File Explorer Example Application - 2026 R4 Released!

 ** Hot News Item **

NEW File Explorer Example App!

    Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce a New File Explorer Example application. This application utilizes the "ns_tv_master" TreeView ancestor and the "ns_lv_master" ListView from the STD Framework's 2026 R4 release ancestor classes - that perform all the low level GUI interface. These ancestor classes add much "value-added" features to the application that inherits from them. This application also demonstrates how to implement a "split bar" between the two controls.!

 

   The STD Framework version 2026 R4 was used for building this example application. So features like, for example: Logging, Debugging, Performance Monitoring, Windows Resources Tracking, Themes, Messaging, etc features are standard framework behaviours. All which are in the this example utility by default inheritance. The Run / Wait Example application demonstrates the prowess of the new "nc_run_wait_master" NVUO ancestor as well as you now have the example PowerScript code on how to engage the framework's controls & feature file handling features.

 

File Explorer Example App features ...  

• This new app is built using the latest PB 2025 R2 version build 6464
• Built from the latest STD Framework version 2026 R4 build 2026.4.0.491
• App utilizes the latest STD Framework 2026 R4 ancestors for all working app classes 
• Utilizes the new "nc_file_master" class to handle folder and file processing
• Tested the File Explorer App on W11 O/S version 26H2 build 26300.9550

  

The File Explorer Utility App in action!

 

   The File Explorer Example application is a good example of a PB App that it is all driven by the STD framework. This framework now allows the PB developer to easily build modern GUI Application interfaces that are  required / desired by most today's App users. Implementing all the "bells & whistles" just by using object inheritance. It also assists the PB Applications with interfacing to the many of the O/S's low level features with ease! Thus the framework based applications allow the PB developer to be exponentially more productive as well.

 

 

Please click here to download & enjoy the File Explorer Example application!

 

 

 Enjoy ... Chris

Webcam Capture Example Application - 2026 R4 Released!

 ** Hot News Item **

NEW Web Capture Example App!

    Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce a New Web Camera Capture example application. This application utilizes the new "wn_webcam_master" window class from the STD Framework version 2026 R4 that then embeds the PB built-in Web Browser class object inherited from the "vs_wb_master" framework class. This dynamic duo then implements the live feed and capture of your PC's WebCam into your PB Application! From there, the App User cam take a snap shot of the WebCam's current image which saves that to a PB Picture Control. From there the App can then save the image in the Web Browser to the browser's download area. The example app then allows the App User to open up the files in the download area from PB and to select the captured image for further processing.

 

   The STD Framework (free & open source) version 2026 R4 was used for building this example application. So features like, for example: Logging, Debugging, Performance Monitoring, Windows Resources Tracking, Themes, Messaging, etc features are standard framework behaviours. In which all these features are then in the this example application because of the use of framework inheritance. The WebCam Capture Example application demonstrates the prowess of the new "Web Browser" built-in PB system class, and the framework's derived ancestor from that - plus, the PowerScript code required to engage it's features.

 

Key Run / Wait Example App features ...  

• This new app is built using the latest PB 2025 R2 version build 6464.
• Implemented the entire WebCam Capture uses only pure PowerScript code!
• Supplied P-Cpde and M-Code App EXE compiles of the WebCam Capture App.
• Utilizes the latest STD Framework 2026 R4 ancestors for all working example app classes.
• Tested the WebCam Capture example App on W11 O/S version 26H2 (new) build 26300.9550.

  

An actual Live Webcam Feed & Capture test!

 

   The Webcam Capture Example application is a good example of a PB App that it is all driven by the STD framework. This framework now allows the PB developer to easily build modern GUI Application interfaces that are  required / desired by most today's App users. Implementing all the "bells & whistles" just by using object inheritance. It also assists the PB Applications with interfacing to the many O/S low level features with ease! Thus the framework based applications allow the PB developer to be exponentially more productive as well.

 

 

Please click here to download & enjoy the Webcam Capture Example application!

 

 

 Enjoy ... Chris

Run / Wait Example Application - 2026 R4 Released!

 ** Hot News Item **

NEW Run / Wait Example App!

    Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce a New Run /Wait Example application. This application utilizes the new "nc_run_wait_master" STD Framework 2026 R4 NVUO User Object that performs all the low level run, wait, process & EXE MS-Windows APIs. This ancestor then adds "value-added" features to the framework system classes. It also makes the built-in Run() command feature look primitive to this NVUO's much higher level processing features!

 

   The STD Framework version 2026 R4 was used for building this example application. So features like, for example: Logging, Debugging, Performance Monitoring, Windows Resources Tracking, Themes, Messaging, etc features are standard framework behaviours. All which are in the this example utility by default inheritance. The Run / Wait Example application demonstrates the prowess of the new "nc_run_wait_master" NVUO ancestor as well as yun now have the PowerScript code on how to engage it's features.

 

Key Run / Wait Example App features ...  

• This new app is built using the latest PB 2025 R2 version build 6464
• Can run & wait external applications using the MS-Windows "Shell" commands
• Can run & wait external applications using the MS-Windows "API" commands
• Utilizes the latest STD Framework 2026 R4 ancestors for all working app classes
• Tested the Run / Wait Example App on W11 O/S version 25H2 build 26200.9550

  

Run / Wait Example Application in Action!

 

   The Run / Wait Example application is a good example of a PB App that it is all driven by the STD framework. This framework now allows the PB developer to easily build modern GUI Application interfaces that are  required / desired by most today's App users. Implementing all the "bells & whistles" just by using object inheritance. It also assists the PB Applications with interfacing to the many O/S low level features with ease! Thus the framework based applications allow the PB developer to be exponentially more productive as well.

 

 

Please click here to download & enjoy the Run / Wait Example application!

 

 

 Enjoy ... Chris

PB Script Commenter Utility Application - (2026 R4) Released!

 ** Hot News **

STD Foundation Classes

PowerBuilder Script Commenter - Application update released! 

        Software Tool & Die Inc. today are very pleased to announce an updated  version of the Script Commenter 2026 R4 application (build 2026.4.0.91) for the Appeon PowerBuilder 2025 R2 build 6464 IDE! This latest release of the Script Commenter application is also using the STD Integrated Framework to drive this functionality...

PB 2022 R3 IDE using the Script Commenter!

  

PB 2025 R2 IDE using the Script Commenter!

          The STD Script Commenter is a significant enhancement to the way a PB developer works productivity wise by easily allowing code comments to be added to any object class in the current object painter's PowerScipt or declaration areas! The Script Commenter is based on the original basic commenter application developed by R.C. Sizer but has been totally refactored to work much more efficiently using the STD Framework's classes. This latest Commenter release includes the following new features ...

• Migrated the App code from PB2022 R3 build 3356 to PB2025 R2 build 6464
• Revised the code to work with the new PB 2025 Script Editor
• Tested on PB2022 R3 build 3356 and PB2025 R2 build 6464
• Tested in the Window, Application, Standard/Custom User Object and Function painters! 
• Tested on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9457

Mapping the Script Commenter in the PB 2022 / 2025 IDE

    The latest Script Commenter is designed to work with any Unicode version of PowerBuilder (v10.x through 2025 Rx). It can be activated within the PB IDE by creating a toolbar short-cut icon and assigning to the Commenter's EXE as follows:

app path\ScriptCommenterXXX.exe  header
  - or -
app path\ScriptCommenterXXX.exe  block
  - or -
app path\ScriptCommenterXXX.exe  inline

• where XXX = Compiled type 32M or32P
  

Watch the video  (Version 2023 R2 which is functionality  the same as 2026 R4!)

   The EXE parameter values such as header, in-line or block direct the Commenter App to read the format located in the "Comment_Block.ini" file. This INI file can customized based on the values found in the "Comment_Template.ini" file to meet the exact needs of each PowerBuilder developer!
  

    You can download the new free open source STD Script Commenter application from the STD Frameworks SourceForge project's website by clicking here and then get more productive with your PB IDE development documentation in minutes!

 
Note: The previous Script Commenter versions are in the SourceForge's Archive sub-folder.

 

 Enjoy!

Regards ... Chris

Compress/Decompress Example Application - 2026 R4 Released!

 ** Hot News Item **

NEW Compress / Decompress Example App!

    Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce a New Compress/Decompress Example application. This application utilizes the PowerBuilder 2025 R2 built-in Compressor and Extractor native Standard Visual User Objects. However, these objects now have a corresponding STD framework ancestor - "ns_compressor_master and ns_extractor" receptively. These ancestors then already add "value-added" features to the PB corresponding system classes.

 

   The STD Framework version 2026 R4 was used for building this application. So features like for example: Logging, Debugging, Performance Monitoring, Windows Resources Tracking, Themes, Messaging, etc features are standard framework behaviours now in the this example utility. The Compress / Decompress utility can work on external files or data located within a BLOB memory variable. All the while displaying progress and compression / decompression statistics.

 

Key Compress/Decompress Example App features ...  

• This new app is built using the latest PB 2026 R4 version build 6464 
• Can select the compression type: For example, Tar, Zip, Gzip, Rar, etc
• Can select the compression level: For example, Normal, High,  Fats, Best, etc
• Can add a compressed data stream or file password. 
• Utilized the STD Framework 2026 R4 ancestors for all working  app classes
• Tested the Compress/Decompress Example App on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9457 

  

Example App after an external file compression,

 

   The Compress/Decompress Example application is a good example of a PB App that it is all driven by the STD framework. This now allows the PB developer to easily build modern GUI Application interfaces that are  required / desired with all the "bells & whistles" just by changing object inheritance. The framework based app also allows the PB developer to be exponentially more productive!

 

 

Please click here to download & enjoy the Compress/Decompress Example application!

 

 

 Enjoy ... Chris

WebMap Example Application - 2026 R3 Released!

 ** Hot News Item **

NEW WebMap Example App!

    Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce a New WebMap Example application. This application utilizes the PowerBuilder 2025 R2 built-in Web Browser control to interact with not only the Web Browser itself but Google Maps.as well! This allows a PB app to pass map data requests to Google Maps and have it return a map web page. The map web page can then be interacted with to refine the GPS information and then get things like: major attractions, driving / walking information, places of interest near by, street view, tourist things to do, etc!

 

   The STD Framework version 2026 R3 was used for building this application. So features like for example: Zooming, Print Preview, Tabbed Dialogues, Ribbon Bar UI, Logging, Debugging, Themes, Multiple monitor support, automatic Dialogue centering, MS-Window notifications,  consistent message box displays, etc are already in the application by default just through inheritance!

 

Key Application features ...  

• New app build using the latest PB 2025 R2 build 6430
• Utilized the STD Framework 2026 R3 ancestors for all working  app classes
• Tested the Colour Generator on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278

  

   The WebMap Example application is a good example of a PB App that it is all driven by the STD framework. This now allows the PB developer to easily build modern GUI Application interfaces that are  required / desired with all the "bells & whistles" just by changing object inheritance. The framework based app also allows the PB developer to be exponentially more productive!

 

    To use the WebMap's Google Map feature, just click on the "Location" command button after filling the Location information data. If the location information is correct, google will then present the following (as an example):

 

Google Map interaction from a PB App

     

     The Web Map Example application once the basic map has been displayed, allows the App User to interact with Google to refine the information and view that the App User is looking for, for example:

 

 

Example of requesting Driving Directions

Street View example & much more!

      The Web Map Example application can also link to related web sites and also allow you to interact with Web Forms, for example:

 

An example of interacting with a Web Form

  

Please click here to download & enjoy the WebMap example APP!   

 

 

Enjoy ... Chris

InfoMaker Framework - 2026R3 Released!

 ** Hot News **

Updated InfoMaker Framework

of Reusable Functions

    Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are pleased to announce today an updated subset of their Integrated Framework that has been developed for the latest Appeon InfoMaker 2025 R2 release build 6430. The updated STD InfoMaker Framework is a set of reusable functions that can be used in any InfoMaker Report or Form object where expressions are used to obtain, format, validate, derive, compute, etc various values. In this release as well, all the functions have been now documented by the Visual Expert 2025 product from Novalys, as follows:

 

Visual Expert generated documentation in HTML format!

         The updated InfoMaker framework includes a library of reusable functions. These functions can perform a variety of value-added services to any InfoMaker set of Report or Form objects. The Functions are well documented internally. You can add these to your InfoMaker product by amending the IM library list to include the "STD_FC_IM_Functions.pbl" library. This will immediately give you access to all these global functions.

Step#1 - Select the Library List in the InfoMaker IDE

 

Step#2 - Add the STD InfoMaker Framework's library to your project

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

 In the near future, Software Tool & Die will also be adding more functions to this framework.

 

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

 

Enjoy!
Regards ... Chris

SQL Extract Utility Application - (2026 R3) Released!

 ** Hot News **

Updated SQL Extract version 2026 R3

for Appeon PowerBuilder 2025 R2 

 

    Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD Inc) have just released a new version of the SQL Extract utility (version 2026.3.48) 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.

 

Main App dialogue with new TabbedView & RibbonView features added!

    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 PowerBuilder & InfoMaker 2025 R2 development tools as well, as those products also utilize the same DataWindow object technology. The new features of SQLXTract v2026R3 are as follows:

• Migrated the App code to PB2025 GA to PB2025 R2 version 25.1.0.6430.
• Revised SQL extraction logic to support "on the fly" DataWindow source conversion to PB2025 R2 syntax standard
• Tested SQL Extract with SA 17 and the new "PB Demo DB V2025 R2" database
• Added support for PB 2025's new RibbonView feature
• Added support for PB 2025's new TabbedView feature
• Tested SQL Extract on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278

 

    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

Structure Generator - 2026 R3 Released!

 ** Hot News **

Updated Structure Generator Utility

    Software Tool & Die Inc (STD) are pleased to announce a new free & open source utility for automatically generating PowerBuilder structure classes from any DataWindow. This comes in handy when building Web Service, .NET Assembly, User Object, etc interfaces for encapsulated data interaction. The Structure Generator utility is designed using the latest STD Foundation Class framework version 2026vR3 and specifically works with the new PowerBuilder 2025 R2 release. It works with the WorkSpace application type but cal be migrated to a Solution type in a few minutes.

    The generator starts by introspecting any PBL (PowerBuilder Library) to build a list of DataWindow objects contained within that library. The PB developer can point the utility to any MS-Windows folder that may contain a PBL. From there, the generator displays a list of DataWindow Objects (DWO) contained in the selected PBL. Any SQL or External based DWO can be used to build a set of structures for to use in constructing a data equivalent structure object source. 

 

In this release ...

• Migrated the code from PowerBuilder 2025 GA build 3683 to PowerBuilder 2025 R2 build 6430
• Updated the STD Integrated framework to the latest release 2026 R3 build 2026.3.0.481
• Updated MS-Window "Notification" support for PB2025 R2 compliance
  
• Improved "Marquee" support via the update to STD Framework 2026R3
• Tested on MS-Windows 11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278
• The PB 2025 R2 Theme HighDPI feature is now supported.
• Can now modify the RibbonBar mode from the App's "Tools" menu
• Can now modify the TabbedView mode from the App's "Tools" menu 
• Can now swap between the RibbonBar / Menu mode from the App's "Tools" menu.

 

  

Structure Generator in action!

    For .Net based interfaces you need to build two structures. One that maps any DWO's primary buffer and a second structure that houses the first. The SG can build both structures by selecting the "generate parent structure" option on the lower left hand side of the "Structure Builder" screen. You can also request that the SG prefix your Structure Item names (ie:  "si_"). Once the DWO and structure options are selected, the "Generate" command button will allow the developer to select the target folder and Structure name where the SG will build then actual PB structure object source code.

 

Selecting the location and name to build the structure!

  For the "Tracing Options" DWO shown above, lets enter the structure name "sr_trace_options" when we select the "generate" command button. The SG will complete the building of the resulting structure(s) based on the DWO's definition. 

  

Resulting PowerBuilder Structure source code!

    Once your structure(s) source are built by the SG utility, all the PB developer needs to do to ready the structures for use is to use the RMB on any PBL and then select the "Import" popup menu option. This will now import both the source code & compile the P-Code of the imported structure into working object for use in your PB application(s)!

   

Importing the new Structure into a PBL

 

Viewing the new Structure in the Structure Painter!

    Now to complete the structure, you can edit the Structure Item "description(s)" as required to complete the object's documentation. Then save the edited Structure for your use or share the structure PBL with your fellow PB developers for their productivity.

    To download the free & open source SG 2026 R3 utility - click here!

    To download the free & open source STD 2026 R3 Framework - click here! 

Enjoy ... Chris

OCR / Imaging Example - 2026 R3 Released!

 ** Hot News Item **

Updated OCR / Imaging Example!

    Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce the updated release of both the STD Integrated Framework (2026 R3) and the the OCR / Imaging example application (version 2026.3.0.5)  that utilizes the STD framework to implement both OCR scanning and Image management! The OCR / Imaging feature inside this application is all driven by DataWindow controls and utilizes the free and open source Tesseract and ImageMagicK products for OCR and Image management!  

 

   The OCR / Imaging application is a working prototype of a real life application that was actually put into production. It emulates a "web" look & feel with controls and menus leveraging DataWindow technology. A great candidate for PowerServer Cloud apps where you want to give the App user a Web App look & feel! It allows language switching, OCR data location, Image redaction and foreground text Escapement to signify a completed redaction of payment card information. The application also demonstrates security, reporting, work queue management and drag & drop data targeting!

 

   The OCR / Imaging application is a;; driven by the STD framework which allows the PB developer to easily build any GUI Application interface that is required (desired). The framework also allows the PB developer to be  exponentially more productive! 

 

In this release ...

• Migrated the code from PowerBuilder 2025 GA build 3683 to PowerBuilder 2025 R2 build 6430
• Updated the STD Integrated framework to the latest release 2026 R3 build 2026.3.0.481
• Tested on MS-Windows 11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278

  

Bilingual Welcome Screen

 

Login dialogue utilizes Active Directory services

    Once you are past the the Login dialogue (any password is accepted in this demo app), you are presented with the main working dialogue for the application. Note that the Header band is a DataWindow that allows the application user to a) switch language, b) return to the "home" screen, c) Logout, d) View the App log (if they are an Admin User) and e) enter the App's Help information via an HTML URL. The main working menu on the left is also a DataWindow!
 

Main application working dialogue using DataWindow top & left menus

 

    The next step would be to select the "Administration" section of the left side DataWindow menu. This allows the App user to a)  Manage App users (if they are an App Admin) or b) Reassign work that is "in progress" in the assigned work queue. Note that the latter feature would be used where an App user is on vacation, sick, leaves the department, etc and there is "work in progress" that needs to be reassigned to another valid app user in order for it to be completed.

  

OCR / Image user security rights administration

    The next part could be the reporting section where privileged users and/or App Admin can get information about WIP (work in progress) by various status (completed, redacted, or reviewed). These areas (as well as the above mentioned Administration section), are just a standard PB Tab Control plus Tab Page that includes standard PB DataWindow controls to drive the show!

  

Example of Tab Page user object with DataWindow reports

    The "meat and potatoes" though of the application  is within the "Redaction" side of the left menu DataWindow. This brings into play a User Object Tab Control plus Tab Page that contains three DW's a) top main processing menu, b) right side image handling menu DW and c) a center DW that is used for displaying images, OCR, targeting, image manipulation, redaction and task completion, as follows:

   

Main image handling tab page with surrounding menu DW's!

 

    From here the App user can rotate the images, use the "Find" on the top tool bar to OCR the image to locate possible credit card information, use the right DW menu to manually target credit card information, redact and then complete & save the image back to the DBMS (of course all the time, using PB's BLOB handling commands). Note that because all the dialogues are DataWindow control based, the entire App then becomes Zoomable!

  

Image flip & rotation handling

Using OCR to locate possible credit card data within a form

  

Redacted credit card information on the image within the DW!

 

Final image redacted & saved back the the DB BLOB table.

     The STD OCR / Image PowerBuilder example application can now be downloaded from the SourceForge website. Please click here to download & enjoy the APP and the code behind that demonstrates that with PB, you can build any type of App GUI & functionality that you need! 

 

    
Enjoy ... Chris