New Integrated Foundation Classes (2017R3) Released!

** Hot News **

  New Integrated Foundation Classes (2017R3) Released!

 "THE" Appeon PowerBuilder & PowerServer framework!

(v2017.3.0.90 - December 10, 2017)

 

New Dockable Application Style!

    Software Tool & Die Inc (STD) are very pleased to announce that they have just released a new version 2017R3 (build 2017.3.0.90) of their Integrated Foundation Class library framework for PowerBuilder 2017MR01, PowerServer 2017 Web and PowerServer 2017 Mobile!
  

     STD are also super excited as this release represents one of most significant enhancements to the Integrated framework that really exposes the power of Appeon PowerBuilder 2017! The new framework combined with PB2017 really positions developers to take advantage of today's Agile and DevOps methodologies plus put a complete new GUI "punch" in your Native, Web and Mobile Apps  without buying expensive add-on products.
  

   The following are some of the highlights of the new combined framework and Appeon PowerBuilder 2017 versions at work, as follows:
  

Application GUI

From this

To this (with two lines of framework code)

Graphs

From basic to WOW!

Menus

From plain to Amazing!

Intelligent Drag & Drop

Just like in the Visual Studio IDE!
 

and Much, Much More!

    

  The latest Integrated framework version contains the following updates and has been tested with MS-Windows 10 O/S (Creator Edition), PB 2017 build #1681 and the PowerServer 2017 (build 1689). Testing inside of PB included Win32 (both P-code & M-code) and Win64 ( P-code) deployments. Testing inside of PowerServer Web & Mobile included latest Web Browsers, latest Apple Tablet/Smart Phone and Android Tablet/Smart Phone  deployments.

Note: All the STD frameworks are free and can be downloaded from its STD Foundation Classes SourceForge project website..

Release 2017.3.0.90 - Major Release (2017R3) - change highlights ...

• Migration of entire framework from PB 2017 to PB 2017MR01.
• Changed function fn_number_to_words_cheque to fn_number_to_words.
• Added new variables for O/S version and build to nc_app_controller_master
• Revisd the code to now retrieve & include O/S build & platform number in of_check_os_version
• Changed the script to always write the App's bitness to the log in of_set_pb_environment_info
• Added SetCapture() & ReleaseCapture() declarations for better mouse control    in nc_app_controller_master
• Added of_is_64bit_os function to  nc_app_controller_master
• Created a 64bit Structure for the support of 64bit App's in of_browse_for_folder of nc_app_controller_master
• Removed deprecated code in of_write_event of nc_app_controller_master
• Created new function of_is_64bit_app in nc_app_controller_master
• Created new function of_is_64bit_processor in nc_app_controller_master
• Created new function of_check_fc_version in nc_app_controller_master
• Added ib_check_fc_version switch to check for STD Framework version at start-up in nc_app_controller_master
• Added ii_keyboardtype for PB2017 Universal compliance in vs_dc_master
• Added new variables for new PowerServer Mobile features in PB 2017 Universal in vs_em_master
• Added recognition timer variable for PB2017 Universal compliance in vs_ip_master
• Moved Hint Text support to oe_postconstructor in vs_sle_master
• Revised the code to use of_sethinttext from the AWS object vs appeonextfuncs in vs_sle_master
• Added ii_vertical variable for compatibility with PB 2017 Universal in vs_st_master
• Revised mouse pointer handling in fn_print_screen
• Created new fn_print_window global function
• Added DataStore to collect Menu activity statistics in mu_master
• Added GetMenuString() & GetMenuItemInfo() method for menu activity capture in nc_app_controller_master
• Added code to fire the RowFocusChanged if row highlighting is in effect in vs_dc_list_master
• Added the ability to show a print dialogue in in vs_dc_master
• Revised the code to print more effectively under W10 and also with Cancel dialogue in wn_master
• Added new oe_print_screen event in wn_master
• Added code to fire the "oe_preDestructor" menu event in wn_master
• Removed the "pc_icon" & "st_msg" controls as the DWO now handles this in wn_messagebox_master
• Revised default control properties for PB2017MR01 optimization vs_rte_master
• Revised to allow the TXT file to created dynamically via DWO's default primary buffer in wn_tracing_options_master
• Moved the code from the Constructor to the Post Constructor of the DC in wn_tracing_options_master
• Revised to allow the TXT file to created dynamically via DWO's default primary buffer in wn_tracing_options_master
• Revised code to mark the window as now being used as an MDI Sheet in fn_open_sheet_window
• Added code to indicate that the window was opened as a Sheet (MDI Child) in fn_open_sheet_window_withparm
• Added code to record the fact that the user clicked this enu item in mu_application_master
• Added menu and menu item pointers in mu_master
• Added new function of_set_controller_window_class to nc_app_controller_master
• Over-Rode the Ancestor to stop annoying messages in wn_log_viewer_master
• Added new of_get_document_state function in wn_main_master
• Added new of_get_tabgroup_state function in wn_main_master
• Added new of_get_docked_state function in wn_main_master
• Added new of_set_docked_state function in wn_main_master
• Added new of_set_document_state function in wn_main_master
• Added new of_set_sheet_state function in wn_main_master
• Added new of_set_tabgroup_state function in wn_main_master
• Added new of_get_sheet_open_state function in wn_main_master
• Added new of_get_window_open_type function in wn_main_master
• Added code to set the open state tracking indicator    in fn_open_sheet_as_document
• Added code to set the Document state indicator in fn_open_sheet_docked
• Added code to set the TabGroup state indicator in fn_open_sheet_in_tabggroup
• Added code to set the document state indicator in fn_open_sheet_withparm_as_document
• Added code to set the Docked state indicator in fn_open_sheet_withparm_docked
• Added code to set the Tab Group state indicator in fn_open_sheet_withparm_in_tabggroup

Debug Tracing

Debugging & tracing options increased from 21 to 130!

 
    The OrderEntry example application has also been updated to the new Integrated Foundation class framework version. You can download the example application from here. Also, check out the online "getting started" video series to accelerate your assimilation of the best framework for PowerBuilder & PowerServer!

   STD would also like to thank Novalys Corporation for their support of the Foundation Classes by supplying the VisualExpert product for the framework's documentation.


Enjoy! 

Regards ... Chris

PB / IM 2017R1 - Localized Run-times

** Hot News **

Localized run-times for PB 2017R1

 

    Appeon have now just released the Localized Run-time Files for both the PowerBuilder and InfoMaker 2017 revision #1 (PB/IM2017R1) products. This distribution of localized run-time files is targeted for use only with build 1681 of the PowerBuilder and InfoMaker products. The localized run-time files are for all the product editions though, which are: Standard, Cloud, and Universal.

        The localized run-time files are provided for French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish languages. With these localized run-time files, PowerBuilder / InfoMaker developers can now deploy applications with standard run-time dialog boxes in the local language of their Windows installation.

        You can download the localized files from the Appeon Download Portal.

Regards ... Chris

SQL Extract - Appeon PowerBuilder

** Hot News **

New SQL Extract version 17 

for Appeon PowerBuilder 2017

 

    Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD Inc) have just released a new version of the SQL Extract utility (version 17.0.0.35) that can reverse engineer Appeon PowerBuilder's proprietary SQL format known as a PBSELECT into either ANSI, PL/SQL or T-SQL format from within any DataWindow (TM) object. The new version of the SQL Extract utility was designed to allow it to forward & reverse engineer the DataWindow source code from any Unicode based PowerBuilder library. This means that DataWindow source from PowerBuilder version 10 through PB 2017 can be parsed & the SQL run-time generated from a PBSELECT - just like when your DataWindows are actually running under control of your PowerBuilder based production applications! The utility will also identify DataWindows that are not using a PBSELECT format that may be already causing performance, migration or cross-DBMS issues.

 
    The output of SQL Extract is a textual based .SQL file that can be input directly into SQL syntax analysis  products like: SQL Parser; SQL Doctor; Aqua Data Studio; DB Optimizer; etc (to name a few products) for further SQL analysis, formatting, & tuning. STD successfully tested the new version of SQL Extract with SAP's latest SQL Anywhere 17 & ASE 16 as well as the Microsoft SQLServer 2017 DBMS system. SQL Extract can also handle other DB access mechanisms, such as: OLE-DB, ADO.net, JDBC, OData. Support for the ODBC db driver is still standard, but the native db drivers are fully supported as per the Appeon PB 2017R1 product feature set. For older ASE databases, SQL Extract also supports the Open Client (SYC) native DB driver access mechanism.

    The new version of the SQL Extract utility will also work with Appeon's InfoMaker 2017 & PowerServer 2017 development tools as well, as those products also utilize DataWindow technology. The new features of SQLXTract v17 are as follows:

• Migrated the App code to PB2017R1 - version 17.0.0.1681.
• Revised SQL extraction logic to support "on the fly" DataWindow source conversion to PB2017R1 syntax
• Tested SQL Extract with SA 17 and the new "PB Demo DB V2017" database
• Removed the WinForm Target (now an obsolete PB feature)
• Added new Project for 64bit deployment
• Added support for the Informix DBMS & client
• Added oData DB client support
• Added JDBC DB client support
• Added client support for the SAP ASE v15/16 DBMS
• Added client support for the MS-SQLServer 2016/2017 DBMS
• Added client support for the Oracle 12C DBMS
• Tested SQL Extract with ASE 16 & SS 2017 DBMS

 

    The SQL Extract utility application is open source and thus royalty free to use. You can download the SQL Extract application source code from its current location on the SourceForge website.

Enjoy!

Regards ... Chris

PowerBuilder 2018

** Hot News **

PowerBuilder 2018 - Sneak Preview

      Appeon is now working hard on the new PowerBuilder 2018 release for next year. At this years fall 2017 Elevate Conference, Appeon demonstrated to the attendees the new PowerBuilder 2018 the .NET C# Compiler and new C# Web API target now integrated right inside the PowerBuilder IDE! Appeon has just released a video to the public today so that all PB Developers can have a sneak peak at this new "kool" feature. So you too ... can check out this feature coming to PB2018 next year - click here to view! - and also see PB handle the new .NET Core technology as well in stride!

      If you also missed the amazing Elevate 2017 Conference, Appeon has now published the conference materials online on their website for everyone to access. For a full exposure to what you missed at the conference or a recap of the events from the attendee's perspective, please click here!

Enjoy!

Regards ... Chris

PowerBuilder 2017 Universal Edition - MR02 released

** Hot News **

PowerBuilder 2017 - New Maintenance Release (MR02)

    Appeon have announced on October 31, 2017 that a new Maintenance Release (“MR”) #1689 for the Appeon PowerBuilder 2017 Universal Edition is available to download. This MR is targeted for PowerServer Mobile within the PB Universal Edition only and includes important bug fixes plus,  adding support for the iOS 11.x and Android 7.x operating system versions.  

Install the Maintenance Release

• PowerBuilder Standard and Cloud subscribers should skip this MR. 
• PowerBuilder Universal subscribers, if you’ve already installed the General Availability (“GA”) version, then you can directly install the new MR from the Downloads section from your User Center on the Appeon website.
• For PowerBuilder Universal subscribers, if you have not yet installed PowerServer Mobile (PB Edition), you should first download the GA version of PB2017 and then apply MR #1689 from the Downloads section in your User Center.

Update your Apps

• Make sure that you the re-deploy (full build) of your mobile apps with this latest PowerServer Mobile (PB Edition) once the MR is applied. 

Regards ... Chris

PB 2017 - Web Service PDF Generation

** Hot News **

Web Service PDF Generation

(Web Service In-A-Box)

   Software Tool & Die Inc. are pleased to announce the early release of their next Web Service "In-A-Box" series of turn key reusable components. This Web Service facilitates the generation of PDF files in the middle tier using either PB 2017 NativePDF, a 3rd party solution (ie: Amyuni) or a PostScript printer (ie: GhostScript open source) software solution.
  
  The current problem with the PowerBuilder Classic PDF implementation is that the PB application needs to quite often install & configure the external software or license 3rd party software on every PC where a PB application resides. This may also includes configuring a PostScript printer as well. A very tedious task for a few PC's, let alone when 100's or even 1,000's of PC's are concerned.

 

 

   The STD PDF Web Service negates the MS-Windows PC Client install & configuration by isolating the PDF generation software to an IIs application server. The Web Service component utilizes the frameworks PowerShell (aka Command Shell) interface to execute PDF Generation and Storage of the PDF file(s) on an accompanying Web Server. The native, web or mobile application can then make a simple URL request for the PDF file when its ready. The URL request will in turn render the PDF file within the client's local web browser.
  

   The current Web Service prototype renders the PDF file to the Web Server but, you could adapt the basic code to save the PDF file in a database table, FTP it to the client, etc just to name a few other alternatives. The PDF Web Service leverages the STD Web Service framework to enable the PDF generation. The example PB & Appeon Web/Mobile application utilizes the STD Integrated framework to call the PDF Web Service and then render the generated PDF file in the client's local web browser.

  You can download the PDF Web service, example PB & Appeon Web/Mobile client application by clicking here!

 

Enjoy ... Chris

PB/IM 2017 - MR01 Download

** Hot News** 

PowerBuilder / InfoMaker 2017

Maintenance Release #01

    Appeon has now released the first maintenance update for both PowerBuilder 2017 and InfoMaker 2017 products. If you have an active subscription to either PB2017 or IM2017 you can now download the MR01 software (build 1681) from your Appeon website login's User Center as follows:

• Proceed to the Appeon website
• Login using your Appeon login ID & password
• Proceed to the User Center
• Select Downloads tab
  
• For PowerBuilder, select the PB MR#1681 link
• For InfoMaker, select the IM MR#1681 link
  

Note: You must have either Appeon PowerBuilder 2017 Build 1666 or Appeon InfoMaker 2017 1666 already installed in order to apply MR01.


Regards ... Chris

Elevate Conference - Presentation Downloads

** Hot News **

Elevate Conference

Presentation Slides

    Appeon have now released a copy of all the presentation materials from this years Elevate 2017 PowerBuilder Conference held in Charlotte, NC, USA this past September.

     If you attended the Elevate conference, then you can access the various presentation materials as follows:

• Proceed to the Appeon website
• Login using your Appeon login ID & password
• Proceed to the User Center
• Select Conference Management
• Select My Documents

Download & Enjoy!


Regards ... Chris

STD Foundation Classes 2017R2 - Example OrderEntry Application Updated!

** Hot News **

Example OrderEntry Application Updated

STD Foundation Classes 2017R2

    The example OrderEntry application has been built utilizing both of the Software Tool & Die Inc. frameworks. The OrderEntry application has now been updated in this latest release to use the  Integrated framework 2017R2 (build 2017.2.0.76) and the Web Service framework 2017R2 (build 2017.2.0.65). It is also the first version of the OrderEntry example application built using PowerBulder 2017 IDE from Appeon.

    Utilizing the STD frameworks, the OrderEntry application demonstrates how PowerBuilder 2017 and Appeon developers can really extend the functionality of their business applications for native, cloud, web and mobile use! The example application can not only be deployed as a 32bit native, Web or Mobile App - now for the first time, also a 64bit App as well.

New Create Graph event to control series & data points!

  To download the latest example, please visit the STD Foundation home web site located in the SourceForge online community. Then select the OrderEntry application latest release from here!

Note: Please read the "ReadMe.doc" file for specific deployment information.

Enjoy!

Regards ... Chris

New Integrated Foundation Classes (2017R2) Released!

** Hot News **

  New Integrated Foundation Classes (2017R2) Released!

 "THE" PowerBuilder Classic & Appeon Framework!

(v2017.2.0.76 - July 17, 2017)

 

   Software Tool & Die Inc (STD) are very pleased to announce that they have just released a new version 2017R2 (build 2017.2.0.76) of their Integrated Foundation Class library framework for the latest Appeon PowerBuilder, Appeon Web and Appeon Mobile!

Note: This is the first release of the framework specifically for PowerBuilder 2017!

   The latest Integrated framework version contains the following updates and has been tested with MS-Windows 10 O/S (Creator Edition), PB 2017 build #1666 and the Appeon 2016 PowerServer  (build 1119). Testing inside of PB included Win32 (both P-code & M-code) and Win64 ( P-code) deployments. Testing inside of Appeon Web & Mobile included latest Web Browsers, latest Apple Tablet/Smart Phone and Android Tablet/Smart Phone  deployments.

Note: All the STD frameworks are free and can be downloaded from its STD Foundation Classes SourceForge project website.

Release 2017.2.0.76 - Major Release (2017R2) - change highlights ...

• Migration of entire Integrated framework from PB 12.6 to PB 2017.
• Added support for 64bit application processing.
• Added "AddFontResourceEx" and "RemoveFontResourceEx" font API's to nc_app_controller_master
• Added "ib_pdf_native" switch to support PB 2017's new native PDF feature to nc_app_controller_master
• Revised code in nc_app_controller_master "of_get_dbms_version" method to use INI file
• Revised code in nc_app_controller_master "of_set_pbdebug_on" method to support PB 2017
• Revised code in nc_app_controller_master "of_set_pbdebug_output_file_name" method to support PB 2017
• Revised code in nc_app_controller_master "of_set_pbdebug_delete" method to support PB 2017
• Revised code in nc_app_controller_master "of_set_pbdebug_option" method to support PB 2017
• Revised code in nc_app_controller_master "Constructor" for "expected" db version from INI file
• Revised ns_ds_master to add ib_pdf_native switch for native PDF support in PB 2017
• Revised ns_ds_master "oe_postconstructor" method to manage Native PDF Gen in PB 2017
• Added ns_ds_master "of_set_pdf_native" method to support Native PDF Gen in PB 2017
• Added ns_ds_master "of_get_pdf_native" method to support Native PDF Gen in PB 2017
• Revised ns_ds_master "RetrieveEnd" method to support Native PDF Gen in PB 2017
• Revised ns_dc_master to add ib_pdf_native switch for native PDF support in PB 2017
• Revised ns_dc_master "oe_postconstructor" method to manage Native PDF Gen in PB 2017
• Added ns_dc_master "of_set_pdf_native" method to support Native PDF Gen in PB 2017
• Added ns_dc_master "of_get_pdf_native" method to support Native PDF Gen in PB 2017
• Revised ns_dc_master "RetrieveEnd" method to support Native PDF Gen in PB 2017
• Framework documentation completely updated using the new VisualExpert 2017 product!

Actual Integrated Documentation from VE 2017

   STD would like to thank Novalys Corporation for their support of the Foundation Classes by supplying the VisualExpert product for the framework's documentation.


Please Note: This is the first version of the STD Integrated framework for PowerBuilder 2017. All future Integrated framework releases will be solely based on PowerBuilder 2017 and the Appeon product family.

Enjoy!

Regards ... Chris

Migrating to PB 2017

** Hot News **

Migrating to PowerBuilder 2017

       Please note that the recorded webinar Migrating to PowerBuilder 2017 is now available to watch on the Appeon website. Please click here to view!



Enjoy .. Chris

STD Web Service Foundation Classes (2017R2) Released!

** Hot News **

"THE" PowerBuilder Classic Web Service Framework!

(v2017.2.0.65 - July 9, 2017)

     Software Tool & Die Inc are please to announce the release of their new STD Web Service Foundation Classes for .Net/IIS (STD FC WS). The updated Web Service framework is solely targeted to helping PowerBuilder Classic developers, develop .Net based Web Services deployed to MS-IIS application servers. The Web Service based framework takes advantage of RAD techniques - employs an MVC (Model, View, Controller) architecture for superior performance, flexibility and extendability.  

Note: All the STD frameworks are free and can be downloaded from its STD Foundation Classes project located on the SourceForge website.

    The Web Service framework - while greatly improving the PB & Appeon developer's productivity - also includes these types of features to help with RAD based projects:

• Helps the PB developer to Implement "stateless" programming
• Does DBMS transaction management automatically
• Manages DataStores for you automatically
• Manages DB updates for you automatically
• Facilitates  MVC design & programming
• Provides Encryption / Decryption services
• Provides extended numerical services (ie: And / Or / Xor / Xand / etc features to PowerScript
• Provides Result Set generation for any data
• Provides HTML generation for any data
• Allows STMP eMail generation
• and much more!

    The main updates included in the STD Web Service FC's Version 2017.2.0.65 for PB 2017 & .NET / IIS include....  

• Migrated the Web Service framework from PB 12.6 to Appeon PB 2017 Universal Edition.
•     (Note: Also supports Appeon PB 2017 Cloud Edition.).
• Changed the release number in nc_ws_master.
• Various performance enhancements & alignment to .Net 4.6.
• Added Native PDF support code into the ns_ds_master. 
•     (Note: feature not yet supported in PB 2017 for Web Services).
• Added new MS-Windows API declarations into nc_master.
• Tested framework on the new W10 "Creator" edition & latest IIS.
• Revised nc_ws_master for default framework version & Workspace path. 
• Framework documentation updated using the new VisualExpert 2017 product!

Actual Web Service Framework documentation from VE 2017

   STD would like to thank Novalys Corporation for their support of the Foundation Classes by supplying the VisualExpert product for the framework's documentation.


Please Note: This the first version of the STD Web Service framework for Appeon PowerBuilder 2017. Previous versions of the Web Service framework have been preserved in the Archive folder that will work with SAP PowerBuilder 12.x versions. STD will only be updating the Web Service framework for PB 2017 & higher from this point on-wards. 

Enjoy!

Regards   ... Chris

PowerBuilder 2017 - Product Launch

** Hot News **

 PowerBuilder 2017 

Product launch

     The recorded video from Appeon's PowerBuilder 2017 product launch webinar is now online for your viewing pleasure ... click here to view.

     For more information on PowerBuilder and other Appeon products, please visit their website.

Regards ... Chris

Appeon Webcasts - PowerBuilder 2017

** Hot News **

Hands-on Look at PowerBuilder 2017

    In this official Appeon Webcast, Appeon will share with you how PowerBuilder has been changed over the last 9 months, and highlight important considerations related to switching over. This will be followed by a first hands-on look at PowerBuilder 2017 along with some quick tutorials for the most important new features. 

    The Webcast will commence at 9:00 AM PDT (San Francisco time) on June 30, 2017. Appeon will be recording the webcast and will notify all registrants when the recording is available, so please register even if you cannot attend.

Click here to register!

Migrating to PowerBuilder 2017

    In this webcast, John Strano a senior consultant with Intertech Consulting, will share with you tips and tricks for migrating a PowerBuilder 12.5 application to the new PowerBuilder 2017 release. Although this Webinar focuses on PowerBuilder 12.5, the lessons learned here should be applicable to other versions of PowerBuilder dating as far back as PowerBuilder 10. Join the Webcast - especially if you pre-ordered PowerBuilder 2017 or are planning to upgrade soon! 

   The Webcast will commence at 9:00 AM PDT (San Francisco time) on July 12, 2017. Appeon will be recording the webcast and will notify all registrants when the recording is available, so please register even if you cannot attend. 

Click here to register!



Regards ... Chris

PowerBuilder TV - Upcoming Webcasts

** Hot News **

PowerBuilder TV

Upcoming Webcasts for June, 2017

Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at 7:00 AM PST (Los Angeles) / 16H00 PM CET (Paris) Advanced Security for PowerBuilder and .NET Applications See how to modernize the security of PB and .NET applications Authenticate users with their Windows account (Integration with Active Directory) Single Sign-On (SSO): run the application without prompting for a user's credentials Centralize security among several technologies (PB, .NET, Java, etc.) Auditing : keep track of users and administrators operations Secure SaaS and multi-tenant applications Delegate the daily security administration to Clients, or Business Managers  Register    Learn More

Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 7:00 AM PST (Los Angeles) / 16H00 PM CET (Paris) Analyze PowerBuilder, Oracle & SQL Server Code How to simplify the maintenance or modernization of you code: Find where a column, a variable, a function is used in your code Generate a CRUD matrix - which objects query which table Compare several versions of your code Understand complex chains of calls Generate a documentation of PowerBuilder and Database code Find dependencies with dlls, and prepare a 64 bits migration Find unused or duplicate objects, code causing poor performances...  Register    Learn More

Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 8:00 AM PST (Los Angeles) / 17H00 PM CET (Paris) Appeon and Web Service Integration Hands-on approach on how to consume a Web Service in Appeon. The contribution can show how to create in PB Classic a Web Service that connects to a datasource and manipulate data. Then the Appeon application retrieves the results either from code and the built-in WS datawindow feature. Presenter: Marco Meoni, Appeon Expert  Register

Missed previous webcasts? Login PBTV to view them whenever you might have a few minutes A Modern Look for your PowerBuilder Application Presentation Components for PowerBuilder mobile Apps using Dw-eXtreme   Appeon Web – A Look Under the Hood And much more...