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Thursday, March 29, 2018

New Integrated Foundation Classes (2018R2) Released!

** Hot News **

  New Integrated Foundation Classes (2018R2) Released!

 "THE" Framework for Appeon PowerBuilder & PowerServer!

(v2018.2.0.97 - March 29, 2018)

Make your PB App's exciting to your MS-Window users!
  
        Software Tool & Die Inc (STD) are very pleased to announce that they have just released a new version 2018R2 (build 2018.2.0.97) of their Integrated Foundation Class library framework for PowerBuilder 2017R2 build 1769, PowerServer 2017 Web and PowerServer 2017 Mobile build 1756!
  
     STD are also very excited as this release represents another significant enhancement to the Integrated framework that really further exemplifies the power of Appeon PowerBuilder 2017R2 development environment! The new framework combined with PB2017R2 (Revision #2 - build 1769) really positions developers to take advantage of today's Agile and DevOps methodologies. Plus it puts a complete new GUI "punch" in your Native, Web and Mobile Apps  without buying expensive add-on products.

     For a summary of the previous framework version's feature set, please follow this link - 2018R1.
  
   The following are some of the highlights of the new Integrated framework and Appeon PowerBuilder 2017R2 versions at work, as follows:
 

RESTFul Client Base Class 

RESTFul ancestor logs DWO, URL, performance & memory stats for Retrieve() method.

JSON Generator Base Class

JSON Generator can build JSON data stream from any DW Object and also records sats!


PowerServer Check on Web & Mobile

PowerServer version validation at start-up (for Web & Mobile Apps)

   The latest Integrated framework version contains the following updates and has been tested with MS-Windows 10 O/S (Creator Edition), PB 2017R2 build #1756 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 2018.2.0.96 - Major Release (2018R2) - change highlights ...
  • Migration of entire framework from PB2017R2 Build 1756 to PB2017R2 Build 1769
  • Optimized all the frameworks PBL's
  • Created POSTGreSQL Transaction object ancestor "ns_sqlca_progresql_master"
  • Added code to Clicked event of "vs_dc_list_master" to speed up sorting
  • Revised "wn_main_master" object's Open event code to account for running within a Dockable App
  • Revised "wn_main_master" object's "oe_PostOpen" event to reset visibility when used in an MDI or MDI Dockable App
         Note: Improves overall instantiation performance by 2-3x!
  • Revised "of_send_mail" method in "nc_app_controller_master" to check if running within a Mobile App
  • Revised "of_check_exe_version" method in "nc_app_controller_master" to set the PB IDE Active switch ON if running under IDE
  • Added "of_is_pb_ide_active" method to "nc_app_controller_master" object
  • Added "of_check_ps_version" method to "nc_app_controller_master" object
  • Added code the "nc_app_controller_master" object's Constructor event to log whether App is running M-code or P-code   
  • Added code the "nc_app_controller_master" object's Constructor event to to check for PowerServer version at start-up
  • Revised the Destructor event in "vs_dc_master" to check if the Object's Classification is valid before save
  • Revised the "oe_postopen" event in "wn_messagebox_master" to adjust image path if running under PB IDE vs from an EXE
  • Created ns_json_generator_master JSON Generator object ancestor.
        Note: Created new "of_generate_dw_json" function to build JSON data stream 
                  from any DW object!
  • Created ns_json_parsor_master JSON Parsor object ancestor.
  • Created ns_restful_client_master RESTful Client object ancestor.
  • Created ns_http_client_master HTTP Client object ancestor.
         Note: Created of_Retrieve() method to simplify & extend DW handling
    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

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Appeon InfoMaker - Advanced Training Video Released!

** Hot News **

InfoMaker 2017 - Advanced Training Video



       Appeon University has just released a new training video in the InfoMaker product series. The video is called "InfoMaker Training for Advanced Users" * . You can check out the InfoMaker video or the many other product learning videos at the Appeon-U website.

Enjoy!

Note: * - You will need an Appeon Website login to view the video. You can create a free login when you arrive at the Appeon website if you do not already have one.

Regards ... Chris

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Appeon Infomaker - Training Video Released!

** Hot News **

InfoMaker 2017 - Beginner Training Video


     Appeon University has just released a new training video in the InfoMaker product series. The video is called "InfoMaker Training for Beginner Users" * . You can check out the InfoMaker video or the many other product learning videos at the Appeon-U website.

Enjoy!

Note: * - You will need an Appeon Website login to view the video. You can create a free login when you arrive at the Appeon website if you do not already have one.

Regards ... Chris

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

PowerBuilder Chronology

PowerBuilder Chronology

An Historical Perspective!

PowerBuilder Release History

 Owner, Release Number, Date, Key New Feature Highlights ....
    
  • 1.0    July 1991 .... Beginning of a historic run
  • 2.0    June 1992 .... OO support, Painter Improvements
  • 3.0    May 1993 .... Bundled DB (Watcom), Version Control
  • 4.0    November 1995 .... Reporting, Data Pipeline, OLE 2.0
  • 5.0    July 1996 .... Machine code compilation, Distributed PowerBuilder, three-tier support
  • 6.0    December 1997 .... Window ActiveX, CORBA, DataWindow HTML generation, DataWindow synchronization
  • 6.5    August 1998 .... COM and Java component generators, separate Unix, Macintosh, and Unicode SKUs, internationalization via Translation Toolkit 
   
  • 7.0    October 1999 .... New IDE, new layouts and look/feel, Jaguar integration (aka EAServer) — build, create, and deploy COM and MTS components (Component Theme)
  • 8.0    June 2001 .... Web Targets, Web DataWindow (integration of PowerSite functionality into PowerBuilder) (Web Development Theme)
  • 9.0    February 2003 .... .NET phase 1: Web Services, XML, Java Server Pages
  • 10.0    July 2004 .... .NET phase 2: DataWindow .NET, Fully Unicode
  • 10.5    March 2006 .... .NET-based Web Services engine (Visual Enhancements Theme); large and small UI and core client/server enhancements, including TreeView DataWindow, RichText Edit Control (Unicode)
  • 11.0    July 2007 .... .NET phase 3: NVOs as .NET assemblies, ASP.NET Web Forms, Windows Forms (.NET Theme, Web Services Theme)
  • 11.5    September 2008 .... DataWindow enhancements, Oracle 11g and SQL Server 2008 support, improved graphing (Visual Enhancements Theme)
  • 12.0    April 2010 .... .NET phase 4: WPF applications, WPF DataWindow, improved DataWindow graphing, Visual Studio isolated shell
  • 12.5    November 2013 .... Window transparency, DW Table Blob feature, User drawn controls DW, Rich Text expressions in DW, Share Data Sources with .NET
  • 12.6    June 2014 .... oData support, 64bit Applications, Oracle 12C support and Dockable Windows 
  
  • 2017    June 2017 .... Windows 10 compliance, Cloud Licensing, Standalone Compiler, Native PDF support, and PowerServer Mobile (Universal Edition) included.
  • 2017R2    January 2018 .... Native Git/SVN Source Code interface, RESTful Web Service Client, HTTP Client, JSON Parser and JSON Generator.   (All Editions)
  • 2017R3    July 2018 (Planned) .... JSON Update, RESTFul Synchronization, Cryptography Functions, oAuth2 support, SQL Server 2017 support, and PowerServer Web* (included in Universal Edition).
          * - PowerServer license purchase required for production use


 Appeon PowerBuilder ...


I hope that you enjoyed the history lesson!

Regards ... Chris
 




Monday, February 19, 2018

New Integrated Foundation Classes (2018R1) Released!

** Hot News **

  New Integrated Foundation Classes (2018R1) Released!

 "THE" Framework for Appeon PowerBuilder & PowerServer!

(v2018.1.0.95 - February 14, 2018)
Integrated logging
        Software Tool & Die Inc (STD) are very pleased to announce that they have just released a new version 2018R1 (build 2018.1.0.95) of their Integrated Foundation Class library framework for PowerBuilder 2017R2, 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 2017R2! The new framework combined with PB2017R2 (Revision #2) 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.

     For a summary of the previous framework version's feature set, please follow this link - 2017R3.
  
   The following are some of the highlights of the new combined framework and Appeon PowerBuilder 2017R2 versions at work, as follows:
  

Floating Toolbars

 
New MDI Child & Dockable window floating Toolbars

Database Heartbeat


New Transaction Object Heartbeat feature!

Tracked Windows


New Tracked Dockable Child Windows

   The latest Integrated framework version contains the following updates and has been tested with MS-Windows 10 O/S (Creator Edition), PB 2017R2 build #1756 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 2018.1.0.95 - Major Release (2018R1) - change highlights ...
  • Migration of entire framework from PB2017MR01 to PB2017R2.
  • Added code to "fn_open_sheet_window" to track Dockable sheets
  • Added code to "fn_open_sheet_window_withparm" to track Dockable sheets
  • Moved SHBrowseForFolder 64bit API in "nc_app_controller_master" to nc_app_controller64_master object
  • Added new variable to indicate the App is an IWA application in "nc_app_controller_master".  
  • Revised code to set IWA switch & log status if in DEBUG mode in "nc_app_controller_master".
  • Added new public function "of_is_iwa_app" in "nc_app_controller_master".
  • Added new public function "of_set_dockable_mode" in "nc_app_controller_master".
  • Added new public function "of_is_dockable_app" in "nc_app_controller_master".
  • Added code to the RetrieveEnd event of "vs_dc_graph_master" to handle graph creates in PowerServer Web & Mobile.
  • Added new public function "of_get_document_windows" in "nc_app_controller_master".
  • Added new public function "of_get_tabgroup_windows" in "nc_app_controller_master".
  • Added new public function "of_get_docked_windows" in "nc_app_controller_master".
  • Added new public function "of_get_sheet_windows" in "nc_app_controller_master".
  • Removed all extraneous code. Added instance Window PTR in "wn_debug_list_master".
  • Changed code to use save Instance Window PTR in "wn_debug_list_master".
  • Added code to resize the mle_windows control in "wn_debug_list_master".
  • Added code to Loop through the tracked windows & list them in the MLE in "wn_debug_list_master".
  • Added Trace Model tab page to "wn_debug_list_master".
  • Revised the code to fix the report type if Sheet is also dockable in "wn_main_master" of_get_window_open_type method.
  • Added boolean indicator for tracking being the current Active window in "wn_main_master".
  • Added new public function "of_get_sheet_windows" in "wn_master".
  • Added code to the Activate Event to Set Active Window indicator on focus in "wn_master".
  • Added code to the DeActivate Event to  Set the Active Window boolean to false when losing focus in "wn_master".
  • Added code to Fix for PowerServer Web bug SelectText in "wn_messagebox_master".
  • Revised GUI to present better on W10 & newer O/S versions in "wn_zoom_master".
  • Added code to mark the open state as SHEET for MAIN window types being opened in "fn_open_sheet_as_document".
  • Added code to mark the open state as SHEET for MAIN window types being opened in "fn_open_sheet_docked".
  • Added code to mark the open state as SHEET for MAIN window types being opened in "fn_open_sheet_in_tabggroup".
  • Added code to mark the open state as SHEET for MAIN window types being opened in "fn_open_sheet_withparm_as_document".
  • Added code to mark the open state as SHEET for MAIN window types being opened in "fn_open_sheet_withparm_docked".
  • Added code to mark the open state as SHEET for MAIN window types being opened in "fn_open_sheet_withparm_in_tabggroup".
  • Moved 64bit code to the 64bit App Controller object class "nc_app_controller64_master" from "nc_app_controller_master".
  • Added new "ns_http_client_master" base class for the new HTTPCLIENT object class.
  • Added new "ns_json_generator_master" base class for the new JSON Generator object class.
  • Added new "ns_json_parsor_master" base class for the new JSON Parsor object class.
  • Added new "ns_restful_client_master" base class for the new RESTFul Client object class.
  • Added new "of_set_transobject" method to the "ns_ds_master" object class.
  • Added new "of_get_transobject" method to the "ns_ds_master" object class.
  • Added new variables to support "heart beat" feature    in the "ns_sqlca_master" object class.
  • Added new "oe_heart_beat" event to the "ns_sqlca_master" object class.
  • Revised the "of_Connect" and "of_disconnect" methods in "ns_sqlca_master" class for the new Heartbeat feature.
  • Added new "of_set_heartbeat_time" method to the "ns_sqlca_master" object class.
  • Added new "of_set_heartbeat" method to the "ns_sqlca_master" object class.
  • Added code to control the HeartBeat feature if active SQL is found in the SQLPreview event of "ns_sqlca_master".
  • Added Transaction Object pointer and Get/SetTransObject methods to support Parent class pointer.    
  • Revised the "oe_resize" event code in "vs_tc_master" to fix resizing issue.
  • Revised the "resize" event code in "wn_log_viewer_master" to fix resizing for Dockable windowed App .

    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

Friday, February 9, 2018

Visual Expert for SQL Server

** Hot News **

Visual Expert for SQL Server

   The official release of Visual Expert for SQL Server is now available.  It includes the same features as Visual Expert for Oracle and PowerBuilder.

  • Explore Transact SQL Code and SQL Server Schemas.
  • Run Impact Analysis and check Cross-references
  • Generate a CRUD matrix to find which code is using your SQL Server data, and how.
  • Source Code documentation
  • Code Review
  • Code Comparison
  • etc.
 


For more information - click here!

To try Visual Expert for SQL Server - click here!


Regards ... Chris

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

PowerBuilder Seminar in Italy

** Hot News **

PowerBuilder Seminar in Italy

https://www.appeon.com/products/appeon-powerbuilder.html

    Software Product Italian (SPI) Corporation will be hosting their annual seminar on March 20-21, 2018 at the Boscolo Astoria Hotel in Florence.

   Appeon CEO, Armeen Mazda, and Appeon MVP, Marco Meoni, will share with the attendees the updated PowerBuilder road-map and the technical details in the latest PowerBuilder R2 release.

  Please join SPI in Florence to have a face-to-face communication with Appeon and their local partner in Italy.

For more information ... click here!

Regards ... Chris

Thursday, February 1, 2018

PowerBuilder Seminar in Japan

** Hot News **

PowerBuilder Seminar in Japan

https://www.appeon.com/products/appeon-powerbuilder.html

Nippon Computer Systems (NCS) Corporation will host their annual PowerBuilder seminar to celebrate the release of PowerBuilder 2017 Japanese version on February 20, 2018 in Tokyo.

Appeon CEO, Armeen Mazda, will share with the attendees the updated road map for PowerBuilder including the key new features of PowerBuilder 2017 R2, released on January 31, 2018. In addition, NCS also share more PowerBuilder 2017 technical details.

For more information ... click here!

Regards ... Chris

Monday, January 22, 2018

Hands-on Look at PowerBuilder 2017 R2

** Hot News **

Hands-on Look at PowerBuilder 2017 R2

Upcoming Webcast

 
January 31, 2018 - 9:00 AM PST (SAN FRANCISCO)

    In this official Appeon Webcast, Appeon will share with you how PowerBuilder has been changed over the last 6 months, and update you on our direction.  This will be followed by a hands-on look and quick tutorial of new features in PowerBuilder 2017 R2.  Join us live to get the first-hand new features in the product and a chance to communicate with Appeon Stuff.

    Recording of the Webcast will be sent to all registrants, so we recommend you register even if you can’t attend. 

Presenters: Armeen Mazda, Chris Pollach

Register Now



Sunday, December 10, 2017

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