STD Integrated Framework - 2024R2 released!

 

 ** Hot News **

  Integrated Foundation Classes (2024R2) Released!

 "THE" Framework for PowerBuilder & PowerServer 2022 R3!

(Framework version 2024.2.0.392 - May 07, 2024)

 

        Software Tool & Die Inc (STD) are very pleased to announce that they have just released a new version of their Integrated Foundation Class library framework 2024 R2 (build 2024.2.0.392) exclusively for PowerBuilder 2022 R3 and PowerServer 2022 R3 (Cloud), and InfoMaker 2022 R3 (build 3356) - with many new features, enhancements and upgrades!

  

     STD are also very excited as this release represents another significant enhancement milestone to the Integrated framework that really further exemplifies the power of the Appeon PowerBuilder 2022 R3  development environment! The updated framework combined with the current PowerBuilder product for building Native Client, PowerClient and/or PowerServer applications, positions developers to take advantage of today's Agile and DevOps methodologies. Plus it further enhances a newer GUI "punch" in your Native and Cloud based Apps without buying expensive add-on products. Especially, since the framework is free!

     For a summary of the previous framework version's new & revised features for 2023 through 2024, please follow these links - 2023R1, 2023R2, and 2024R1. Note that the Integrated framework has now had 2 releases in 2024 thus far so that it stays leading edge and feature rich! STD also has more features planned for the Integrated framework in 2024 as well - so stay tuned!

   

   The following are some of the key highlights of the new 2024 R2 Integrated Foundation Class library for Appeon PowerBuilder 2022 R3 build 3356, as follows:

 

Marquee: Allows animation to continue while your PB App is in a wait state!

 

Radar Marquee in action!

Note: This feature includes 5 marquees that can be driven via an INI setting. The Marquee is an App that  you can modify as well to add more animated icons of your choice as well. 

 

Tip: To use the new Marquee feature in the framework, all you need to call are the two new methods: "of_start_marquee" & "of_stop_marquee".

Admin INI: A new Application that can Encrypt and Decrypt Database connection information. This application can encrypt some or all DB Transaction Object (ie: SQLCA) connection settings for advanced security. The STD Framework at runtime though can decrypt these settings just before the Transaction Object performs the DB "Connect". As soon as the DB Connect is completed, the framework will then re-encrypt the Transaction Object settings in memory to secure memory walkers from deciphering key DBMS login / runtime settings.

 

Admin INI App working example!

Debugger example encrypted SQLCA values just before Connect;

Note: At runtime the framework will automatically decrypt any Transaction Object's properties, do the real SQL Connect, then encrypt the Transaction object again for DB memory protection / security. Have a look at the STD Framework's OrderEntry Demo App's Logon window code to see how that feature is used in a real App.

 

Tip: The Admin INI and STD Framework can be changed to allow you to formulate any secret encryption key. So each PB App can have it's own unique encrypted INI / runtime Transaction Object values.

 

Statistics Viewer: New STD framework based App that can display your PB App runtime statistics during or after your PB App completes from the information gathered and logged automatically by the framework!

 

Example of OrderEntry Demo app memory stats in the new Viewer App!

Tip: More statistics capturing categories and resulting viewer displays are planned for future 2024 (and beyond) framework releases!

Dot Net Framework: System-to-System checking for this entity has now been added! 

New DotNet Sys2Sys checking & logging by the STD framework!

 

Grid DW Colour: Allows you to set the grid line colour based on the new "is_grid_colour" property. See the OrderEntry Demo App on how this works code wise by just setting the DW Control's new property.

A Grid Line example with the new property set to "Red".

 

 

Performance Monitor Upgrade: Now you can monitor any entity within the PB or within the entire MS-Windows O/S as well!

Example of monitoring .NET runtime memory

Example of monitoring SQL Server

      The latest Integrated framework version contains the following updates and has been tested with the latest MS-Windows 10 O/S (22H2 build 19045.4355, MS-Windows 11 O/S (23H2 build 22631.3527), PB 2022 R3 build 3356 and the PowerServer 2022 R3 build 2.1.0. Testing within PB Apps included Win32 (both P-code & M-code) and Win64 (P-code) executable deployments. Testing inside of PowerClient and PowerServer included both 32bit and 64bit Apps & PowerServer App/Server (Web API) deployments.

Note: All the STD framework versions are free and can be downloaded from its STD Foundation Classes project hosted on the SourceForge website. The framework, Demo Apps, etc are free are licensed under Apache 2.0 open source model.

Release 2024.2.0.392 - Major Release (2024R2) - change highlights ...  

• Migrated the framework from version 2024.1.0.374 to 2024.2.0.392 under PB 2022 R3 build 3356
  
• Removed the "of_is_native_app" method check from all classes. As of PB 2021 and higher ALL Apps are "Native"!
• Modified nc_app_controller_master class to add "of_check_cloud_version" method that checks either PowerClient and/or PowerServer runtime versions.
• Modified nc_app_controller_master add "of_check_cloud_version" method to check PowerClient / PowerServer version.
• Modified ns_ds_master to add "of_get_child" method that allows GetChild on NESTED DataWindows (not supported by PB natively).
• Modified vs_dc_list_master to add "of_set_grid_line_colour" method to change the Grid DWO's line colour.
• Modified vs_dc_master to add "of_set_grid_line_colour" message suppression when the PB App is running in "silent" mode
• Modified wn_log_viewer_master "clicked" event - Revised the Code to reset the DC's log information on no filter   
• Modified wn_response_master "Open" event -  to take into account the current Controller Window's location
• Modified mu_application_master to turn off drawing when menu is adjusted, adjust the Toolbar icons & improve drawing performance
• Modified vs_dc_master Boolean switches for scrolling & Print Preview & Rulers ON/OFF
• Modified vs_dc_master Added code to allow an expanded DDLB or DDDW to be collapsed   
• Modified vs_dc_master Revised the code to only show the rulers if requested
• Modified wn_master to add "Cancel" option to the message box dialogue
• Modified wn_messagebox_master to turn OFF debug mode to save excessive O/S memory calculations
• Modified nc_app_controller_master to add "of_start_marquee" & "of_stop_marquee methods" to control animated GIFs

         The OrderEntry example application and the Integrated Framework's Documentation has also been updated to the new Integrated Foundation class 2024R2 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 & free framework for Native PowerBuilder, PowerClient & PowerServer (Cloud) based applications!

Tip: PB 2022R3 Demo Database downloads

 

 

Special thank you...

 

Visual Expert's STD Framework Summary Analysis

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

 

 

 Enjoy!

Marquee Application

 Hot News!

PowerBuilder Marquee Application!

Can be used with or without the STD Framework!

        Software Tool & Die Inc. are very pleased today to announce a brand new version of the PowerBuilder Marquee (2024R2) application for use with any PowerBuilder, PowerClient or PowerServer application! This application will super impose an animated Marquee on top of any PB based open Window to show the application user that the application is still processing in the background even though it might look disabled!

Animated "Arrow" Marquee

    This first version has been built using PB 2022 R3 and is designed to be run in its own process. Thus, allowing the animation to continue while the PB Application is in a "wait state" within a long running process (ie: a long - loop, database activity, file I/O, etc. operations).

• Built using PB2022 R3 build 3356.
  
• Integrated into the STD Integrated Framework version 2024 R2
  
• Can be configured by its INI to display any one of 5 built-in animations.
• Can be recompiled to add any animations that the PB developer wants to use.
• Can be called from any PB App without having to use the STD Framework!
  
• Automatically centers itself & on top of, the calling Window class
  
• Can be called via PB Send() command to terminate the animation at anytime.
• Supported in the STD Framework 2024 R2 version via the new "of_start_marquee" and "of_stop_marquee" methods within the ancestor Application Controller NVUO (nc_app_controller_master).
  
• .Will run the animated marquee semi-transparently to allow the calling window to be fully viewed while the animation is in progress.
  

 

Example: "Radar" Marquee running in the STD Demo App!

Built in animated GIF's ...

• 1 = Arrows.gif
• 2 = Balls.gif
• 3 = Blocks.gif
• 4 = Radar.gif
• 5 = Velocity.gif

    Software Tool & Die have also recently updated the STD Integrated framework to handle Marquee Application automatically. You can download both the Marquee and OrderEntry Demo App for PB 2022 R3 build 3356, as follows:

Marquee:  Download  (Release Candidate)   OrderEntry:  Download  

    Enjoy ... please let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions for features that you might like in future versions!

Regards ... Chris