR rd eR bende eius eos 2G 42 Date Data oen vec Rhe RR NAR EE Fare Pa Ris 43 Nutr Data oxecutrse kv Ra PERF rues eed da awe 44 Siring Data so aaa e SESS CKA PAR dag Cae Rate Sle ets 44 j AP o Emm 46 Time Data Fr 48 Local Language Supporl 2 icacawssnhssaehedies coe ease ADU 49 Defining the Application 0 cece cece cece IA 51 Choosing an Application Development Method 53 Command Line UDliUes usos prr RR sees E ERR EIE Ra 33 Using ACCELL Environment 20 vesuctaches 4 RELY R RA xA 99 Starting ACUCBLLOSOL sss ace s op REIR AR RR ER RR det 54 The ACCELL SOL Main Menu eR ber RE Rut 54 Selecting an Opol ss vea sace rae Rreben ac E ea OP RR ont 53 Menu Commands 1s kDR Eryx titr is ERR 35 M in Menu Options 2a caes foco ac pa efe aba desta S4 ACCELL Environment Forms 00 00 cece cece ee 59 Current Application Form qx va ree ERG eer c ee ie 60 List of Applications Form 2i eri eb re REREERVR VE RES 61 Application Information Form 2o veero ry a er eere ees 62 List of Formis POU wrk ciissdisstnen tie FERE ew e a ERE 63 Form Information Form 2544 54 xe ERERERERESAE NN see 63 Operations Men c 1534 css x hase asia RR RE goers ence 63 Edit ACCEL Generator Form Option soe 63 Edit ACCELL 4GL Scripts Optio
11. a few lines of high level ACCELL 4GL commands to supplement the forms you created with ACCELL Generator For information about how to use ACCELL 4GL see ACCELL SQL Writing Form Scripts ACCELL Manager ACCELL Manager is the ACCELL SQL runtime component ACCELL Manager serves as a link between the end user running the application the compiled screen forms and scripts that make up the application and the database used by the application ACCELL Manager provides easy keyboard commands that both application end users and developers can use to perform a variety of business tasks ACCELL Manager provides these features e database searching e database updates e field editing commands e cursor movement commands e display of database rows e online help Getting Started Getting Started Before you begin application development become familiar with the commands and other features of ACCELL Manager For a complete description of the ACCELL Manager component see ACCELL SQL Using an Application ACCELL Report Writer ACCELL Report Writer enables you to generate reports for ACCELL SQL applications Using ACCELL Report Writer you can quickly and easily define a format for multiple level tabular reports ACCELL Report Writer offers total control and flexibility over report generation ACCELL Report Writer uses a nonprocedural English based language that enables you to select the placement and format of columns headings foot
12. an existing application e select the application e change the application description e delete the application Selecting an Before you can perform any application or form operation you must first Application select the application To select an application complete these steps 1 From the Main menu select option 1 ACCELL SQL Development Environment The Current Application form appears and the Application Name field displays the name of the first application 2 From the Current Application form press ZOOM The List of Applications form appears 3 Press NEXT RECORD to position the cursor on the name of an application 4 Press PREVIOUS FORM The name of the application on which the cursor was positioned is returned to the Current Application form 5 To display the list of forms for the application press RETURN or NEXT FORM Or if you already know the name of the application you need to access simply type the application name in the Application Name field of the Current Application form 68 Defining the Application Changing an Existing Application Description The Fields of the Application Information Form Directory Name Time of Creation Time of Last Modification Number of Forms Defining the Application To change the description of an application complete these steps 1 From the Current Application form press ZOOM The List of Applications form appears 2 Position the cursor on the
13. and columns column relationships and data types A good database design defines all tables to either third normal form 3NF or Boyce Codd normal form BCNF In addition database consistency and security must be handled by the RDBMS For complete information about how to design your database see the documentation provided by the RDBMS supplier For information about how to develop an application that is compatible with your RDBMS see ACCELL SQL RDBMS Integration For information about how create an application for multiple platforms see ACCELL SQL Portability Guidelines Warning Do not use a production database for application development To avoid potential data loss or corruption develop and test your application with an experimental database After thorough testing implement your application with the actual database m Learning to Use ACCELL SQL Commands and Forms Before you begin to use ACCELL SQL experiment with the developer s tutorial or the CBT Also become familiar with ACCELL Manager commands For information about Read Developer s tutorial ACCELL SQL Developer s Tutorial CBT optional ACCELL SQL Tutor ACCELL Manager commands ACCELL SQL Using an Application Getting Started Step 1 Designing the Application Step 2 Defining the ACCELL SQL Application ly Step 3 Creating Application Screen Forms Getting Started As with all software development projects careful planning is impo
14. application description by using the NEXT RECORD and NEXT FIELD commands Type the new description over the existing description 3 Press ADD UPDATE to save your entry 4 With the cursor still positioned on the application description press ZOOM to display the Application Information form Change the information as needed For information about the fields of this form see the next section The Fields of the Application Information Form 5 Press ADD UPDATE to save your changes 6 Press PREVIOUS FORM to return to the List of Applications form 7 Press CANCEL ZOOM to return to the Current Application form The fields of the Application Information form display detailed information about the current application You can view current information and for some fields you can change the information that is displayed The Application Information form displays the following information about the application Display only field Displays the full directory specification for the directory where the application files are located Display only field Displays the date and time that the application was first defined Display only field Displays the date and time of the last change made to the application Display only field Displays the number of forms defined for the application 69 Database Displays the default database name assigned by the RDBMS If you have been granted the required RDBMS privileges you can c
15. appropriate resource or preference files Additional Help About See Customization of commands in the ACCELL SQL Setting Up a unicap file User Environment Customization of commands fora ACCELL SQL Developing an graphical user interface Application for a Graphical User Interface You can create your own commands for any of your form screens by including a DEFINE COMMAND section in the form script For example you could define a command to read the user s incoming electronic mail or to print a report Additional Help For a detailed description of the DEFINE COMMAND section see ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference m Implementing the Application Application Execution Commands Implementing the Application To execute a completed application by default you use the AMGR command on the operating system command line for example AMGR tutorial To simplify application execution for the end user you can create command procedures or scripts that automatically execute the AMGR command 113 Technical Documentation 114 w Documenting the Application During application design you have specified the forms and other components of the application Especially for a large application it is important to retain complete and accurate records of the application design When you need to enhance or upgrade the application these records are important tools The system administrator also needs access to applica
16. cepa 79 Form Script Information x6srulacuer c 04o veneers 79 Displaying or Changing Form Information 80 Changing the List of Forms Description 0 81 Deleting Pa cuisses Tus wr nah i eee PER ERO ac ER d 82 Creating Form Scripts 0 cece cece cece cece eee e eee eeee 83 What Is a Form Script sos 2546s soatida tapasse hea wenn sedis 85 Controlling Application Execution ssec ki e xn 86 Creating a Sont DIMe iua esa y e ETEROEE PRIMERA ERA ERA arg ont 88 Creating a Script in ACCELL Environment 88 Creating a Script in ACCELL Generat t 0 ssceseeecasens 89 Creating a Script File From the Operating System 89 Building and Testing the Application 0 cee ee eeees 91 Building an JApplCcallOl caussae eap ER ER Ta eR eee REY kinia 93 Default File Names e eot b eR IRE ASETA TS 95 Form Script Integration iia edere saeva pata certa ee ys 95 Using th Operations Menu siia osse th ebR rechter pr em os 97 Compile Integrate Forms amp 4GL eee cee ee eee 97 Compile Integrate R un Application enr 97 Integrating Files for Listed Forms i es 98 Integrating Files for Unlisted Forms eese 98 Intesralion BITORS 1222 242409 cave RE eR RAE CI ERRARE 99 Using the ACCELL SQL Integration Utilities From the Command Line 100 Compiling and Integrating Application Files 100 Using makefile UNIX only iuse rusa rre PORE 10
17. consider these needs e menus and reports e user documentation e user training e application maintenance For an overview of these tasks and additional user features see Implementing the Application beginning on page 107 Getting Started 29 30 Getting Started Designing an Application 32 Chapter This chapter describes step 1 of the application development process Design the application Define the ACCELL SQL application Create application screen forms Write form scripts Optional Build and test the application This chapter introduces the concepts terminology and specifications you need to know for designing your application planning your application designing the database layer prototyping your application using data types customizing the application for the local language Designing an Application Designing an Application Planning Your Application Before you begin designing the application you need to set goals and objectives for your application A successful application must have an easy to use user interface It must also be able to handle large amounts of data Consider these factors in your design e the purpose of the application e the data to be stored in the database e the tasks that users need to perform If an existing information management system is in use survey the current users to discover what they like or dislike about the current system If possible incorporate t
18. database row that is being used in an ACCELL SOL application See also row form field row A unique group of related items in a database table such as first name last name sales office and phone number A row includes an entry for each column in the database table See also record RPT The report processor used with ACCELL SQL to generate application reports Glossary Glossary screen form An area on the terminal screen that displays related headings and database information Forms are created in ACCELL Generator and may optionally have ACCELL 4GL form scripts associated with them ACCELL SQL provides six types of forms e master application standard multi occurrence zoom help error terminal emulator A software program that enables a microcomputer workstation or personal computer to send and receive data is if it were an ASCII terminal third normal form A table in which all of the nonkey columns are fully dependent on the primary key and all the nonkey columns are mutually independent user Any person who uses ACCELL Manager to run a completed ACCELL SOL application utility A program that performs a specific task such as application linkage or file conversion and that can be executed by typing the utility name and arguments at the operating system command line 121 122 Glossary
19. features Motif UI When using this UI option ACCELL SQL is executed option in an X Window based graphical user interface GUI that enables users to run applications in a Motif environment OPEN LOOK When using this UI option ACCELL SQL is executed UI option in an X Window based graphical user interface GUI that enables users to run applications in an OPEN LOOK environment 44 Additional Help For information about how to optimize your application for a graphical user interface see ACCELL SQL Developing an Application for a Graphical User Interface m Getting Started 23 24 What Is an Application An application is a software solution to a real world business problem An ACCELL SQL application is a set of forms and associated ACCELL 4GL form scripts that is custom designed to fulfill a specific need For example an application can be used to enter sales orders manage parts inventories catalog library acquisitions schedule appointments and so on The following illustration represents a simple application The application begins with a master application form From a menu on the master application form the user can choose any of three other forms Master Application Form Standard Standard Standard Form Form Form Screen forms are the interactive user interface to your application Like paper office forms the end user can use screen forms to enter information By using a screen form the user can also dis
20. item number and then press RETURN e Press DOWN or UP to move the menu pointer to the option you want to select Then press RETURN e Type the utility name for the program and then press RETURN Utility names for the ACCELL SQL Main menu options are listed in the following table Main Menu Options and Utility Names Menu Option Utility ACCELL SQL Development Environment adev Interactive SQL RDBMS dependent ACCELL SQL Tutorials tutorial Operating System sh Editor edit Menu Handler Maintenance Utilities mhmnt This option executes the command provided by the RDBMS to execute SQL commands Menu Commands The next table summarizes the default commands that can be used on an ACCELL SQL menu Defining the Application 55 56 Command Key Default Settings Action Select highlighted option Move menu pointer up Move menu pointer down Go to home menu Go to previous menu Clear selection line Exit Display help Display more command keys Display information about the highlighted menu line Redraw screen Toggle command key line on off Name select up down home previous clear exit help more info redraw toggle Default Command Keys ESCAPE or F1 UP CONTROL U CONTROL K DOWN RETURN CONTROL J LINEFEED HOME F2 CONTROL X F3 CONTROL P F4 CONTROLP DELETE F5 CONTROLD F6 F10 F7 TAB CONTROL I F8 CONTROLR F9 CONTROL T Defining t
21. listed on the List of for Unlisted Forms Forms form complete the following steps 1 From the List of Forms form press CLEAR TO ADD 2 Type the form name and description 3 Press ADD UPDATE to save your addition to the List of Forms form If the form name you specified already exists an error message appears press RETURN and specify a different name ACCELL Generator displays the form editor screen 4 Define the form in ACCELL Generator as described in ACCELL SQL Creating Screen Forms 5 To save the form and exit ACCELL Generator press ADD UPDATE The List of Forms form is displayed again 6 Press NEXT FORM The Operations menu reappears 7 From the Operations menu select option 3 or 5 The following message appears Is name a screen yes or an external function no 8 Type no and press RETURN The ACCELL AGL form script associated with the form is compiled combined and linked 98 Building and Testing the Application Integration Errors If an error occurs while compiling combining or linking files error messages are displayed in a pop up form If serious errors occur during compilation the compiler copies the statements compiled until the error occurrence to a file named form_script io The form_script io file is ordinarily used to temporarily store the preprocessor output for the form script being compiled By default if no errors occur during compilation the form_script io file is removed after compi
22. the screen format e create headings and borders e define and position fields on the form e position forms on the screen e create help windows for form fields e provide online help e associate form fields with columns in the database For complete information about ACCELL Generator see ACCELL SQL Creating Screen Forms m V4 Additional Help Designing Forms A character based screen form is created by using standard alphanumeric for Character characters The user can manipulate a character based screen form by Terminals pressing standard terminal keys or function keys The following illustration shows an example of both a master application form and a standard form displayed on a terminal screen replace stored record 1 of 10 records found Master application form COMPANY SALES REP NO ADDRESS NAME REP PHONE CITY STATE POSTAL CODE MAIN PHONE CONTACT TITLE PHONE Standard form Enter the company name F1 Prv Form F2 Nxt Form F3 Prv Rec F4 Nxt Rec F5 Fld Help F10 More Key 74 Creating Application Screen Forms Designing Forms for Graphical User Interfaces Motif UI option base window w ACCELL SQL provides graphical user interface GUI capabilities for use with systems such as OPEN LOOK Motif and Microsoft Windows By using GUI features you can add powerful features to your application for example e mouse selection capabilities point and click e command buttons e popup win
23. to use this form see page 76 The Form Information form displays information about existing screen forms For information about how to use this form see page 78 The Operations menu enables you to create and build your application automatically To display the Operations menu position the cursor on the name of a form then press NEXT FORM Operations Menu Select one of the following items Edit ACCELL Generator Form Edit ACCELL 4GL Script Compile Integrate Forms amp 4GL Run Application Compile Integrate Run Application Adjust Forms After DBMS Design Change Operating System ENTER SELECTION Each of the options on the Operations menu is described below Edit ACCELL Generator Form Option This option starts ACCELL Generator on the current form You can then edit the form by using the commands described in ACCELL SQL Creating Screen Forms Edit ACCELL AGL Scripts Option This option starts the system file editor on the form script associated with the current application form 63 64 x Compile Integrate Forms amp 4GL Option This option executes the ACMB and ALNK utilities to combine and link your application files Compilation errors if any are displayed on the screen Run Application Option This option calls ACCELL Manager to execute your current application using the last version of the application you built This option does not compile any forms or changes you may have m
24. 1 The makefile make and makeamake 102 Generating a makefile s spsxexa ex ERR a o PIRE ETE 103 Using make to Compile and Integrate the Application 103 Testing Your Application iussis nre RRRRRATRUREREAR A RR RE 104 User Interface o ioco o4 eb RECR RR E PAR EP RE ASA EE RES 104 Debs oiesa sau d RAP Aen dA RA oa TR Bde ee AOV 105 Implementing the Application ccc cece eee ee eee n 107 Creating User Menus cesolcic pier A RARE haa eeen cnakbannag 109 Creatine User Reports sshxcuscespacyeeau es dees Ee egt 110 Customizing Online Help 252r RR RR ER ERES 111 Customizing User Commands 225 dss cise e e ERE ERRORS 112 ACGCCELLE Manaser Commands ses 112 Developer Defined Commands ssesuuss 112 Application Execution Commands eeeees 113 Documenting the Application iaoeeese ke rer RR heres 114 Technical Documentation x22 m9 RR ERR RE RE 114 Administrator Documentation 2 064544 RE RYE ERES 115 User Documentation 2223 3 4 6525645255 EUR ERE RE RR es 116 Configuring the Application iiis oae e e chia eevee aeons ss 117 Setting Up the Production Environment 5 easet Moving the Application to Another Computer System Adapting the Application to the User Interface Glossary About This Manual Using This Manual This manual is one of a set that describes the ACCELL SQL application development system An overview of the complete manual set
25. ACCELL SQL Developing an Application UNIFY 1989 1992 1993 2001 by Unify Corporation Sacramento California USA All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this document may be reproduced transmitted transcribed stored in a retrieval system or translated into any language or computer language in any form or by any means electronic mechanical magnetic optical chemical manual or otherwise without the prior written consent of Unify Corporation Unify Corporation makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents of this document and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose Further Unify Corporation reserves the right to revise this document and to make changes from time to time in its content without being obligated to notify any person of such revisions or changes The Software described in this document is furnished under a Software License Agreement The Software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the license agreement It is against the law to copy the Software on tape disk or any other medium for any purpose other than that described in the license agreement Unify Corporation values and appreciates any comments you may have concerning our products or this document Please address comments to Product Manager Unify Corporation 2101 Arena Boulevard Ste 100 Sacramento CA 95834 1922
26. ARMEMLIM and Utility Reference Attributes AUTO_EDIT ACCELL SQL Script CASE_CONVERSION and Function Reference DISPLAY_FORMAT DISPLAY_JUSTIFY FILE_PATH IN MEMORY RETRIEVE VALUE Form script EXTERN ACCELL SQL Script statements RETRIEVE and Function Reference STORE continued on next page Designing an Application TEXT Data Type Features continued Category Feature Manal har describes feature System functions clip_str ACCELL SQL Script get_line_of_text and Function Reference glob str compare pad str left pad str right reg exp str compare str to char code str to date str to time str to val strlen substr to string to string using to text val to str User commands Text editing commands ACCELL SQL Using an Application ha Additional Help About See Storage and retrieval of text data ACCELL SQL Managing an Application Text screen fields ACCELL SQL Creating Screen Forms Designing an Application 47 Time Data 48 Example iW A time constant specifies hour and minute values in the form HH MM where HH and MM are integers HH in the range 00 to 23 and MM in the range 00 to 59 TIME Data Type Features Manual That Describes Category Feature Feature Configuration TIMEFMT ACCELL SQL variables TIMNULLCH Configuration Variable and Utility Reference Attributes DISPLAY_FORMAT ACCELL SQL Script DISPLAY_JUSTIFY and Function Refer
27. DBMS data type Each database type has a specific internal storage format ACCELL SQL provides the following data types AMOUNT NUMERIC BINARY TRIN BOOLEAN T TEXT DATE ME FLOAT form field ACCELL SQL applications use two kinds of fields screen fields and target fields ACCELL SQL distinguishes between a database column and a screen field Column refers to the actual database component and field refers to a database column being used in an ACCELL SOL application form script An ASCII text file that contains ACCELL AGL event sections statements A form script is associated with a screen form or a global function format template A string of symbols that represent the type of character to be printed for each symbol position Symbols represent digits currency marks positive negative signs and so on GUI Graphical user interface localization The process of adapting an application to the local language or dialect Data display formats can also be customized according to local preferences menu A list of choices for you to choose from open systems Software systems that are compatible with a variety of computer hardware configurations operating systems and user interfaces RDBMS Relational Database Management System record The ACCELL SQL equivalent of a database row ACCELL SQL distinguishes between a row and a record Row refers to the actual database component and record refers to a
28. E to save your entry The following message appears Is name a screen yes or an external function no 6 Type yes and press RETURN ACCELL Generator begins execution and the Form Definition form appears Creating Application Screen Forms 7 Press ADD UPDATE to save the form definition 8 Press PREVIOUS FORM A blank form template appears 9 Press ADD UPDATE to save the blank form 10 Create your form by following the instructions given in ACCELL SQL Creating Screen Forms Or if you do not want to design your form now press PREVIOUS FORM to return to the List of Forms form After you have defined your form return to ACCELL Environment to define another form or to build your application For instructions about how to build your application see Building and Testing the Application beginning on page 91 Creating Application Screen Forms 77 78 Displaying Form Information Detailed information about your forms is automatically maintained by ACCELL SQL You can view this information and add comments by using the Form Information form The following illustration shows an example of the Form Information form Form Information Form FORM INFORMATION Form File Name Time of Creation Time of Last Modification Size of File in Bytes 4GL Script File Name Time of Creation Time of Last Modification Size of File in Bytes Description Creating Application Screen Forms The Fields of the Form Infor
29. GL statements 3 Create the form archives by running the ACMB utility ACMB combines the form file and the form script object file to create an entry in the form archive file 4 Link the application files by running the ALNK utility ALNK creates an application link file that contains information about the application s forms and the form archives in which the forms are stored ACCELL Manager uses the application link file at runtime to access application forms Building and Testing the Application Tip yx If you change your database design after your application has been integrated you can ensure that your form files are concurrent with the database design by running the q2a2q utility m V4 Additional Help w For detailed information about ACPL ACMB and ALNK and other utilities see ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference m Using a makefile You can use a makefile to keep track of the tasks that must be performed UNIX only whenever you change a form or a form script file Dependencies The features described in this subsection are available for the UNIX operating system environment only m The makefile must perform the tasks outlined below After changing this type of file You must perform these tasks Master application 1 Compile the form script file by running ACPL form script with the a option 2 Recombine the script object file and the associat ed form file into the form archive b
30. L SQL commands to compile ACPL and combine ACMB and link the application ALNK Building and Testing the Application Generating a makefile To use a makefile all source file must be located in the current directory and contained in a single form archive When generating a makefile you perform these steps 1 Change to the application directory where you want to generate a makefile This directory is the directory that contains your form and script files and is usually a subdirectory of the directory specified in the ACLENV configuration variable 2 Remove any makefile that is in the application directory 3 Run makeamake to generate a new makefile for your application Reexecute the makeamake utility after you create your application forms and form scripts or when you add or delete forms and form scripts Running makeamake ensures that your makefile is up to date For complete information about makeamake utility syntax and usage 44 Additional Help see ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference m Using make to Compile and Integrate the Application After the makefile has been created you can run the operating system make utility to compile combine and link the application files The make utility uses the makefile to determine whether any files have been changed since the previous file integration Then make automatically runs the appropriate integration steps for the files that have been changed
31. LL SQL RDBMS Integration m Designing an Application 32 x Creating a Default Application 36 w Prototyping Prototyping is a method for creating a model of the application in an experimental environment To avoid possible data loss or corruption do not attempt to create your application in a production environment with an existing database To create a prototype application consider using these methods e Create an experimental database with sample tables and data e Experiment with a variety of form layouts e Experiment with extreme examples of data as well as typical examples e Design forms to perform tasks from the user s perspective e Perform usability testing on the prototype obtain user feedback and recommendations e Revise the application or database in accordance with usability results e Thoroughly test the application Tip Create and test your application in small units one form at a time Build and test the application after each change m To create a default application you can use the MKAP utility The MKAP utility creates a master application form and one form for each table in the database You can use the default application for experimentation for instance to verify that the database and user interface layer are properly configured Warning The MKAP utility overwrites existing application forms and scripts Use this utility only for creating a new application m To create a defa
32. S FORM For information about how to change the specifications for a form such as file names see Displaying or Changing Form Information on page 80 81 2 Deleting a Form Warning You cannot restore a form after it has been deleted The form description the screen form layout and the associated ACCELL 4GL form script are all permanently deleted from the application when you delete a form from the List of Forms form m To delete a form complete these steps T From the Current Application form press NEXT FORM The List of Forms form appears Position the cursor on the appropriate form name on the List of Forms form Press DELETE RECORD The following prompt appears Delete the form yes no To confirm that you want to delete the selected form and its script type yes The form is deleted from the List of Forms form If you want to abort the delete operation type no Creating Application Screen Forms Creating Form Scripts Chapter This chapter describes step 4 of the application development process 1 Design the application 2 Define the ACCELL SQL application 3 Create application screen forms 4 Write form scripts Optional 5 Build and test the application Form scripts are an optional component of your application This chapter provides an introduction to form scripts e form script features e using scripts to control application execution e creating a script file 84 Cre
33. URN and type an application description 70 characters maximum Press ADD UPDATE to save your entry The Message field displays informational messages as your application is created To define the application ACCELL Environment automatically performs these operations creates the aclenv directory e creates an application directory under aclenv registers the application creates a master application form using the application s name and the aq suffix creates a master application form script file using the application name and the as suffix Press ZOOM to display the Application Information form Complete the form with appropriate information For a description of the fields on this form see The Fields of the Application Information Form on page 69 Press ADD UPDATE to save the application information Press PREVIOUS FORM to return to the List of Applications form To exit ACCELL Environment 1 Press PREVIOUS FORM to return to the Current Application form 2 Press PREVIOUS FORM again If you entered ACCELL Environment by selecting the ACCELL SQL Development Environment option the Main menu reappears Otherwise if you used the adev utility from the operating system command line the operating system prompt reappears 67 Maintaining Application Definitions All applications can be maintained with the List of Applications form By using List of Applications you can perform these operations on
34. ackups e adding or deleting users e changing privileges error recovery e recovery from computer failure e allocating memory and disk space The developer documentation may also be needed by the administrator In particular the administrator needs file system information for example e application directory e required files Some administrator documentation can be stored online However in the case of a system failure the administrator will need printed documentation containing recovery procedures Tip Provide a system log for the administrator to use Include troubleshooting tips and the telephone number for customer support Use the log to diagnose and correct recurring problems m Additional Help For general administrative information see ACCELL SQL Managing an Application m 115 User Depending on the purpose of your application and its complexity users Documentation will need varying amounts of documentation Generally user documentation contains these types of helpful information e login and logout instructions e application map e task flow e error message explanations e procedures such as how to find add or delete information e commands and keyboard map e quick reference card e cancelling an operation e how to obtain assistance User documentation provides instructions in how to use the application It does not usually describe the internal design of the software Tip jx In user docum
35. action management system However transaction control is also dependent upon the security features provided by the RDBMS For information about Read Default transaction control ACCELL SQL Writing Form Scripts RDBMS transaction management ACCELL SQL RDBMS dependencies Integration Distributed online transaction ACCELL TP Developing an processing with global and local OLTP Application databases Designing an Application Terminology ACCELL SQL uses a consistent set of terms to describe database information The terminology used by your RDBMS may differ from the terminology used by ACCELL SQL The following table lists some ACCELL SQL terms and examples of equivalent RDBMS terms Database Field Record Selected set Table A set of tables defined in the RDBMS RDBMS terms owner schema user A copy of the data contained in a database column RDBMS terms attribute column field A copy of a row found in a database table RDBMS terms record row tuple A copy of the row values retrieved from a database table by a SQL query RDBMS terms result table The largest division of a relational database consisting of a set of related database columns and rows RDBMS terms record type relation table Additional terms are defined in the Glossary found in each ACCELL SQL manual For more information about how features of your RDBMS correlate with 44 Additional Help ACCELL SQL components see ACCE
36. actions by creating a form script for each screen form The following illustration shows an example of how form scripts user commands and screen forms all interact at runtime To design your form scripts you must understand how an application is executed and how it is affected by the form script Additional Help For detailed explanations of runtime execution and the interaction of application components read ACCELL SQL Writing Form Scripts m Creating Form Scripts Peer T Execution of an ACCELL SQL Application BEFORE APPLICATION INIT FIELD all PREVIOUS FORM ON PREVIOUS FORM AFTER APPLICATION BEFORE FORM ON NEXT FORM NEXT FORM CHOOSE FIRST FORM Master Application Form ABORT APPLICATION ON EXIT AFTER FORM RETURN INIT FIELD all BEFORE FORM BEFORE FIELD PREVIOUS FORM ON PREVIOUS FORM ON FIELD Standard Form ON NEXT FORM NEXT FORM ABORT APPLICATION ON EXIT CHOOSE NEXT FORM AFTER FORM RETURN INIT FIELD all PREVIOUS FORM ON PREVIOUS FORM BEFORE FORM AFTER APPLICATION ABORT APPLICATION ON EXIT BEFORE FIELD ON FIELD Standard Form Legend Description The current screen form defined in ACCELL Generator ACCELL 4GL statements contained in a form script PREVIOUS FORM The ACCELL Manager command executed by the user Creating Form Scripts 87 x Creating a Script in ACCELL Environment 88 Creating a Script File To create a form script file you can us
37. ade since the last compilation Compile Integrate Run Application Option This option executes the ACPL ACMB and ALNK utilities to compile combine and link your application files If there are no errors ACCELL Manager is called to begin execution of the completed application If compilation errors occur ACCELL Manager is not executed Adjust Forms After a DBMS Design Change Option This option updates the application form files to correspond to the new data dictionary You must select this option after you have made changes to the database design If you do not run this option after a database change your forms may not work correctly with their target records Tip You can also perform this update from the operating system command line by using the q2a2q utility m For information about how to use the q2a2q utility see ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference Defining the Application Defining the Application Operating System Option This option temporarily suspends ACCELL Environment to create an operating system subprocess You can execute operating system commands in the subprocess Warning Do not restart ACCELL SQL from a temporary operating system subprocess When you create a subprocess you still have an active ACCELL SQL session which is suspended Creating multiple executions of ACCELL SQL is both confusing and costly on memory usage m 65 Entering AC CELL Envi ronment
38. al teaches you how to develop a sample application by using the ACCELL SQL application development toolset ACCELL SQL Tutor 4GL Made Easy These optional tutorial packages available separately are computer based training CBT courses that provide online practice exercises Each includes a printed job aid booklet This form of instruction is optimal for fast training in the workplace before ACCELL SQL is installed Syntax This manual uses the following syntax conventions to describe Conventions ACCELL SQL statements and functions amp Intersecting circles indicate that the statement has capabilities that are dependent upon a particular operating system user interface or RDBMS For information about RDBMS related extensions or conditions and restrictions see ACCELL SQL RDBMS Integration For information about graphical user interface dependencies see ACCELL SQL Developing an Application for a Graphical User Interface boldface Boldface words are literal strings that you must type exactly as shown italic words Italic words indicate arguments variables numbers or expressions that you must provide Examples are table names column names and constants Titles of manuals are shown in italics for example ACCELL SQL Creating Screen Forms 11 12 UPPERCASE Boldface UPPERCASE words in syntax descriptions are ACCELL SQL reserved keywords ACCELL SQL keywords are not case sensitive you can type either uppercase or lower
39. al users Based on the results of your testing revise your screens error messages help forms or documentation as needed Debugging To resolve errors or problems within ACCELL 4GL scripts you can use an optional component the ACCELL SQL Interactive Debugger The Debugger enables you to display the form script and variable values while the application is running 44 Additional Help Ww For information about how to debug form scripts see ACCELL SQL Interactive Debugger Developer s Reference m Building and Testing the Application 105 106 Building and Testing the Application Implementing the Application Chapter This chapter describes additional features you can add to your application to prepare it for the end user e menus e reports e online help e user commands e desktop icons GUI only 108 Implementing the Application Creating User Menus The Menu Handler component enables you to create menus that are tailored for each user For example you can create a menu that gives a group of users access only to the applications that correspond to their needs The following illustration shows an example of an application menu Intergalactic Enterprises Inc reports REPORTS Menu Item 1 of 3 1 Accounting Reports 2 Sales Reports 3 Inventory Reports SELECTION Fi select F2 up F3 down F4 home F5 previous F6 clear F7 exit F8 help F10 more For complete information about how to create menus wi
40. atabase name assigned by the RDBMS If you have been granted the required RDBMS privileges you can change the database name by using the ACCELL SQL field editing commands Displays your comments about the form You can add or change information in this field by using the ACCELL SQL field editing commands You can enter up to five lines of descriptive information 50 characters per line 79 Displaying or Changing Form Information 80 To display information about an application form complete these steps 1 From the Current Application form press NEXT FORM The List of Forms form appears Select the application form for which you need information Press ZOOM The Form Information form appears View or change information as needed If you have made changes press ADD UPDATE to save your changes To return to the List of Forms form press PREVIOUS FORM Creating Application Screen Forms Creating Application Screen Forms Changing the List of Forms Description You can change the form description displayed on the List of Forms form To change the description of your form complete these steps l From the Current Application form press NEXT FORM The List of Forms form appears Position the cursor on the appropriate form name on the List of Forms form Press RETURN Type a new description over the existing description Press ADD UPDATE to save your entry To return to the List of Forms form press PREVIOU
41. ating Form Scripts Creating Form Scripts lr What Is a Form Script A form script is an ASCII text file that contains ACCELL 4GL statements These ACCELL AGL statements control the events and information that occur on an application screen form Each screen form in your application can have a corresponding ACCELL 4GL form script Form scripts are optional You can also use ACCELL 4GL scripts to define global functions or to execute C functions The ACCELL AGL language provides many features for example e operators and expressions e event sections e transaction control statements e flow control statements e user command definition e function definition e error handling e global functions e array processing e ZoomView e SQL statement execution To create a form script follow the instructions given in ACCELL SQL Writing Form Scripts Additional Help For complete syntax descriptions and examples of all ACCELL 4GL statements see ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference m 85 86 w Controlling Application Execution The execution of your application is controlled by ACCELL Manager The execution sequence is determined by the information specified in ACCELL Generator for the screen form by the ACCELL 4GL form scripts and by commands entered by the user at runtime By default if no form script exists for a form ACCELL Manager executes default actions each time the user executes a command You can customize these
42. bout how to add forms to your application see Creating Application Screen Forms beginning on page 71 Additional Help For information about how to design and create screen forms see ACCELL SQL Creating Screen Forms m A form script contains ACCELL 4GL event sections that control when actions are executed for a form A form script can be used to include zoom forms functions customized commands and other features in your application ACCELL AGL also enables you to specify conditional execution of commands depending on the user interface the last command executed the form mode and so on For information about how to create a form script see the Creating Form Scripts beginning on page 83 Additional Help For information about how form scripts interact with application forms read ACCELL SQL Writing Form Scripts m To build your application ACCELL SQL integrates all application components including forms scripts and functions into an executable application For information about how to build and then test your application see Building Your Application beginning on page 91 Getting Started After Developing Your Application After you have completed development of the application you are ready to begin implementing your application in a production environment For the production environment you can add user features or customize the application for each environment To prepare the application for end users
43. case letters UPPERCASE Italic UPPERCASE words represent ACCELL SQL configuration variables UPPERCASE Other UPPERCASE words represent ACCELL SQL data types such as FLOAT and TEXT Title Chapter and section titles are enclosed by a pair of quotation marks Screen Displays Forms prompts and other information that appear on your terminal screen are represented in a screen outline COMPANY SALES REP NO ADDRESS NAME REP PHONE CITY STATE POSTAL CODE MAIN PHONE CONTACT TITLE PHONE Commands Words that appear in bold italic sans serif typeface indicate ACCELL SQL commands that the user can execute from the keyboard for example Press PREVIOUS FORM The specific keys vary depending upon the user s terminal and the system configuration Because of the flexibility of ACCELL SQL you can assign commands to different function keys for instance Fo Some commands can be executed by using escape sequences or control keys For information about configuring ACCELL SQL commands see ACCELL SQL Setting Up a User Environment Additional Resources gt w Features of This Manual This manual contains specially marked paragraphs containing noteworthy information Tip A tip contains a suggested action or other helpful information m Warning A warning cautions against an action that could cause data loss or damage to the database m Additional Help Additional Help tells you where to fi
44. ctive Debugger leere 21 ACCELOUTP cu ucesstebseeshtesueefist x e A 22 usur AP dengan AR ERA 22 Databas s 34442246 edeedneeaetantes cheesey gai podus 23 User Inferiaces ocsi cas cdes ake REX YA d CR Bo EROR 23 What Is an Application 204 0244 eese est e beds does HR 24 Developing an Application xoc obe iR Rr RESRER EERIASA 25 Preliminary Requirements i2 oe ER rr Ex 25 Development Environment 225 6 2r Res 25 RDBMS DeSiel sno tanger orang exo weder end ba deba 26 Learning to Use ACCELL SOL Commands and Forms 26 Step 1 Designing the Application 21 RR E 27 Step 2 Defining the ACCELL SOL Application 27 Step 3 Creating Application Screen Forms 27 Step 4 Writing Form Scripts 0 cece cee ee eee eens 28 Step 5 Building and Testing the Application 28 After Developing Your Application c cece ee eee 29 Designing an Application 0 cece cece cece cece ee eeee 31 Planning Your Application 26 52x e EE RAO ER YRARER GI ROLE RD e oo 33 The Database Layer esc ede ee rw ARE iea amr ih oy Ee Rd 34 Transaction Control oues se kir eR RREAPASEP RYE 34 Terminology ouiiqesuegatadce quU PP A QUre Rad d E Paca ra 25 Prototyping Luise aucun id tasti add A ae totem ane ARRA 36 Creating a Default Application 0000 36 Por D cutsestatlol 5 44 06 uy RR RRER RARE EIER REOR RE 37 Data TVS rcc eree a o a Shorts a 38 Amoudt Data 22 4 eve Pora e
45. dows and menus e scroll bars The following illustration shows an example of a standard form displayed in a Motif window Im ACCELL Motif Manager Bil Previous Next Clear Database Zoom Misc User Help stored record 1of 10 stored record 1of 10 COMPANY Tathena Development Corp SALES REP NO 7 ADDRESS 5800 S W Washington St NAME G Moore REP PHONE 415 645 1214 CITY Portland STATE OR POSTAL CODE MAIN PHONE 503 246 2400 CONTACT M Bennett TITLE Purchasing Manager PHONE ext 2406 Enter the company name Additional Help For information about how to design screen forms for graphical user interfaces see ACCELL SQL Developing an Application for a Graphical User Interface m Creating Application Screen Forms 75 Defining a New Form This section describes how to define a new form and then start ACCELL Generator To define a new form complete these steps 1 From the Current Application form press NEXT FORM The List of Forms form appears List of Forms Form LIST OF FORMS FOR CURRENT APPLICATION Form Name Form Description tutorial Master Application Form fcompany Company Entry Inquiry fleads Prospect Tracking forders Order Entry Inquiry 2 From the List of Forms form press CLEAR TO ADD A new empty form record appears 3 Type the name of the form you want to add 11 characters maximum Then press RETURN 4 Type a form description 70 characters maximum 5 Press ADD UPDAT
46. e any one of these methods e from ACCELL Environment e from within ACCELL Generator e from the operating system command line Tip Do not attempt to create a complete script all at once Instead create a small basic script compile and test the script until you are satisfied with it Then add more enhancements compiling and testing your script after each change m To create a form script complete the following steps 1 Create a screen form as described in the previous chapter Creating Application Screen Forms 2 From the List of Forms form in ACCELL Environment position the cursor the screen form name 3 Press NEXT FORM The Operations menu appears 4 From the Operations menu select option 2 Edit ACCELL 4GL Script A file having the current form name is opened by the system editor If you are editing the master application form script the file name suffix is as if you are editing a standard form script the file name suffix is fs 5 Create the form script as described in ACCELL SQL Writing Form Scripts You simply use the editing commands provided by your system file editing program 6 Save and close your script file The Operations menu then reappears 7 Compile and integrate your form script See Building and Testing the Application beginning on page 91 Creating Form Scripts Creating a Script in ACCELL Generator Creating a Script File From the Operating System Creating Form Scri
47. eate the application run time executable file form files script files object files archive file link file Building and Testing the Application Contain screen form formats and definitions created in ACCELL Generator application aq master application form form name fq standard form Contain ACCELL 4GL statements application as master form script form name fs standard form script function fs global function Files created by the ACCELL SQL compiler ACPL from the fs and as script files application ao master form script form name fo standard form script function fo global function Image files created by the ACCELL SQL combiner archiver ACMB from the aq fq ao and fo files application fa form archive Application map produced by the ACCELL SQL linker ALNK archive name al application link file 93 This diagram illustrates how these files are used to build a completed application Building the Application ACCELL Generator ACCELL 4GL fs global function script __ fs screen form script fs screen form script as master app form script ACPL f _ fo global function object fo Screen form object o fO Screen form object ao master app form object screen form file screen form file master app form file i 2 a pr a fa i form archives ALNK al 1 application link file Building and Testing the Application Default File
48. ence EXTERN FIELD_LENGTH System functions date_to_mdy ACCELL SQL Script mdy to date and Function Reference null convert str to date str to time to num to date to time 23 59 Additional Help For information about how RDBMS date time values are processed see ACCELL SQL RDBMS Integration m Designing an Application Local Language Support The default language for applications is American English However you can customize your applications for any country or region Many prompts and messages visible to the user can be translated into the required language Adapting an application to specific languages is called localization Localizing an application can be as simple as setting a parameter to a predefined language file For languages or dialects that are not provided by ACCELL SQL you can create customized translation maps with a text editor Localization enables you to customize many application features for example e currency format e date format e Boolean values e time format e number formats For detailed information about localization see ACCELL SQL Localizing an Application m V4 Additional Help Designing an Application 49 50 Designing an Application Defining the Application 32 Chapter This chapter describes steps 2 of the application development process 1 Design the application 2 Define the ACCELL SQL application 3 Create application scree
49. eneous hardware platforms e local database support e centralized administration For additional product and purchase information about ACCELL TP contact your Unify sales representative Because ACCELL SQL is an open systems toolset you can create an application that is compatible with more than one RDBMS user interface or operating system In addition ACCELL SQL features have been optimized to accommodate the special features of each production environment If you are designing your application for a mixed environment you can set configuration variables and write form scripts that are customized to each environment Additional Help For information about how to create portable applications see ACCELL SQL Portability Guidelines m Getting Started Databases The ACCELL SQL application development system is compatible with SQL based relational database management systems such as these e Unify DataServer e INFORMIX e INGRES e ORACLE e SYBASE SQL Server 44 Additional Help For information about how to optimize your application for the RDBMS see ACCELL SQL RDBMS Integration m User Interfaces ACCELL SQL can be executed in any of three user interface options or presentation modes Character UI By default application screen forms are compatible option with standard ASCII terminals Microsoft When using this UI option ACCELL Manager Windows executes your application in a window and uses Windows user interface
50. entation use terminology familiar to the user such as the terminology used in their industry or specialty medical accounting transportation and so on Avoid database jargon and unnecessary explanations Give the user step by step instructions for accomplishing familiar business tasks gm As a guide for designing your own user documentation see V4 Additional Help ACCELL SQL Using an Application m 116 Implementing the Application Configuring the Application After you have developed and tested your application on your host computer you are ready to configure the application for a production environment Setting up your application for end users is dependent on these factors e production environment e computer system e user interface Setting Up the The production environment must be configured for the user rather than Production for an application developer For instance users do not need to use the Environment development tools or experimental database tables that are used by the application developer To configure your application for end users consider these issues e directory structure e privileges permissions and security e language e search metacharacters e database tables and views 44 Additional Help For information about how to configure the user environment see ACCELL SQL Managing an Application m Implementing the Application 117 Moving the Application to Another Computer System
51. er information column titles and pagination For complete information about how to create reports see ACCELL SQL Creating Reports With RPT Report Writer ACCELL Menu Handler The ACCELL Menu Handler component is an interactive menu driven environment in which you can generate a menu system to develop a project create an application and run the completed application For information about how to create menus for your application see ACCELL SQL Localizing an Application ACCELL SQL Interactive Debugger The ACCELL SQL Interactive Debugger product is an optional component that enables you to interact with your running ACCELL SQL application at the source code level The Debugger helps you quickly detect and correct errors in ACCELL 4GL form scripts and allows you to start and stop the program at specific points isolate bugs view or change variable values change or test code and so on For additional product and purchase information about the Debugger option contact your Unify sales representative 2i Portability 22 ie ACCELL TP The ACCELL TP component is an optional product for developing distributed online transaction processing OLTP business applications Using a transaction manager and a graphical user interface ACCELL TP provides many features and advantages for example e distributed processing capabilities e access to one or more global databases e heterogeneous RDBMS support e support for heterog
52. f this decimal point plus a sign and radix separator Category Configuration variables Attributes Form script statements System functions Example 1234 56 Designing an Application AMOUNT Data Type Features Manual That Describes Feature Feature AMTFMT ACCELL SQL AMTNULLCH Configuration Variable AMTPREC and Utility Reference AMTROUND CURRSYM RADIXSEP TRIADSEP DISPLAY FORMAT DISPLAY JUSTIFY FIELD LENGTH DISPLAY EXTERN to amount to float to num ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference 39 Binary Data A binary value consists of binary data rather than character data By default if a binary value exceeds the length allocated in memory ACCELL SQL stores the value in an external file on disk Form fields cannot be created for binary data types To display binary data on the screen use a C hook function in the form script You can manipulate and store binary data by using the ACCELL SQL features listed in the following table For complete descriptions of these features see the specific ACCELL SQL manual listed in the rightmost column Category Configuration variables Attributes Form script statements System functions 44 Additional Help BINARY Data Type Features Feature ACLVARDIR ACLVARMEMLIM FILE_PATH IN MEMORY RETRIEVE VALUE EXTERN RETRIEVE STORE
53. hange the name in the Database field by using the ACCELL SQL field editing commands Description Displays your comments about the application You can add or change information in this field by using the ACCELL SQL field editing commands You can enter up to five lines of descriptive information 50 characters per line Deleting an To delete an application complete these steps Application 1 From the Current Application form press ZOOM The List of Applications form appears Position the cursor on the name of the application to be deleted by using the NEXT RECORD command Press DELETE RECORD The following prompt appears Delete the application yes no Type yes and press RETURN A no response will abort the DELETE RECORD command The application name and description are cleared from the screen All forms and files associated with the application are deleted Press CANCEL ZOOM to return to the Current Application form Press PREVIOUS FORM to return to the Main menu Warning When you delete an application the application directory all of the application s forms and scripts and associated environment data dictionary information are permanently removed from the system To recover the application you must restore it from a backup copy m 70 Defining the Application Creating Application Screen Forms 72 Chapter This chapter describes step 3 of the application development process Design the application
54. hapter introduces the ACCELL SQL application development software e features and components of ACCELL SQL e application components e application development steps e application implementation Getting Started What Is ACCELL SQL ACCELL SQL is an open systems applications development toolset that is compatible with the leading database management systems The power of ACCELL SQL enables you to create an application that will be compatible with a variety of user interfaces databases operating systems and computers Character Microsoft Presentation Layer esses Windows Application Layer ACCELL SQL SQL Computer Getting Started 17 User Features Development Features 18 Whether you use the Unify DataServer RDBMS ORACLE INFORMIX or SYBASE SQL Server INGRES RDBMS ACCELL SQL is compatible with each RDBMS environment In addition ACCELL SQL gives you the flexibility to run a single application with a variety of character and graphical user interfaces with no additional programming ACCELL SQL is the only application development system that combines all the development features you need in one fast and easy to use integrated system For both developers and end users ACCELL SQL provides easy to use fill in the blank forms Commands can be executed by pressing function keys or clicking a mouse button There s no need to learn complex command line syntax ACCELL SQL commands are tailored to the tasks that
55. he Application ACCELL SQL Development Environment Interactive SOL ACCELL SQL Tutorials Operating System Editor Defining the Application For character mode applications you can customize function key definitions by changing the unicap file For information about the unicap file see ACCELL SQL Setting Up a User Environment Main Menu Options The ACCELL SQL Main menu lists options you can use to learn ACCELL SQL and develop applications These options are explained in this subsection This option starts ACCELL Environment ACCELL Environment enables you to create application forms edit ACCELL AGL scripts compile an application and run prototype applications without exiting to the operating system ACCELL Environment simplifies the development cycle by using the same window interface for both ACCELL Environment and end user applications You can switch between designing and running applications almost instantly without changing command sets This option starts the SQL program for your RDBMS See your RDBMS SQL manuals for more information about SQL This option displays a submenu for running the developer s tutorial For information about how to use the developer s tutorial see ACCELL SQL Developer s Tutorial This option starts an operating system subprocess where you can execute operating system commands To return to the Main menu exit the operating system by using the appropriate operating system c
56. heir suggestions into your design With the knowledge you have concerning the application s purpose and users needs you re well on your way toward creating a useful application The design of your application must identify the following elements e forms e relationships of forms to each other e database table associated with each form optional e fields on each form e table columns associated with each form field optional e relationships of fields to other forms e menu structure for traversing application forms e form scripts required if any e global functions required if any e Clanguage functions required if any 33 Transaction Control 34 W The Database Layer The design of the database layer is critical to the success of your ACCELL SQL application The database must be carefully planned in accordance with relational database principles For the greatest flexibility the columns of each database table must be in third normal form Third normal form is the simplest representation of discrete data elements The RDBMS must define and control all aspects of the database including these elements e tables names e column names in each table e data type and length of each column e the relationships between tables and columns e security privileges and recovery e access methods Additional Help For information about how to create a database see your RDBMS documentation m ACCELL SQL provides a default trans
57. ications ACCELL Generator An applications generator used to draw forms to establish field attributes and to define the order of execution for forms ACCELL Manager The ACCELL SQL runtime module for the completed application forms and ACCELL 4GL files ACCELL Manager displays the appropriate application forms executes the ACCELL 4GL scripts accesses the database and interacts with the end user application A software solution to a particular real world problem An ACCELL SOL application is a set of forms designed to resolve the problem such as prospect tracking or order entry ASCII terminal A data communication device equipped with a keyboard and display monitor that is capable of sending and receiving ASCII characters On microcomputers workstations or personal computers a terminal emulation program can be used to simulate an ASCII terminal Boyce Codd normal form BCNF A table in which every determinant is a candidate key CBT Computer based training configuration variable A variable that specifies an aspect of the application development or runtime environment for example the size in bytes of the memory used to stored form and function information data type The formats in which ACCELL SOL displays or stores data When ACCELL SQL processes a form the information is kept in the ACCELL SQL data type Information transferred from ACCELL SQL to the database is converted to the 119 corresponding R
58. is illustrated on the opposite page This manual ACCELL SQL Developing an Application provides a conceptual overview of the ACCELL SQL application development product and outlines the basic steps for developing an application At each step you are directed to the appropriate manual in the documentation set for detailed instructions This manual is intended primarily for the application developer Throughout this manual the word you refers to the application developer The word user refers to any person who will be using your completed ACCELL SQL application Prerequisite Experience The ACCELL SQL application development software is a programming tool intended for professional software developers As a basis for understanding and using ACCELL SQL you must already be familiar with the following subjects or technologies e fundamental data processing concepts e one of the supported relational database management systems Unify DataServer INFORMIX INGRES ORACLE or SYBASE SQL Server e SQL standard query language concepts and syntax e operating system interface and file structures e the C programming language optional Before You Start Before getting started with this manual read and follow the instructions given for installing and configuring ACCELL SQL as described in the following manuals Installing ACCELL SQL ACCELL SQL Setting Up a User Environment 10 If you have used previous releases of ACCELL SQL read abo
59. lation is completed 44 Additional Help For information about file compilation see the ACPL utility description given in ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference m Building and Testing the Application 99 Compiling and Integrating Application Files 100 Using the ACCELL SQL Integration Utilities From the Command Line If your application file names do not have the default file name suffixes you must compile and integrate the files by running the ACCELL SQL integration utilities from the operating system command line When compiling and integrating ACCELL SQL application files complete these steps 1 Make sure that the current directory contains the application files Usually your application screen forms form scripts and other files reside in a single directory In the default directory structure the application directory has the same name as the application and is a subdirectory of the directory specified in the ACLENV configuration variable 2 If your application contains both form script files and form files compile the master application form script and standard form scripts by running the ACPL utility ACPL performs these tasks e Calls the preprocessor which is usually the default ACCELL SQL preprocessor ucpp e Compiles the ACCELL 4GL statements that appear in the form script file by checking each statement s syntax e Produces an object file that contains the compiled ACCELL 4
60. ll the applications currently defined for this database and includes a brief description of each application List of Applications Form replace stored update zoom record 1of 1 records found ACCELL SQL Development Environment Tue Jan 28 08 34 25 1999 CURRENT APPLICATION Application Name Name Description tutorial Master Application Form orders Order Entry The name of an application ZOOM for more information F1 Prv Form F2 Nxt Form F3 Prv Rec F4 Nxt Rec F5 Fld Help F10 More Key Defining the Application 61 Application Information Form 62 The Application Information form displays descriptive information about the current application You can access the Application Information form from the List of Applications form by positioning the cursor on the name of the application and then pressing ZOOM Application Information Form APPLICATION INFORMATION Directory Name usr accelltut Time of Creation Thu Jul3 08 42 30 1986 Time of Last Modification Mon May 18 10 40 37 1987 Number of Forms 4 Database PUBLIC Description For a description of the fields on this form see The Fields of the Application Information Form on page 69 Defining the Application List of Forms Form Form Information Form Operations Menu Defining the Application The List of Forms form displays a list of existing screen forms For information about how
61. mation Form Form File Name Time of Creation Time of Last Modification Size of File in Bytes 4GL Script File Name Time of Creation Time of Last Modification Size of File in Bytes Database Description Creating Application Screen Forms The fields of the Form Information form display detailed information about the current form You can view current information and for some fields you can change the information that is displayed Form File Information The Form Information form displays the following information about the screen form file Displays the name of the form file You can change the name of the file by using the ACCELL SQL field editing commands Display only field Displays the date and time that the form was first defined Display only field Displays the date and time of the last change made to the form Display only field Displays the size of the form file Form Script Information The Form Information form displays the following information about the form script associated with screen form Displays the name of the ACCELL 4GL form script file You can change the name of the file by using the ACCELL SQL field editing commands Display only field Displays the date and time that the form script file was created Display only field Displays the date and time of the last change made to the form script Display only field Displays the size of the form script file Displays the default d
62. n 4 63 Compile Integrate Forms amp 4GL Option 64 Run Application Option 0s3 2052 65 tr RR Rey 64 Compile Integrate R un Application Option 64 Adjust Forms After a DBMS Design Change Option 64 Operating System Option ioierekcacke ekckesta e ass 65 Creating d New Application c ues xax besreex e RYAERERE TERR 66 Entering ACCELL Environment 2525 bcsresasveewsea ceed 66 Using the Main MU occosscavesaoand dee prre Ep 66 Using the adev Utility oiosda ripa cake r ieee ewes eke 66 Defining a New Application sis RR ERREUR KA RR eee 67 Exiting ACCELL Environtfetil 5 esrb ER RR Rm n 67 Maintaining Application Definitions 005 68 Selecting an Application 2eso cile ed REESE 68 Changing an Existing Application Description 69 The Fields of the Application Information Form 69 Deleting an Application scie mee RR RE ERE RE ERE ones 70 Creating Application Screen Forms eere 71 Designing Screen PODES se vess re oa ore OE let he qp d 73 What Is ACCELL Generator 6 6455 ker RR ERR 74 Designing Forms for Character Terminals 74 Designing Forms for Graphical User Interfaces 75 Defining a New EOD 124 canine ca Rar Rd E RARE TRENA 76 Displaying Form Information 44 sd E EX ERRARE CER E 78 The Fields of the Form Information Form 79 Form File Information aiusco a poscis idco 83 eco ear
63. n either decimal or scientific notation which gives full precision in minimum space Values can be formatted with the number format symbols or the printf format FLOAT Data Type Features Manual That Describes Category Feature Feature Configuration FLTFMT ACCELL SQL variables FLTNULLCH Configuration Variable FLTROUND and Utility Reference Attributes DISPLAY_FORMAT ACCELL SQL Script DISPLAY_JUSTIFY and Function Reference EXTERN FIELD_LENGTH Form script DISPLAY ACCELL SQL Script statements and Function Reference System functions to amount ACCELL SQL Script to float and Function Reference to num 12345678 123456789 Additional Help For information about the print format see ACCELL SQL Localizing an Application m Designing an Application Date Data A date constant specifies month day and year values in the form MM DD YY or MM DD YYYY where MM DD and YY are integers MM in the range 1 to 12 DD in the range 1 to 31 YY in the range 00 to 99 and YYYY in the range 0000 to 9999 DATE Data Type Features C Manual That Describes ategory Feature Feature Configuration DATEFMT ACCELL SQL variables DATNULLCH Configuration Variable MONI MONI2 and Utility Reference Attributes DISPLAY FORMAT ACCELL SQL Script DISPLAY JUSTIFY and Function Reference EXTERN FIELD LENGTH System functions date to mdy ACCELL SQL Script mdy to date and Function Reference null convert str to date
64. n forms 4 Write form scripts Optional i 5 Build and test the application This chapter explains how to use ACCELL Environment for creating and defining an application e choosing an application development method e starting the ACCELL SQL software e using development forms e creating a new application e maintaining the application Before using the procedures described in this chapter become familiar with ACCELL Manager as described in ACCELL SQL Using an Application Defining the Application AN Command Line Utilities ly Using ACCELL Environment Defining the Application Choosing an Application Development Method To develop your application you have a choice of two methods e command line utilities e ACCELL Environment Warning Do not attempt to use both application development methods at the same time To ensure that your application files remain consistent with each other use only one method m Each ACCELL SQL component can be executed by using a command line utility at the operating system level If you use utilities you must manage files and compile and build your application entirely at the operating system level To use utilities follow these general steps 1 Create screen forms by using the AGEN utility 2 Create form scripts by using your system file editor 3 Compile form scripts by using the ACPL utility 4 Combine the form and script object files by using the ACMB utili
65. nd compile and run applications all in one environment To speed development ACCELL Environment uses the same commands and interface used for end user applications ACCELL Environment also manages and processes your files automatically so that you can concentrate on developing your application ACCELL Environment includes a source management database to ease maintenance of applications This manual ACCELL SQL Developing an Application provides complete instructions for using ACCELL Environment Use this manual as your guide to the development process ACCELL Generator ACCELL Generator enables you to create a form based user interface interactively It is a completely visual tool allowing you to see each form as you create it 19 20 When creating forms you design the forms right on the screen easily changing their size shape and location as well as specifying borders You can overlap forms place them anywhere on the screen and describe the flow between the forms For a complete description of the ACCELL Generator component see ACCELL SQL Creating Screen Forms ACCELL 4GL ACCELL 4GL is a comprehensive fourth generation language 4GL The ACCELL 4GL is a readable English like language with an easily learned core of event driven statements plus the power of embedded procedural statements Using ACCELL 4GL you can easily add sophisticated control logic and computational power to applications You merely write
66. nd more information about the described topics m The ACCELL SQL development system assumes that you are familiar with database SQL and other computing concepts The following publications contain information that is helpful for understanding other components of your application SQL Standard Query Language American National Standards Institute Database Language SQL2 July 1990 ISO working draft ANSI X3H2 90 264 VMS Operating System Digital Equipment Corporation VMS User s Manual Maynard Mass Digital Equipment Corp 1989 Order number AA LA98B TE UNIX Operating System Sobell Mark G A Practical Guide to the UNIX System 2nd ed Redwood City Calif Benjamin Cummings 1989 13 14 Graphical User Interfaces Nye Adrian and Tim O Reilly X Toolkit Intrinsics Programming Manual for Version 11 of the X Window System Volume 4 of the X Window System series Sebastopol Calif O Reilly amp Associates 1990 OSF Motif Programmer s Reference Quest Motif Environment Santa Clara Calif Quest Systems Corporation 1991 Quercia Valerie and Tim O Reilly X Window System User s Guide for XII R3 and R4 Volume 3 of the X Window System series Sebastopol Calif O Reilly amp Associates 1990 X Toolkit Intrinsics Reference Manual for X Version 11 Edited by Tim O Reilly Volume 5 of X Window System series Sebastopol Calif O Reilly amp Associates 1990 Getting Started 16 Chapter This c
67. om the Operations menu Tip Use the Compile Integrate Forms amp 4GL option when you are trying to resolve compilation errors in an ACCELL 4GL form script m Compile When you select the Compile Integrate Run Application option these Integrate Run operations are performed automatically Application e The ACCELL SQL compiler compiles the form scripts e The ACCELL SQL combiner combines each script and its associated form into a form archive e The ACCELL SQL linker links the application files e ACCELL Manager begins execution of the application A Tip Use the Compile Integrate Run Application option when you have resolved all compilation errors but have made a small change to an ACCELL AGL form script m Building and Testing the Application 97 Integrating Files To integrate files associated with a form that is listed on the List of Forms for Listed Forms form complete the following steps 1 From the List of Forms form select a form 2 Press NEXT FORM The Operations menu appears 3 From the Operations menu select option 3 or 5 The following message appears Is name a screen yes or an external function no 4 Type no and press RETURN The ACCELL 4GL form script associated with the form that you selected on the List of Forms form is compiled combined and linked If integration is successful you can now test the application Integrating Files To integrate files associated with a form that is not
68. ommand This option runs the default system file editor If you have set the EDIT environment variable this option uses the specified editor Otherwise the default system editor is used 57 58 Menu Handler Maintenance Utilities Make Default Application AN i When you use MENU SELECT to select this option or enter edit at the selection prompt the file editor opens an unnamed file You can name the file when you save it When you enter edit and a file name at the selection prompt the file editor opens the specified file When you exit the editor the menu reappears This option displays a submenu for creating user menus with Menu Handler The Menu Handler Maintenance Utilities menu also includes an option for creating a default application with the MKAP utility For information about how to create user menus with Menu Handler see ACCELL SQL Localizing an Application For information about the MKAP utility see ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference This option executes the MKAP utility to create a prototype or default application The default application includes a master application form and one standard form for each database table When MKAP is accessed from the ACCELL SOL menu it runs as an interactive program and prompts you for information such as the application name and table names Warning The MKAP utility overwrites existing application forms and scripts Use this utility only for c
69. play database records and change or delete existing information Some of the forms are accompanied by form scripts A form script is a file that contains ACCELL 4GL statements for manipulating events as they occur on the form Getting Started Preliminary Requirements Getting Started Developing an Application This section outlines the major steps required for developing an application Development Steps 1 Design the application 2 Define the ACCELL SQL application 3 Create application screen forms 4 Write form scripts Optional 5 Build and test the application Before you begin developing an application you must install and configure ACCELL SQL in your development environment You must also be familiar with ACCELL SQL commands and forms Development Environment Application development must be completed on a standard ASCII terminal or terminal emulator with the UNIX or VMS operating systems After completing the application you can transfer the application to other computer systems and user interfaces For information about how to configure your development environment see ACCELL SQL Setting Up a User Environment 25 26 RDBMS Design The ACCELL SQL software is designed for use with relational database management systems The effectiveness of your application is to some extent dependent upon how well the database is designed The database design must define the purpose of the database tables
70. pts To create a form script file from within ACCELL Generator first display your screen form in the form editor Then press EDIT FILE If a form script already exists it appears on the screen if the form script does not exist it is created from the default template The file is opened in your default system editor for example vi To create a script from the operating system command line invoke your standard editing program for example vi For a standard script file specify the file name as the form name with the suffix fs for example userform fs For a master application script file specify the file name as the form name with the suffix as for example master as 89 90 Creating Form Scripts Building and Testing the Application 92 Chapter This chapter describes step 5 of the application development process Design the application Define the ACCELL SQL application Create application screen forms Write form scripts Optional Build and test the application This chapter describes how to build your application and includes guidelines for testing it building an application using the Operations menu using utilities testing the application Building and Testing the Application Building an Application To build your application the screen form files and form script files as well as help files and functions must be compiled combined and integrated The following files are used to cr
71. reating a new application m Additional Help For information about how to use ACCELL SQL utilities see ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference m Defining the Application ACCELL Environment Forms ACCELL Environment provides a series of easy to use forms that enable you to develop your ACCELL SQL application interactively on the screen ACCELL Environment Forms Jm ES Application Current Application List of Applications NEXT FORM List of Forms Form Information NEXT FORM Operations Menu 44 Additional Help To learn more about navigation between forms see ACCELL SQL Developer s Tutorial m Defining the Application 59 Current The first ACCELL Environment form displayed is the Current Application Application Form form This one field form is used to specify the name of the current application The current application is the application you are creating or executing Current Application Form replace not stored update zoom record 1of 1 ACCELL SQL Development Environment Tue Jan 28 08 34 25 1999 CURRENT APPLICATION Application Name tutorial Enter an existing application name or ZOOM to add or list applications F1 Prv Form F2 Nxt Form F3 Sz Form F4 Mv Form F5 Fld Help F10 More Key 60 Defining the Application List of You can access the List of Applications form by pressing ZOOM from the Applications Form Current Application form This form lists a
72. rtant before you begin implementation Some of the factors you need to consider include these topics e user needs and preferences e data types and formats e tasks to be accomplished e data flow e language e user privileges e operating system e user interface For information about how to design an application see Designing the Application beginning on page 31 After you have decided upon a preliminary design for the application you can create a prototype and begin to define the application in ACCELL SQL The application definition defines the name of the application and describes the database schema and tables to be used in the application For information about how to create the application see Defining the Application beginning on page 51 Additional Help For information about how to create applications that can be used with any RDBMS see ACCELL SQL Portability Guidelines m You create screen forms with the ACCELL Generator component ACCELL Generator is an interactive visual tool that enables you to create fields prompts and borders directly on the screen Each screen form is designed to perform a specific business task or to display related information The form is usually associated with a particular table in the database and enables the user to view or change values in table rows 27 y Step 4 Writing Form Scripts w Step 5 Building and Testing the Application 28 For information a
73. se ened cage RH Ron KORR tenes 9 Using This Manual i2 ssas eek ce rh RR ERES ER webs 9 Prerequisite Experience lt 2 yacista TAS RE MERGER ERRAT 9 Before You SIME 22452066 240502454 C250 PERS dose a EP RR Ue 9 Lsar Interfaces aucuesceek buie rd per eu es etii Rees e Ped 10 Relational Database Management Systems 10 Required Manuals iis sss e e RR RR E RE RECS 10 jl rog eT wen eRe eee ae ae 11 Syntax Conventions 2464065 e RE EAE CERRY RE REO E RE 11 Screen Displays s que Edda vx Eu P Roce XE dna ER es di Ve 12 Commands 122526 6k ER EGER ace aeta ed dera bees 12 Features of This Manual 2e rne RR ERR 13 Additional Resources 1 5 22 e e t RR ER REPRE 13 SQL Standard Query Language son 13 VMS Operating System 2 cess cdsedesevdss e 13 UNIX Operating System quu saco seen rhe eO nensing 13 Graphical User Interfaces soe RR RR ERRCIXS 14 Getting Started eser etre ERROR ee bee Gaels dee eke ees 15 What Is ACCELL SQL iu osegaxsRRRRREAAR ERG hase RR Rada 17 User Features 5692949 re kee ETO EONA 18 Development Features 2zizccnzaccaeenad eee aH n Ran 18 Toolset Components vesis errs e wee eh ERE EE Ra uss 19 ACCELL P virotmell 22e RE RRTARRE XE SA 19 ACCRLLE GetetalOt 222 9 99 S4yRRET AW AYER dees 19 PC CELIA sorire sebuueedt dq y X Ire qi RR 20 ACCELL MAfaget sesso seeks esrb ry ra ERR EP RR 20 ACCELL Report Water i2uussscacasurs RAO ER srta ian 21 ACCELL Menu Handlers 22 a i 4 ER REA AER E EY 21 ACCELL SOL Intera
74. stallation user or language e For example error number 8864 contains the following text All records in the selected set are locked by another user You can change this message as desired for example Another user is updating these records Please try again later e To change help forms you can edit them with the form editor in ACCELL Generator or you can use the PAINTHLP utility For information about this utility see ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference Additional Help For complete information about how to customize error messages and help forms see ACCELL SQL Localizing an Application m 111 ACCELL Manager Commands Developer Defined Commands V 112 Customizing User Commands By default ACCELL SQL provides a set of commands for performing user operations on forms However you can customize these commands or create your own commands for these features e ACCELL Manager commands e developer defined commands e application execution ACCELL SQL provides a set of default commands as defined in the unicap file However ACCELL Manager commands can be customized renamed enabled and disabled for particular users or for different modes Function key labels can also be customized To customize the ACCELL Manager commands for a character mode application you simply edit the user s unicap file To customize commands for a graphical presentation mode application you must customize the
75. th Menu Handler 44 Additional Help see ACCELL SQL Localizing an Application m Implementing the Application 109 110 Creating User Reports Users often need periodic reports formatted in tabular columns and printed on paper ACCELL SQL provides an easy method for designing and generating user reports ACCELL Report Writer ACCELL Report Writer is a report generator Reports can be generated with data from a variety of sources including SQL queries and ASCII files ACCELL Report Writer uses a nonprocedural English like language for formatting the data The following illustration shows an example of a simple report Complete information about how to create report with Report Writer is in ACCELL SQL Creating Reports With RPT Report Writer Sample Report SALES REPORT STATE CA CITY Los Angeles CUSTOMERS ABC Company Inc Mom s Auto Repair Inc SALES Los Angeles CITY San Jose CUSTOMERS Fixit Yourself Company TOTAL SALES THIS REPORT AVERAGE CUSTOMER ORDER ORDER AMOUNT 98475 54 321 99 423485 238 67 54 560 66 348661 98 342 59 78563222 23 586 89 123456789 55 676 50 177 605 98 232 166 64 ORDER AMOUNT 3855776 12 887 50 18496333 239 00 13 126 50 178 385 43 1 003 347 73 13 030 49 Implementing the Application w Implementing the Application Customizing Online Help ACCELL SQL error messages and your help forms can be customized for a particular in
76. ting the appropriate ACCELL SQL commands ACPL for the compiler ACMB for the combiner and ALNK for the linker See Using the ACCELL SQL Integration Utilities From the Command Line on page 100 From the UNIX operating system you can also create a makefile with the ACCELL SQL utility makeamake The makefile keeps track of the dependencies between the application form and script files The makefile lists the compilation steps that must be performed when a given file in the application changes You can then perform only the needed compile steps by executing the make command See Using a makefile on page 101 Building and Testing the Application Using the Operations Menu From ACCELL Environment you can compile an ACCELL 4GL form script by choosing an option on the Operations menu On the Operations menu Compile Integrate Forms amp 4GL is option 3 and Compile Integrate Run Application is option 5 Either option compiles and integrates your forms and ACCELL 4GL form scripts Compile Integrate When you select the Compile Integrate Forms amp 4GL option these Forms amp 4GL operations are performed automatically 1 The ACCELL SQL compiler compiles the form script 2 The ACCELL SQL combiner combines the script and its associated form into a form archive 3 The ACCELL SQL linker links the application files To run the compiled and integrated application select option 4 Run Application fr
77. tion documentation for maintaining the application Most applications require three types of application documentation e technical documentation e administrator documentation e user documentation As with any software project you will generally need documentation that describes the application in detail For example for each form you need a record of the associated database table its purpose a list of fields and so on Also consider the need for the following types of documentation e application flow diagram e database specifications e error numbers and messages e known deficiencies e project history e enhancements requests To obtain information about any application form you can use the FRMDOC utility This utility displays field definitions and a diagram of the screen layout Additional Help For information about how to use the FRMDOC utility see ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference m Implementing the Application Administrator Documentation lr Implementing the Application When an application has been completed and is ready for a production environment the system administrator requires instructions for maintaining the application In addition to the standard ACCELL SQL documentation set the administrator needs specific information about the application In your administrator documentation include procedures for all tasks related to running the application for example e system b
78. ty e Create the completed application by using the ALNK utility 6 Execute the completed application by using the AMGR utility Additional Help For detailed information about utilities see ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference m This manual describes how to use ACCELL Environment to create your application By using ACCELL Environment you do not have to manage your files at the operating system level ACCELL SQL automatically executes the required utilities for you at each step 53 Starting ACCELL SQL Before you begin using ACCELL SQL verify that your environment has been correctly configured as described in ACCELL SQL Setting Up a User Environment All ACCELL SQL utilities and forms use the default directories language and database specified by your configuration The ACCELL SQL To begin using ACCELL SQL execute the accell utility from the Main Menu operating system command line The Main menu appears as shown below ACCELL SQL Main Menu Menu Item 1 of 6 ACCELL SQL Development Environment Interactive SQL ACCELL SQL Tutorials Operating System Editor Menu Handler Maintenance Utilities SELECTION Fi select F2 up F3 down F4 home F5 previous F6 clear F7 exit F8 help F10 more The appearance of the Main menu may differ depending upon the RDBMS you are using 54 Defining the Application Selecting an Option You can select an option from the menu in three ways e Type the
79. ult master application form only you can use the make maf utility Additional Help For information about how to use ACCELL SQL utilities see ACCELL SQL Configuration Variable and Utility Reference m Designing an Application Form Documentation Designing an Application For each application form you can execute the FRMDOC utility to print a description of the form and each field on the form You can then use these descriptions as a basis for documenting your application 37 w Data Types This section describes the data types provided by ACCELL SQL e AMOUNT e BINARY e BOOLEAN e FLOAT e DATE e NUMERIC e STRING e TEXT The RDBMS data types do not always correspond to ACCELL SQL data types However ACCELL SQL provides default data type conversions depending upon the RDBMS In addition you can convert data types by using ACCELL 4GL system functions The tables in this section list ACCELL SQL features that manipulate data types The display format of data types can be customized by using formatting templates For information about format templates see ACCELL SQL Localizing an Application Additional Help To determine the data types that correspond to your RDBMS data types see ACCELL SQL RDBMS Integration m Designing an Application Amount Data An amount constant is a floating point value of up to 11 digits total by default the value includes a decimal point and 2 digits of precision to the right o
80. users need to perform such as searching for information or editing records For example users can execute commands such as these e FIND e NEXT RECORD e DELETE RECORD Because ACCELL SQL is itself an application you use a similar set of commands for creating your application For developing applications ACCELL SQL provides many features and advantages for example e SQL based architecture e forms generator e pop up forms and menus e data transfer between forms e high level event driven fourth generation language 4GL e global and local functions e one dimensional and two dimensional arrays e comprehensive data types e C language interface e compatibility with graphical user interfaces Getting Started Toolset Components Getting Started The ACCELL SQL toolset consists of several components that together provide an integrated development system ACCELL Environment ACCELL Generator ACCELL 4GL ACCELL Manager ACCELL Report Writer ACCELL Menu Handler Optional add on products are also available for adapting applications to special environments These products can be purchased separately as needed ACCELL SQL Interactive Debugger ACCELL TP Each of these components is briefly described below ACCELL Environment ACCELL Environment consists of the forms and menus used to access ACCELL SQL components ACCELL Environment enables you to design ACCELL Generator screen forms edit ACCELL 4GL form scripts a
81. ut new features and changes in the following manuals ACCELL SQL Release 2 Features and Changes ACCELL SQL Converting Release 1 Applications to Release 2 User Interfaces This manual describes the steps for developing character mode applications For additional information about how to create applications in a graphical presentation mode use this manual with the following manual ACCELL SQL Developing an Application for a Graphical User Interface Relational Database Management Systems In some cases ACCELL SQL works differently depending on the relational database management system RDBMS that is used with it For additional information about how ACCELL SQL interacts with the RDBMS see the following manual ACCELL SQL RDBMS Integration For information about how to create form scripts that can be adapted to any type of RDBMS see ACCELL SQL Portability Guidelines Required Manuals To develop an application this manual directs you to detailed instructions given in the following manuals ACCELL SQL Using an Application ACCELL SQL Creating Screen Forms ACCELL SQL Writing Form Scripts ACCELL SQL Script and Function Reference Tutorials Before starting application development you can experiment with ACCELL SQL and learn its major features by using one or both of the ACCELL SQL tutorial packages ACCELL SQL Developer s Tutorial This manual describes the tutorial included with your ACCELL SQL release The tutori
82. y calling ACMB with the a option 3 Relink the application files by running ALNK Standard form 1 Compile the form script file by running ACPL script P 2 Recombine the form script object file and the associated form file into the form archive by run ning ACMB 3 Relink the application files by running ALNK continued on next page Building and Testing the Application 101 After changing this type of file You must perform these tasks Master application 1 Recombine the form file and the associated form form script object file into the form archive by running ACMB with the a option 2 Relink the application files by running ALNK Standard form 1 Recombine the form file and the associated form script object file into the form archive by running ACMB 2 Relink the application files by running ALNK The makefile make and makeamake You can use a makefile and the operating system make utility to let ACCELL SQL know which files to compile combine and link The make utility reads the makefile file to determine which files need to be reprocessed compiled combined and linked when a form or form script file is changed The makefile contains the list of commands that are needed to reprocess the changed files Because the syntax of the makefile is complex ACCELL SQL provides the makeamake utility to save you from having to create your own makefile The makeamake utility creates a makefile that contains the ACCEL

ACCELL/SQL: Developing an Application

Contents

Download Pdf Manuals

Related Search

Related Contents