Advanced Client EASYCOM/400 for Visual Basic
Contents
1. fcx De A MD LEM EACVBEnableAutoRead tenete EACVBEnableLink EACVBEnableRange EACVBGetBookmark EACVBGetFieldInfo EACVBGetFieldValue EACVBGetFormatinfo EACVBGotoBookmark EACVBNAavigator EACVBOpenFile EACVBPUField Valle EACVBPutKey Values 2 teen in aia EACVBRecordCount FACVBRemo ieCommand 2 hits a EAGVBROIIBACk eus er i cc A EACVBScreenToBuffer EACVBSetMachineName EACVBSetRange EACVBSetUser EACVBStartConnection EACVBStopConnection reia IE EACVBUpdale iia as EACVBWizardCloseTables EACVBWizardOpenTables Easycom Slored PrOG aite a EE etie Easycom Toolkit2. sse 35 Functions associated with a grid 36 Using a project generated by Easycom 39 Opening a new project with EASYCOM for VB 39 Adding EASYCOM for VB to an existing project 39 Connectionin 43 Disconnect OR 43 Opening and closing files nn 47 Establish Master Detail relation 47 Fileipropenties icon nn 47 Sequential and index file access 51 1 nee 2er ei tn o et 51 Field properties teet ange 51 Adding ECO iii Dn esa dain ideis 51 Moditying a record 322242 52 Deleting records icio te t e E buts ec ai c fed 52 Filtering and accessing subset of data 53 Using bookmarks temet d de 53 RPG DTAGQ Config ration s xoc ne 65 Program description e Ree c EC eres iU e ee ei eer ee ttes 66 Using AS 400 programs with VB 68 1 RPC With I O parameters 68 2 RPC Without Input parameters 69 DataQueue Description sis 70 Using DataQueuss with VB nente gillian eR D ten 72 Dataqueue access without a 72 Keyed dataqueue access in 73 Verify ACE 400 installation 77 Acces using 16 bits with either NetSoft Router Client Access Netware for SAA ja ode ea Pre mn aie Me Mal cease 77 Access using 32 bits with either NetSoft Router Client Access Netware for SAA ln ci phate E E
3. dh cen 77 Access 16 or 32 bits router using SNA Server 78 TGP IP n tif a6 Cessna rebota 78 Verify the middleware installation 78 Technical Support Advanced Client 400 82 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ACE 400 for Visual Basic INTRODUCTION EASYCOM POUR VB Advanced Client Easycom 400 for VB is a complete and powerful AS 400 development tool It is a high level performance middleware to access interactively all AS 400 resources and services in a native mode including files programs AS400 commands The Goal of the product The complete integration of the EASYCOM engine in the Visual basic development platform The access to the AS 400 resources is done using the standard Visual Basic components ACE 400 for VB was a result of the integration of the EASYCOM technology that was designed specifically to connect Pc based application to the full enterprise information systems on the AS 400 ACE 400 for VB is a software interface middleware that makes positioning the AS 400 as both an application server and a data server for all Visual basic client applications a success further it ensures the portability of the application regardless of the application server The Integration While designing ACE 400 for VB our Research and development team maintained simplicity of use as the tool major target The integration facilitates using
4. 12 een 13 AS 400 System Requirements sse 13 PC System Requirements tenete tette tette tette 13 Product features esse 13 Client Server Development but of course it s simple 13 Installation 17 On the PO Side iniciaba chal 17 Onthe AS 400 2 ea du eee ila ee 17 Requirement to install2 2 2 0 iria 17 Installation of ACE 400 for VB iii 18 Installation mr itis 18 Installing he saimples cimo ae r 19 Using the Wizard doeet Ie er EGRE Inn itia 23 Startthe WIZatd 2er ee cde ce e eh 23 Main Selection Screen ara 23 Managing files in a project 24 Defining a master detail relationship 26 Generating forms 2 een 27 Creating a project with EASYCOM Wizard for VB 28 Themainimodule ui aieo Eo been oid iro ip ies 30 The relational layout module 31 Code attached to the forms generated 32 Textand Label Controls eret ae 32 CheckBox Controls trans erg 32 RadioButton Gontrol 2484 rn ad ob h als 33 BB amp nd Controls cotes coc A lt EN Sa 33 Navigation Buttons Functions to automatically manage controls Updating a form with data from AS 400 files 34 Updating files with data entered on the form 35 Managing the Navigation Buttons
5. Data access controls for one single file 2 Grid access format 3 A Detail grid component Managing files in a project In the following screen the developer selects the files to be used in the project When the wizard is started a second time all previous selections in the project will be displayed and available to be modified EASYCOM Wizard Step 2 EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 24 ASSISTANT The first list contains the name of the ALIAS used in this project An Alias is a name used to refer to each file accessed on the AS 400 All the Alias names are distinct names given to each accessed file Add an Alias use the Add File button A dialog box will be displayed Select a name of a library on the AS 400 then select a file from the displayed list of files in the library Add a program or a DataQueue use the button Add Program The user will find themselves accessing screens in the RPC Dataqueue configuration module described in detail in the chapter PROGRAMMES and DATAQUEUES On the previous screen the alias name can be modified Bboth the file name and the library name can be changed The name of the files and libraries are defined as literals between quotation marks If the quotation marks are deleted then the label of the file or library is considered a variable Those variables will have to be defined in a module as a global variable This functionality is used to use the name of the file
6. In 16 bits the following DLLs EASYCOM DLL EASY16VBA DLL are in a directory included in the PATH or in the subdirectory WINDOWS SYSTEM In 32 bits The following files EASYCO32 DLL EAC32VBA DLL are n a directory included in the PATH or in the subdirectory WINDOWS SYSTEM The APPC router either 16 or 32 bits is correctly installed and configured on the Pc If you are using an SNA Server verify both the server side and the client of SNA Server topography Acces using 16 bits with either NetSoft Router Client Access Netware for SAA The file EHNAPPC DLL of the correct router used must be either in a directory included in the path or in the subdirectory WINDOWS SYSTEM A default profile has been set and its parameters are defined to establish a connection top the AS 400 The entry NETWORK of the section GENERAL in the file EASYCOM INI directory C WINDOWS doe not exist or it indicates a value of EHN Access using 32 bits with either NetSoft Router Client Access Netware for SAA EASYCOM POUR VB The E32APPC DLL of the correct router used must be either in a directory included in the path or in the subdirectory WINDOWS SYSTEM A default profile has been set and its parameters are defined to establish a connection top the AS 400 The entry NETWORK of the section GENERAL in the file EASYCOM INI directory C WIN
7. 400 developer limited for a period of time 5 Maintenance release shall mean corrections of errors and minor additions or improvements of functions in the software that are released to the public by Licensor from time to time at its sole discretion A new maintenance release is identified by a modification of the product numbering to the right of a decimal point e g a released labeled 4 1 would be a maintenance release of version 4 or 4 0 of the software 6 New Version shall mean important additions of improvements of functions or modules in the software that are released to the public by Licensor from time to time at its sole discretion A New Version is identified by a modification of the product numbering to the left of decimal point e g a move from 4 1 to 5 0 Licensor maintains full discretion as to whether and when to issue a new release of the Software and whether to classify a new release as a Maintenance Release or New Version GRANT OF LICENSE 7 License for Evaluation You may use the Evaluation Version of the Software and Documentation in accordance with the terms of this Agreement except that you will not benefit from the rights set forth in sections 9 18 22 and 23 below andsokly for the purpose of deciding whether to purchase a full License to the Software You may also reproduce and distribute including by means of posting on an Internet forum the un installed Evaluation Version of the Software k
8. field CHECKEDVALUE is the value of the field when the checkbox is selected UNCHECKEDVALUE is the value of the field when the checkbox is unchecked Notes While executing the application if the value of a field associated with a checkbox control does not correspond to the CHECKEDVALUE or the UNCHECKEDVALUE then the control will have a status of undetermined The property caption of the control automatically holds the column heading description on the AS 400 for the field EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 32 ASSISTANT Radio Button Control The property Tag has the following format EAC ALIAS FIELDNAME TRUEVALUE FIELDNAME is the field name TRUEVALUE the value ofthe field when the radio button is selected The radio control buttons are automatically grouped in frames to simplify generating multiple groups of radio buttons in the same form DBGrid Control The property Tag has the following format EAC ALIAS AutoRefresh AutoRefresh is an optional value for the tag property It controls the automated refresh of a detail grid It is usefull in the case of a Master Detail grids The title of each grid column is the value associated with the column of the AS 400 field and the field name is in the entry FieldName Two events are added to simplify using the component and automatically filling up the grid Navigation Buttons The Easycom wizard can generate navigation buttons automatically Hic
9. BF or OPNQRYF before issuing the file access command in ACE 400 for VB e Change the properties of the AS 400 access session e Allocate objects e Delete copy move objects CHAPTER 3 Installation Steps Caution remark Some applications that manage AS 400 security can stop the successful installation of the EASYCOM engine on the AS 400 as they cease accepting any data from outside the AS 400 world In this case deactivate the security wall prior to the installation procedure PROCEDURE D INSTALLATION Installation The installation procedure for ACE 400 for VB is performed from a PC and it has two different parts e Theinstallation of the PC side e The installation of the server side on the AS 400 The AS 400 server side is to be installed once only per AS 400 The following steps will be performed during each side of the installation On the PC side e Creating an ACE400 directory e Adding a sub directory for the examples e all required files On the AS 400 e Creating an library default name is e Creating a variety of files in this library Requirement to install The PC station has to be connected to the AS 400 by either an APPC router session PCS Client ACCESS NETSOFT or by an access TCP IP to the AS 400 For the installation only the user profile using the AS 400 connection has to be of type QSECOFR security officer It is possible to set that profile duri
10. DOWS doe not exist or it indicates a value of EHN Chapitre 12 Page 77 SUPPORT TECHNIQUE Access in 16 or 32 bits router using SNA Server The files WINAPPC DLL 16 bits or W32APPC DLL 32 bits of the correct router used must be either in a directory included in the path or in the subdirectory WINDOWS SYSTEM The entry NETWORK of the section GENERAL in the EASYCOM INI directory C WINDOWS indicates value of SNA The entry LU of the section SNA in the EASYCOM INI must indicate the alias of a Local L U The entry LOCATION of the section GENERAL in the file EASYCOM INI must indicate the alias of the Remote L U AS400 TCP IP natif access TCP IP is running on both the PC side and the AS 400 The entry network in the section GENERAL of the file EASYCOM INI directory c WINDOWS indicates the value tcp The entry location of the section GENERAL in the file EASYCOM INI directory c WINDOWS indicates the address of the AS 400 Verify the middleware installation The AS 400 operating system number is correct The information in the dialog box Server Installation server name LU name are correct The router access mode either 16 or 32 bits is correct The user profile used by the router to connect to the AS 400 has the appropriate rights to read w
11. EAS YCOM Advanced Client EASYCOM 400 for Visual Basic The Perfect Add on for L a USER Manual MIS Systems Ref VBMURG 12 07 User License OWNERSHIP OF THE SOFTWARE 1 The Advanced Client Easycom 400 software programs Software and accompanying written materials the Documentation are owned by MIS Systems and AURA Equipements Licensors and are protected by Intemational copyright laws and by international treaties The Easycom engine is a product that is the sole propriety of AURA Equipements DEFINITIONS 2 End User The End user is either the natural person or the legal subject that bought the license or that uses an Evaluation Version 3 Evaluation Version Your use of the software is for the purpose of evaluating whether to purchase an ongoing license to the Software You use an Evaluation Version when you install the Software without the appropriate serialization code which takes the form of a serial number to be install system When you use an Evaluation Version as soon as the DLL files in the Software are called upon will be prompted before a dialog box appears explaining that you are running an Evaluation Version of the Software You will then receive about twenty minutes of time to use the product by a similar dialog box every minute after one hour of use The total number of time you can use the DLL is limited to 100 Anyhow the case the evaluation period for use is limited to 15 days 4
12. EASYCOM Technology e Examples of applications e User guide Client Server Development but of course it s simple Once the Easycom engine is installed on the AS 400 side no other operation is required on the AS 400 side The AS 400 components are loaded in a library of objects that manages the protocol of communication APPC and IP It does not require any specific programming tasks to initiate it The performance of Pc based applications are comparable to other applications accessing data on Pcs or network servers ACE 400 can access files whether physical logical joint 36 format as could any application written in RPG or Cobol ACE 400 converts all AS 400 field format to equivalent PC format ACE 400 has access in real time to the file and field descriptions All the security restraints of the AS 400 are complied with whether on data file access program access or on commitment control level So all applications can lock records for open files in read write mode based on the rules for record locking management and record conflict established by the AS 400 operating system without affecting other applications accessing the same data files The security and data integrity of the AS 400 is not compromised in any way offering the VB developer a secure and reliable high capacity data server The applications developed in VB could issue a variety of AS 400 commands for example Manage the files accessed using OVRD
13. M POUR VB Chapitre 11 Page 68 PROGRAMME ET DATAQUEUES 2 RPC Without Input parameters Without input parameters we can not access records by key The approach to RPC can be done in the following step five steps e Open the procedure as a file with the command EACVBOper File One open statement is necessary for several concecutive calls e Call the function EACVBAddNew to set the access mode to edit e Call EACVBUpdate to Initiate the execution of a program e Call EACVBRead in mode NEXT or FIRST Eventualy issu the call EACVBGetFieldValue to retrieve the returned parameters of the program Note This method of access could be used to receive input parameters that would be set by a call to the function EACVBPutFieldValue prior to issuing an EACVBUpdate request Example In Visual Basic Dim ret As EACVBERR ret EACVBOpenFile PGM RPCSAMPLE EACVBOPEN_READWRITE hdl Edit mode ret EACVBAddNew hdl In stead of the Input parameters execute the procedure ret EACVBUpdate hdl retrieve the results ret EACVBRead hdl EACVBREAD_NEXT 0 ret EACVBGetFieldValue hdl PARAMOUT OutValue EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 11 Page 69 PROGRAMME ET DATAQUEUES DataQueue Description All data queue types on the AS 400 can be accessed by procedures From the simple FIFO dataqueue to the KEYED access dataqueue The procedure DTAQ_FIFO is an example of access to a simple procedure and t
14. Modify Add and Delete records on AS 400 files from VB e Perform optimized read and write operations by using buffers Seek and access files by key e Automate showing the links between files e Define the filter range for a file access to be a subset of a file e Use Data Queues e Execute Cl programs on the AS 400 from within VB e Call RPG Cobol Or C programs on the AS 400 and pass parameters The Simplicity of use Using ACE 400 for VB is largely simplified because of the availability of a standard VB wizard This simplifies creating prototypes and optimizing the developed programs at a late stage This Wizard maintains a list of all AS 400 files used by the application and their relationships and access path EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 1 Page 10 CHAPTER 2 System Requirements System Requirements AS 400 System Requirements e Any AS 400 series except the initial series e 05 400 version 2 2 or later e PC connections through an Ethernet Token Ring Twinax or SDLC network with each PC having a single connection point PC System Requirements e 386 25 or better processor e TCP IP protocol or one of the following APPC Router PCS Client Access or NS Router Eicon Netware for SAA Microsoft Client SNA Microsoft SNA Server e Windows 3 x Windows NT or Windows 95 e 16 or 32 bit Delphi Developer or Client Server Edition Product features e Functions library DLL e Objects library on the AS 400
15. Software Software is the right to use the software product EASYCOM Server and the Advanced Client 400 a direct level access for a PC Side for one development tool a Installation The Advanced Client Easycom 400 software includes two parts the client part and the server part The client part is to be installed on the PC which one is linked to the AS 400 The server part is to be installed on the AS400 b You can install the server part only once at a time one a specific AS 400 machine The software activation key is calculated by using the AS 400 serial number In case the software is to access to several AS 400 you have to purchase a license for each AS 400 c The client part can be installed on as many PC s you want But only as many PC s as the number of users of the license will be able to access the AS 400 at a time The activation key is calculated by using the number of users too d The evaluation version includes only one server part one client part with one single connection 4 1 The Advanced Client Easycom 400 developer gives to the developer all the functions requested for the development of an application 4 2 The Advanced Client Easycom 400 runtime gives to the user the possibility to execute the application which has been developed with Advanced Client Easycom 400 developer You can not develop any application with Advanced Client Easycom 400 runtime 4 3 The evaluation version is Advanced Client Easycom
16. aQueue This field is a parameter or the 1 of a Data Structure this field is not significant foe a datya queue AS 400 format exact AS 400 field definition of the parameter expected by the program field type number of digits and number of decimals PC format description of the PC format used to view the AS 400 data on the PC Many dataqueues could be described with procedures and even many procedures could be described for the same dataqueue The procedures created could be modified by clicking on the button Edit Procedure or deleted by clicking on the button Remove Proc EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 11 Page 71 PROGRAMME ET DATAQUEUES Using DataQueues with VB Before using a dataqueue it must be open just like a file by issuing the function EACVBOpen File The opened object must be of type DTAQ PROC wehere PROC is the name of a procedure selected by the RPC DATAQUE configuration see the begining of the chaptre PROGRAMS AND DATAQUEUES Dataqueue access without a key Reading records from a dataqueue with ACE 400 for VB is identical to file keyed access without specifying an operation The fields TIMEOUT FILER and ORDER are key factors However The TIMEOUT parameter is the only one used The read operation is done in 3 steps e Set the timeout value with the function EACVBPutKeyValue e Use EACVBRead to read an entry by key e Use EACVBGetFieldValue to retrieve
17. apitre 9 Page 57 CHAPTER 10 Remote acess commands LE REMOTE COMMAND The remote access commands AS 400 comands executed in NON INTERACTIVE mode without screen display or keyboard interaction on the AS 400 with a returned confirmation of execution and the complete execution of the command This action is performed with the function EACVBRemoteCommand Execution of the comamnd is done in three stages e Send the command to the AS 400 e Execute the command on the AS 400 The client station is waiting for the process to complete e The returned response of the execution success or not is returned to the client station The notion of executing commands on the AS 400 complements the call to RPC Remote Procedure Call that is used to access programs on the AS 400 For further details on using programs on the AS 400 refer to the chapter PROGRAMS and D ATAQUEUES EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 10 Page 61 CHAPTER 11 Programs and Dataqueues Preliminary notions Unlike a file the AS 400 programs and DataQueues do not have an external description A program expects input parameters and returns results by modifying the received parameters The number of parameters and their data type is only defined inside a program DataQueue contains a file of messages just like a program the size and the type of fields in the record in only defined inside the DataQueue For EASYCOM to be able to convert data b
18. ble The procedures created could be modified by clicking on the button Edit Procedure or deleted by clicking on the button Remove Proc EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 11 Page 67 PROGRAMME ET DATAQUEUES Using AS 400 programs with VB Calling procedures on the AS 400 is similar to the read or write operation on a file 1 RPC With I O parameters Executing a procedure is performed in four steps e Open the procedure as a file with the command EACVBOper File One open statement is necessary for several consecutive calls e Set the input parameters and the I O parameters with the function EACVBPutKeyValue The Input and I O parameters will appear then as keys e Executing the procedure by a call to the function EACVBRead Use the read option EACVBREAD_KEYEQ e Retrieve the eventual Output or I O parameters by issuing calls to the function EACVBGetFieldValue The Output and I O parameters are considered and used as fields Note that the approach is the same as reading a file by key The Input and I O parameters are simply used as key values Example In Visual Basic Dim ret As EACVBERR open file ret EACVBOpenFile PGM RPCSAMPLE EACVBOPEN_READWRITE hdl Setup input parameters ret EACVBPutKey Value hdl PARAMIN InValue 4 Initiate a program call ret EACVBRead hdl EACVBREAD_KEYEQ 0 Read of Output parameters ret EACVBGetFieldValue hdl PARAMOUT OutValue EASYCO
19. corresponding field on the le master file and push the Add button The developer is reminded of the relationship fields and their links by the window labeled Linked Fields Define Link with a master table Master Table Data Tabla sP unD j SP_LET_OR Master Ralde OST JD ORDER DATE SHP_DATE Daa 5 Push the OK button when the relationships are correctly defined If you recall this screen by pushing the set master table button again the relationships defined previously will reappear EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 26 ASSISTANT Generating forms Select the alias corresponding to the data you wish included in a form The mode of file accessed depends on the selection made in stage 1 So if you selected single record you could select any file access type Master Detail Without link If you opted for a grid option Grid Datasheet you will have to select a file without link option Finally if you selected the Detail grid it is required to select a detail file If you are not in one of the three previous cases the Next button will show up grayed In that case you will have the options to return back and modify complete your selection The next few screens are used to select fields and the type of control used for each field You can also add navigation buttons Note To make a form with many files l
20. each one of the two platforms Client side on the PC and server side on the AS 400 to accomplish what it can do best It ensures maintaining the data on the most efficient platform avoids duplicating the data and displays the data in a graphic interface ACE 400 for VB is a complete interface of communication between the AS 400 and Visual basic So the EASYCOM server functions manages all the communications between the AS 400 and the PCs While all the functions ACE 400 are perfectly integrated in VB they do access equivalent functions on the AS 400 Easycom server ACE 400 for VB is a complete communication middleware that opens the access to the AS 400 data to the VB developers in native access mode and in real time EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 1 Page 9 INTRODUCTION EASYCOM POUR VB The performance The client stations under Windows using Visual Basic have with ACE 400 all the advantages inherited from the strength of Visual Basic as a development environment and the native access to the AS 400 data Further ACE 400 opens many other options to the developers e Immediate communication to the AS 400 e No code is generated on the AS 400 e Data integrity constraints are fully respected e Access to transaction commitment control e File sharing and record level locking e Record level Access at lightning speed e Retrieve the description of the AS 400 data files e Read the file field description DDS e Read
21. erver Installation 16 Bits or Easycom Server Installation 32 Bits After the installation of the server side the user can run the ACE 400 configuration to verify the connection Notes O The time of the installation of the server side could vary from 5 to 30 minutes based on the configuration of the AS 400 lf the Job issued on the AS 400 during the installation is in a status SFW Save File Wait during a long time it is normal just continue to wait EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 3 Page 18 PROCEDURE D INSTALLATION Installing the samples Short cuts to the samples are created in the new Ace 400 user group during the installation The examples will be in the directory Samples under the Ace400 for VB directory Because of portability between versions of Visual basic 4 or 5 the major samples are in a VB 4 0 format but they can be perfectly used in VB 5 0 Some specific samples for Visual Basic 5 0 are also installed Refer to the readme txt file in the directory Samples for more details After a successful installation of ACE 400 you can test the native access to your AS 400 data files in Visual Basic All the samples included can be modified to further accomplish the tasks at hand EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 3 Page 19 CHAPTER 4 VB Wizard With the ACE 400 wizard for VB a developer can do the following Create a complete form with the associated fields and controls Create a nav
22. etween the AS 400 and the PC it is necessary to define the structure accessed The notion of stored procedure is used to allow the client application to access that structure PROGRAMME ET DATAQUEUES RPC DTAQ Configuration of com Qui aton e Procedure identifier e Local program or DataQueue on the AS 400 e Type Program or DataQueue e List of fields Parameter field edition EASYCOM POUR VB e List of procedures already created e List of programs ou DataQueues that have a procedure attached e Field usage mode e Type of field e Detail field definition on the AS 400 and on the PC side Chapitre 11 Page 65 PROGRAMME ET DATAQUEUES Program description Procedures can be created to access programs written in RPG COBOL CL C The only restriction is that the program does not perform any screen I O or keyboard entry Start the Easycom Stored Proc Configuration 32 bits router Easycom Stored Proc Configuration 32 bits located in the program group EASYCOM In the dialog box Stored Procedure configuration push the New Procedure button Fill up the dialog box Procedure definition Procedure as known by the the client station only e Description program description e AS 400 Progam Name complete AS 400 program name including full path lt Library gt lt Program gt e Program DataQueue
23. he procedure DTAQ_KEY is an example of access of a keyed procedure O Start Easycom Stored Proc Configuration located in the program group EASYCOM In the dialog box Stored Procedure configuration push the New Procedure button Fill up the dialog box Procedure definition Procedure Name as known by the client station only Description Dataqueue description AS 400 Progam Name Complete AS 400 name including full path of the DataQueue lt Library gt lt Program gt Program DataQueue Select DataQueue at this option Describe one by one the fields of the DataQueue By using or M buttons to add delete or modify the parameters In the description of the format of the DataQueue it is required to eneter three fields that are not part of the data but they will be used by VB for field access e TIMEOUT type String size 6 time out to read time e FILER type String size 2 future use e ORDER type String size 4 Type of operation associated with the key DataQueue KEYED e The fourth field is a key field if the DataQueue is keyed The following fields describ the data fields EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 11 Page 70 PROGRAMME ET DATAQUEUES Fill up as follows the dialog bix options Parameter field edition Field Name Virtual name of a field Field usage Unrelated information when it comes to Dat
24. igation button attached to the file Add delete fields from a preexisting project Create a grid to display data from a file Create a Master Detail grid form Manage the files accessed in a project This wizard was designed to work under Visual Basic 5 0 Users of Visual Basic 4 0 can skip to the next chapter ASSISTANT Using the Wizard Start the wizard To start using the ACE 400 wizard for VB it is recommanded to begin with an empty project for the first few trials But it is also possible to use the Wizard with a preexisting VB project Having installed ACE 400 for VB the EASYCOM wizard was added to the Add Ins menu option in Visual Basic under the name EASYCOM Wizard amp Eile Edit View Project Format Debug Run Tools Add Ins Window Help 34 350 y B d Cu Visual Data Manager Add In Manager EASYCOM wizard After selecting this option the following screen will be displayed Main Selection screen Welcores to the CAS YC OM I The vizuri oii guide you rahe Pores that natively to your ASHOD The moard eti about the fks you wark to shes on the Form T Sap this ccracninthe tubre EC mee Push the Next button to select the appropritae option EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 23 ASSISTANT Create controls 1 In a brand new form 2 In the current form 3 No controls to be created Create 1
25. inked by many Master Detail relationships or not it is necessary to start the wizard for each file On the last screen entitled Finished Click on the Finish button to Intiate the update of the code and the creation and modification of the form The application is now ready to be executed To add files or controls to a form restart the wizard EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 27 ASSISTANT Creating a project with EASYCOM Wizard for VB The structure of a project created or updated with the EASYCOM wizard for VB is simple A project generated by the EASYCOM Wizard for VB is devided in 4 parts 4 yes Easy32VBA EAC32VBA BAS 4 Module1 Module yes Module2 Module2 EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 28 ASSISTANT The parts are the following 1 One or many forms to access data 2 The added EASYCOM module EAC32VBA BAS A main module that has the function Sub Main and initiates the open file functions implemented in the following module 4 A module that contains both the function to manage connectivity and functions to manage files This module is called a Relational Module Il contains three functions EASYCOM for VB e Connection to the AS 400 e Opening files e Closing Files This module is used by the wizard to recall the selection made by the developer This module could be a common module used by multiple projects and be even
26. key greater or equal to MinValue ret EACVBRead hdl EACVBREAD FIRST Using bookmarks A specific record can be tagged with a bookmark The bookmark could be used to return and reposition the file pointer to that record immediately at any time The function EACVBGetBookmark is used to a define a bookmark on the current record The function EACVBGotoBookmark is used to reposition the file pointer to a previously defined bookmark EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 8 Page 53 CHAPTER 9 Managing transactions GESTION DES TRANSACTIONS Securing data access by using transaction control is completely supported however the files to be defined are journaled on the AS 400 beginning of a transaction is initiated by a call to the function EACVBCommit The function EACVBCommit is used to apply the modifications performed since the last EACVBCommit or EACVBRollBack The function EACVBRollBack is used to cancel the mofications made since the last EACVBCommit or EACVBRollBack Each call to EACVBCommit or EACVBRollBack terminates the current transaction and initiate a new transaction The transaction control mode is permanent and applies to all journaled files Example of steps of transaction control Les traitements A se terminent avec succ s D but Transaction 2 Etat y Traitements A valid s Les traitements chouent annulation n cessaire D but Transaction 3 Retour Etat y Traitements B annul s EASYCOM POUR VB Ch
27. lue is used to set the new values of fields Applying the modifications to the file is done by calling the function EACVBUpdate The command EACVBCancelEditis issued to exit the Edit mode Deleting records To modify a record the data access mode must be set to Edit mode by calling the function EACVBEdit Note The file must be open and accessible in write mode Deleting the current record is performed by issuing a call to the function EACVBDelete EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 8 Page 52 FONCTIONS DE MANIPULATION Filtering and accessing subset of data The following functions could be used to filter and reduce the number of records available from a file The function EACVBPutKeyValue is used to set the filtering to a specific key value to seek The function EACVBSetRange is used to set the filtering range interval applied to the file including the min value the max value or both simulataneously The functions EACVBDisableRange EACVBEnableRange are used to deactivate a range interval filter or activate a new filter temporarily Example This example illustrates using the function EACVBSetRange with a min value and a max value simultaneously In Visual Basic Dim ret As EACVBERR Dim hdi As Long ret EACVBPutKeyValue hdl KEY MinValue ret EACVBSetRange hdl 8 EACVBBOUND_LOWER ret EACVBPutKeyValue hdl KEY MaxValue ret EACVBSetRange hdl 8 EACVBBOUND_UPPER Read the record with
28. multiple applications This part reflects the list of files used and their relationships selected under the wizard To ensure a good operating system these four distinguished parts must be kept in tha applications even though the 1st and 3rd parts could be modified to meet application needs The modification of parts 1 and 3 do not interfer or prevent you from evoking the wizard to update the project Adding controls forms or files to access EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 29 ASSISTANT The main module The main module is the one that contains the procedure Sub Main When using the wizard with a new project this module is named Module On the other hand if the wizard is used with a preexisting project that contains a procedure Sub Main no other module is created and the existing Sub Main procedure is used The following instructions are added to the end of the procedure Sub Main EACVBWizardOpenTables Form1 Show 1 EACVBWizardCloseTables These instructions proceeds opening all the files updating their links to each other see Relationnel Module and even opening the main form for example Form1 In the case of a preexisting project it may be necessary to move these calls of procedures inside the Sub Main procedure EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 30 ASSISTANT The relational layout module A relational module is associated with every database Client Server a
29. n Connection is established by the function EACVBStartConnection The default parameters associated with the connection are defined in the EASYCOM INI The target AS 400 is selected by the entry location the default user Id used to connect is defined by the entry uidand pwd These three entries in the General section of EASYCOM INI file However it is possible to dynamically assign in the program the target AS 400 machine and the user Id and password by using the commands EACVBSetMachineName and EACVBSetUser These functions must be called before the function EACVBSiartConnection Disconnect In anormal utilization mode the disconnection is made automatically when the executable application is closed In a development environment closing the connection is not performed until an explicit call to close the connection is done or when closing Visual Basic In a program it may be useful to issue a disconnect request to reconnect under a different user profile or to a different AS 400 machine Disconnecting from the AS 400 causes all open files to be closed This action is performed by the function EACVBStopConnection EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 6 Page 43 CHAPTER 7 Managing Files GESTIONS DE FICHIERS Opening and closing files Before opening a file verify that the connection to the AS 400 has been established The function EACVBOpenFile is used to open a file by simply providing the name and the librar
30. ng the installation steps Prior to installing the server side of Ace 400 The user has to know the type of connection to the AS 400 e Type of connections WINAPPC Microsoft SNA Server EHNAPPC Client Access NetSoft TCP IP Sans routeur e Access at 16 or 32 bits e Default user profile e Name of the AS 400 or its IP address EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 3 Page 17 PROCEDURE D INSTALLATION Installation of ACE 400 for VB The installation is divided in seperate independent segments updating the client side on the PC setup the example programs setup the demos and the setup of the server side on the AS 400 The AS 400 server side is to be installed once only per AS 400 During the installation of the server side ACE 400 generates a temporary access key for 30 days or 100 connections When the product is purchased and the registration card is received a permananent key to the software is generated Installation If Visual Basic is running close it the run INSTALL EXE from the CD Fill up the appropriate information and follow the menu options O if the server side of the ACE 400 install is initiated fill up the information regarding this site After validation of the connection the install will transfer the server side to the AS 400 In case of a failure to complete this step the user can transfer the server side by selecting the icon from the newly created user group under Windows either Easycom S
31. nown as the install disks provided you do not modify or delete this agreement any copyright or trademark notices or any portion of the Software You shall be solely responsible for any costs or liabilities arising from any such reproduction or distribution 8 Acquisition of Full License If you have an Evaluation Version of the Software and wish to benefit from the rights set forth in sections 9 18 22 and 23 below you must obtain a serialization code which will disable the evaluation dialog prompt cycle described in section 3 above A Serialization code may be obtained in exchange for the applicable Licensee fee simply by contacting Licensors or any authorized AURA Equipements distributors the coordinates of which are set forth elow In consideration for the payment of the License fee and your agreement to abide by the terms of this agreement Licensor grants non exclusive License to use the Software and the documentation depending on i number of Client Licenses bought ii the price paid Software Development and or Software Run Time connected to a single server 26 Governing Law This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United states and all the signature of the international copyright treaties TABLE OF CONTENTS The Goal of the produkt ea 9 The Integration ape ee nn eee ee eR Rens 9 nette trn a Se a Aa UP UR RSR ee 10 The Simplicity of use dia 10 System Requiremients
32. o read the contance of the current record the developer can use the function EACVBGetFieldValue and supply either the field name or the sequence number of the field The function EACVBPutKeyValue is used to set the value of a keyed field The function EACVBPutFieldValue is used to set the value of a field prior to an update Field properties It is possible to retrieve the definition of a field by using the function EACVBGetFieldinfo One could get the local size of a field or the AS 400 size the field type on the PC or the AS 400 the heading of the field name by giving the field sequence number etc Adding record Adding a field is performed in two steps In a first step set the data access mode to be Add mode by calling the function EACVBAddNew Note the file can not be in ReadOnly mode In a second stage set the values of the fields using the function EACVBPutFieldValue The added record is inserted in the file by a call to the function EACVBUpdate Cancelling the add record operation is done by a call to a function EACVBCancelEdit EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 8 Page 51 FONCTIONS DE MANIPULATION Modifying a record To modify a record the data access mode must be set to Edit mode by calling the function EACVBEdit Note The file must be open and accessible in write mode When this function is called it locks the cureant record on the AS 400 during this operation The function EACVBPutFieldVa
33. or not All these properties are modifiable by the Wizard Each relationship is composed of The Alias name of the detail file The Alias name of the master file The name of the fields in the master file that are used in the key EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 31 ASSISTANT Code attached to the forms generated The forms generated by the wizard EASYCOM for VB contain standard components However the value of the property Tag is used to distinguish the AS 400 data controls from the standard VB controls The properties Data Source and Data Field are not used The property Tag has the following format EAC ALIAS INFO EAC is an indicator to recognize ACE 400 modified controls ALIAS is an Alias name pointing to an AS 400 file for a review of the notion of alias see the function SetAliasName This value is equivalent to the standard Data Source property INFO is the part that describes the control directly Text and Label Controls Property Tag has the following format ALIAS FIELDNAME FIELDNA ME is a the field name from the AS 400 file The value of the property Caption is set to the long heading description associated with a field So it is simple to find and recogize each field created by the wizard CheckBox Controls The property Tag has the following format EAC ALIAS FIELDNAME CHECKEDVALUE UNCKECKEDVALUE FIELDNAME is the name used to refer to the
34. orms generated The controls updated are the control of type Label Text CheckBox and RadioButton If an object of type DBGrid has an option AutoRefresh in its Tag property then an automatic refresh is done for such an object Function EACVBBufferToscreen Parameter Pform Form containing the controls to update EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 34 ASSISTANT Updating files with data entered on the form The function EACVBScreenTo Buffer updates the current record field buffers with the data contained on the form but the record is not written to the file Note For a control to get updated by this function the property tag must have been completed as indicated in the section Contance of the forms generated The controls affected are the controls of type Label Text CheckBox and RadioButton Function EACVBScreentoBuffer Param tre Pform Form containing the controls used by the update operation Remark Acontrol associated with a field that could be NULL will be stored on file as the value Managing the Navigation Buttons The procedure EACVBNavigator has for goal to simplify the file access and modifications The file access operation performed depend on which button was selected Function EACVBNavigator Parameters Navig File Navigation button Index Action to perform Actions to be performed are EACVBNAV_FIRST Read the first
35. pilav EEE These navigation buttons are directly linked to a file and they are used to perform standard file access operations Including adding deleting and modifying records on the AS 400 files These buttons are presented in a table format The property Tag of the first button contains the following value EAC ALIAS An event is automatically triggered when the navigation button is clicked to accomplish the file access operation requested EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 33 ASSISTANT Functions to automatically manage controls A project generated by the EASYCOM for VB wizard has many specific functions that use the distinct modifications applied to the created controls like the Tag Property To create those functions a project generated by the wizard contains a Reference section see the Easycom Toolkit menu option under Project References menu This EasyCom Toolkit includes the functions used to automatically manage the access to files e Updating a form with data from AS 400 files e Updating files with data entered on the form e Navigation buttons e Database Grid Updating a form with data from AS 400 files The procedure EACVBBufferToScreen updates automatically the controls with data from the current active record Note For a control to get updated by this function the property tag must have been completed as indicated in the section Contance of the f
36. pitre 11 Page 73 PROGRAMME ET DATAQUEUES The read operation is done in 3 steps Set the timeout value of the acess type ORDER and the value of the key for the function EACVBPutKeyValue Use EACVBRead to read record by key Use EACVBGetFieldValue to retrieve the fields targeted The write operation is done in 3 steps too Use EACVBAddNew Use EACVBPutFieldValue to update the value of the fields and the value of the key field Use EACVBUpdate to post the data to the dataqueue Example In Visual Basic EASYCOM POUR VB Open File Iret EACVBOpenFile DTAQ DTAQ_KEY EACVBOPEN READWRITE hdIDTAQ_KEY lret EACVBSetAliasName hdIDTAQ_KEY DTAQ KEY mydata COUCOU LES COPAINS Write data ret EACVBAddNew hdIDTAQ KEY Set the value of the fields and the key ret EACVBPutFieldValue hdIDTAQ KEY DATA mydata ret EACVBPutFieldValue hdIDTAQ KEY KEY ABC ret EACVBUpdate hdIDTAQ KEY Read a Data element Une seconde de timeout ret EACVBPutKeyValue hdIDTAQ KEY T OUT 1 Read by key ABC ret EACVBPutKeyValue hdIDTAQ KEY KEY ABC Operation key Equal ret EACVBPutKeyValue hdIDTAQ KEY OP EQ Read dataqueue ret EACVBRead hdIDTAQ KEY EACVBREAD KEYEQ 0 Retrieve results ret EACVBGetFieldValue hdlDTAQ KEY DATA OutValue Chapitre 11 Page 74 CHAPITRE 12 Frequently Asked Questions SUPPORT TECHNIQUE Verify ACE 400 installation
37. pplication solution The wizard has the task of simplifying the tasks of selecting the files used in a project by interactively choosing files and relationships These files and relationships are grouped in this module This module contains the following information The list of files used in the project and those open at the project startup The list of Master Detail relationships between files function named EACVBWizardOpenTables that proceeds both establishing the connection to the AS 400 opening all files and setting up the relationships between files A function named EACVBWizardCloseTables that proceeds closing those same files and disconnecting from the as 400 The code of this module is completely managed by the wizard So It is not recommanded to modify this module on your own Do not add additional functions to this module they could be lost All modifications in this module only will be disregarded at the next time the EASYCOM wizard is used with this project Each file is defined and determined in the following way Alias Complete name of the file format Library File Name of the handle used could be used be other modules Name of either a library or a variable containing a library name external to this module Name of either a file or a variable containing a file name external to this module File access mode Read only or Read Write mode Automated file open at the application statup
38. record EACVBNAV_PREV Read the previous record EACVBNAV_NEXT Read the next record EACVBNAV_LAST Read the last record EACVBNAV_EDIT Select the Edit record mode EACVBNAV_POST Post modifications to file EACVBNAV_INSERT Select the Add record mode EACVBNAV_DELETE Delete a record EACVBNAV_CANCEL Cancel the Edit or Add record modes EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 35 ASSISTANT e Editing a record position the record pointer on the targeted record push the button 42 modify the fields and push the button vi e Adding a record Push the button enterd the data in the appropriate fields and push the button e Deleting a record Push the button Functions associated with a grid These functions manage exclusively the operations associated with an objet DBGrid Note For a control to get updated by this function the property tag must have been completed as indicated in the section Contance of the forms generated Further the property Data Mode must be set to 1 Unbound Three functions are used to manage the access to the object DBGrid EACVBDBGridUnboundReadData EACVBDBGridUnboundGetRelativeBookmark EACVBDBGridUnboundWriteData The two first functions are used to fill up the grid they must be called by the following two events UnboundReadData and the UnboundGetRelativeBookmark associated with the DBGrid object The last function is used when the displayed records on the grid are modified It m
39. rite records to the AS 440 library EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 12 Page 78 SUPPORT TECHNIQUE EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 79 SUPPORT TECHNIQUE CHAPITRE 13 Technical Support EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 80 SUPPORT TECHNIQUE EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 81 SUPPORT TECHNIQUE Technical Support Advanced Client Easycom 400 In North and South America MIS idi In Europe and Asia EASYCOM POUR VB MIS Systems Corp 208 Third Ave North 200 Nashville TN 37201 USA Phone 615 248 0079 Fax 615 248 8079 Email support missystems com Web www missystems com MIS AURA Equipements Z A DE COURTABOEUF 10 Avenue du Qu bec BP 519 F 91946 LES ULIS CEDEX FRANCE Phone 33 1 69 07 01 45 Fax 33 1 64 46 29 06 Web WWW easycom aura com Chapitre 4 Page 82 Data Ueue ee Sc ME ee Dataqueues avec Clio Dataqueues sans Cl iii EACVBAddNew en EACVBBufferToScreen EACVBCancelEdit EACVBCloseAllFiles 000 0000100 EACVBOComnmnit eese EACVBDBGridUnboundGetRelativeBookmark EACVBDBGridUnboundReadData EACVBDBGridUnboundWriteData EACVBDefineliNk itii thee cete t Eee det nune Meuse LL EINE EACVBDisableAutoRead EACVBDisableRange
40. s and libraries in a generic way Ahandle name is automatically created and assigned to each alias This name is declared as a global variable accessible from anywhere in the project This handle name can be used directly by the developer in all file access functions The wizard does not generate any code using the handle name Read_Only This option is selected to open the file in read mode only Otherwise the file is open in Read Write mode Warning the option Read Only must not be selected if you will use the navigation buttons to edit the file AutoOpen This option indicates that the file is to be opened at the startup of the application By unchecking this option the programmer could initiate the file open command in the code when needed instead of an automated open at the start of the application for example if you like to open the file only when the file access is needed EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 25 ASSISTANT Defining a master detail relationship At this stage it is also possible to define the Master Detail relationship that govern access to the files Perform the following steps 1 Select the alias corresponding to the detail file 2 Push the set master table button a new screen will be displayed 3 On the new screen select the combo box Master Table to set the name of the alias corresponding to the master file 4 Select a key field from the d tail file and a
41. select program at this option O Describe one by one the parameters expected by the program By using the or buttons to add delete and modify parameters As a parameter could be a Data Structure all the elements must be described one by one and it must be indicated for each field whether itis a single parameter field or a first element of a data structure EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 11 Page 66 PROGRAMME ET DATAQUEUES Fill up the dialog box Parameter field edit as follows e Field Name virtual name given to a field e Field usage indicate if the value expected is an input value IN or output OUT or both IN OUT Generaly the parameters are used as IN OUT mode This field is a parameter or the 1 of a Data Structure must be unchecked only if this field is not in the first position in the list of fields making up the data structure e AS 400 format exact AS 400 field definition of the parameter expected by the program field type number of digits and number of decimals e PC format description of the PC format used to view the AS 400 data on the PC Many programs could be described with procedures and even many procedures could be described for the same program So the parameter of a program could be a variable data structure that has a variable format depending on the values of input variables in which case one could create as many description as there is formats availa
42. the fields targeted The write operation is done in 3 steps too e Use EACVBAddNew e Use EACVBPuiFieldValue to update the value of the fields e Use EACVBUpdate to post the data to the dataqueue EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 11 Page 72 PROGRAMME ET DATAQUEUES Example In Visual Basic Dim ret As EACVBERR Dim hdl As Long Open a file ret EACVBOpenFile PGM DTAQ_FIFO EACVBOPEN_READWRITE hdl Write data ret EACVBAddNew hdl ret EACVBPutFieldValue hdl DATA MyData ret EACVBUpdate hdl Read data One second timeout ret EACVBPutKeyValue hdl TIMEOUT 1 Read dataqueue ret EACVBRead hdl EACVBREAD_KEYEQ 0 Retrieve fierld ret EACVBGetFieldValue hdl DATA OutValue Keyed dataqueue access The keyed dataqueue access is identical to the access without a key except for the fact that this time the operation performed must be supplied in addition to the field value The operation performed in stored in the field ORDER in the example procedure of type string and its value is the following e EQ for a read to fetch records equal to a key e GT for a read to fetch records greater than a key e GE for a read to fetch records Greater or equal to a key e LT for a read to fetch records less then a key e LE for a read to fetch records less or equal to a key NE for a read to fetch records not equal to a key EASYCOM POUR VB Cha
43. ust be called by the event UnboundWriteData associated with the DBGrid object The calls issued to these functions in the events triggered by the object DBGrid are automatically done by the Easycom wizard EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 4 Page 36 CHAPTER 5 Using Easycom in a VB project UTILISER EASYCOM DANS UN PROJET VB Using a project generated by Easycom wizard The projects generated by the Wizard have direct access to all the functions Easycom for VB No additional changes are required Opening a new project with EASYCOM for VB Start Visual Basic 4 or 5 With VBA e Select the menu option File New project e Select the menu option File Add File Select the file EACVB4 BAS With VB5 e Choose the menu option File New project e Select Standard EXE e Choose the menu option Project Add File e Select the file EACVBA32 BAS The functions of the library EASYCOM for VB are accessible just like any other standard library Adding EASYCOM for VB to an existing project Start Visual Basic 4 or 5 and open the existing project With VBA e Choose the menu option File Add File e Choose the file EACVBA4 BAS With VB5 e Choose the menu option Project Add File e Select the file EACVBA32 BAS The functions of the library EASYCOM for VB are accessible just like any other standard library EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 5 Page 39 CHAPTER 6 Managing The Connections GESTION DES CONNEXIONS Connectio
44. y of the object This function returns a handle used by all subsequent function calls using the open file The function EACVBClose closes the AS 400 file All the open AS 400 files can be closed in one operation by issuing the command EACVBCloseAllFiles Establish a Master Detail relation It is frequently required to establish a Master Detail link between two files with a one to many relationship The function EACVBDefineLink is used to Define the links in order to setup the Master Detail relation between two files The function EACVBEnableLink is used to establish the link A read to the master file triggers an automatic read to the detail file This file access could be disabled by issuing a call to the function EACVBDisableAutoRead On the other hand reactivating the automated read of the detail file can be accomplished by a call to the function EACVBEnableAutoRead File properties The function EACVBGetFormatinfo is used to get all the attributes of the file like a record size number of fields key definition etc The function EACVBGetRecordCount retrieves the number of records in the file EASYCOM POUR VB Chapitre 7 Page 47 CHAPTER 8 Record access functions FONCTIONS DE MANIPULATION Sequential and index file access Sequential or indexed file access is done by the function EACVBRead Following the operation requested the read operation is either by key or by sequential read access Field access functions T
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