SCN - PB Discrimination

Discriminating Against the PowerBuilder Community

What the %$^#* is SAP's doing?

  It has been an ever frustrating set of events for the PowerBuilder Community and ever saddening state of affairs since SAP took over Sybase and transferred the News Groups and moved the PB community over to their SAP Community Network (SCN) system! I say this because the SCN moderators have consistently suppressed key & useful information about the PowerBuilder product. I say this from first hand experience and in talking with other SCN users in the PowerBuilder Developer Centre section of SCN. We have all seen our information posts delayed, dropped, and hidden.

  Most of the SCN postings that have been dropped have been about User Group events, ISUG events & news, free open source product initiatives, 3rd party products, PB community news, correct answers to questions (this one still boggles my mind), helpful hints on using PB, constructive criticism of PB features, suggestions of product improvement and many other areas of general interest to the PB community.

This suppression of PowerBuilder product information, constructive criticism, pertinent questions  on PB product direction has now reached an all time high in 2014. I am personally deeply saddened with SAP's blatant attacks on the relevant PB news items in SCN. This kind of childish behaviour reflects poorly on SAP in general.

  I personally, seem to get many postings deleted as I am about to take over the top spot in the SCN rankings. Interestingly enough, the postings that get deleted are often over 1 year old at that time. Come ON - these postings have been around for over 365 days and now they are now just being targeted because I'm getting more points than anyone else for answering relevant questions and posting newsworthy items about PB. How ridiculous SAP!

 I am sure that many of the PB Community members have also been treated in this way. If so or you agree with my observations - please write your SAP contacts, SCN, PB product people and complain about this injustice to the PB community. Only with free flowing information about the product and its ecosystem can the PB community thrive. Or is that something that SAP is trying to deliberately undermine (it sure looks like it!)?


Regards ... Chris

eLearnIt - PB Education

** Hot News **

PowerBuilder Training - New offers from eLearnIt

  eLearnIt’s entire acclaimed PowerBuilder on-demand e-Training library is now available for a longer subscription period and at a new reduced price!

Details

• 30% discount off of today’s triple course rate. ISUG Gold members will be entitled to additional discounts.
• PowerBuilder learning modules with hands on labs will now cost only $1600 for a one year unlimited access subscription.
• eLearnIT will extend a special $800 subscription offer to all developers who completed eLearnIT’s Core Fundamentals course within the last 6 months.

For more information on these great value offers, please check out the eLearnIt website!

Regards ... Chris

PB Classic Integrated Framework - V5.3.0.14 (SP3) Released!

** Hot News **

 Integrated Foundation Classes ( Service Pack #3) Released!

 "THE" PB Classic & Appeon Framework!

(Version 5.3.0.14 - July 11, 2014)

 

   Software Tool & Die Inc (STD) is very pleased to announce that they have just released an updated version (5.3.0.14) of their Integrated Foundation Class library for PowerBuilder "Classic", Appeon Web and Appeon Mobile!

   The latest version contains the following updates and has been tested with Appeon 2013R2 build 0138 using the official MR (maintenance  releases) of PowerBuilder "Classic". Testing inside of PB included Win32 (both p-code & m-code) deployments while testing inside of Appeon included Web (IE10/11 - 32 & 64bit) , latest Apple Tablet/Smart Phone and Android Tablet/Smart Phone  deployments.

   The FC's are *free* and can be downloaded (along with an updated sample Order Entry application) from the SourceForge website!


Release 5.3.0.14 change highlights ...

• Corrected RHMB script on base DataWindow control to display the pop-up menu properly at the mouse pointer location when the parent Window is of type "Response".
• Added "Centering" logic to the base CHILD window "wn_child_master" to center off the "Controller" window when active.
• Fixed a BUG in the Tab Page base ancestor "nc_tp_master" that fired the "oe_postconstructor" event twice!
• Revised the centering logic on the base RESPONSE window "wn_response_master" to optimize the behaviour.
• Added "Centering" logic to the base POPUP window "wn_popup_master" to center off the "Controller" window when active.
• Added window "registration" logic to the base CHILD window "wn_child_master" to allow the Controller to track its resources.
• Fixed the base ancestor MAIN window "wn_main_master" to correct a register/Unregister issue with the active "Controller" window.
• Fixed the base ancestor CHILD window "wn_child_master" to correct a register/Unregister issue with the active "Controller" window.
• Fixed the base ancestor POPUP window "wn_popup_master" to correct a register/Unregister issue with the active "Controller" window.
• Added "parent" object registration to all STANDARD NON-VISUAL objects via an "of_register" method!
• Fixed a formatting bug in the SQL trace of the TRANSACTION and DATASTORE base ancestor objects.
• Added default Boolean, long and Integer instance work variables to all STANDARD NON-VISUAL objects.
• Added error event logging to the web service CONNECTION object base ancestor (ns_connection_master).
• Revised PB version checking to be INI driven versus hard coded.
• Added new "PB_Version=" parameter to the base INI file & related code in the supporting classes.
• Added a new "of_is_copy" method to the base transaction object (ns_transaction_master).
• Various small performance improvements!

Futures

1)  Tune the PB, Appeon Web and Appeon Mobile single source framework.
2)  Add more PB, Web and Mobile features.
3)  Integrate Open Source tools like Spell Checking, OCR, Imaging  and more!
4) Add new GUI controls
5) Extend the IIS (Web Services) framework

6) Support multiple web browsers



  
 Note: There will be BETA release of the FC's coming soon after Appeon 7.0 beta is released that supports multiple web browsers ... Please stay tuned to this blog for more news releases!

Regards ... Chris

PB Classic Web Service Framework - V2.1.0.14 (SP1) Released!

** Hot News **

"THE" PB Classic Web Service Framework!

Version 2.1.0.14 Released (Service Pack#1)

     July 11, 2014
 

  Software Tool & Die Inc are please to announce today an updated release of their Web Service STD Foundation Classes for IIs (STD FC IIs)  version 2.0 - Service Pack#1. The updated v2.0.1.14 Web Service IIs framework version is solely targeted to helping PowerBuilder Classic developers, develop .Net based Web Services deployed to IIs. The IIs based framework takes advantage of RAD techniques - employes an MVC (Model, View, Controller) architecture for superior performance, flexibility and extendability. 

    The STD Web Service and other PB frameworks are free and can be downloaded from the STD Foundation Classes SourceForge project website.

 
      The main updates/changes included in Version #2 - Service Pack#1 to the STD Web Service FC's for IIs include ...  

• Revised PB version checking to be INI driven versus being hard coded previously.
• Added new "PB_Version=" parameter to the base INI file.
• Added a new "of_copy" method to the base transaction object (ns_transaction_master). Allows the copying the current values to a new or existing Transaction object class.
• Fixed an INI file initialization bug when the framework is migrated to a higher PB version.
• Added a new "of_is_connected" method to the base transaction object (ns_transaction_master).
• Various performance improvements.

 
    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 types
• Provides HTML generation for any data types
• Allows SMTP eMail generation / communication
• and much more!

Regards   ... Chris

Appeon Web - Multi-Browser PowerBuilder Applications

** Hot News **

Appeon Web

Multiple Web Browser Support for PowerBuilder!

All Appeon Web Uusers,

Appeon are happy to announce  that they will be launching an new Appeon Web beta version this summer with the “Multi-Browser Compatibility” as the main feature! However, they need your help to make this new feature a success!

The new multi-browser feature will empower PowerBuilder developers to easily build applications for all of the major web browsers for Windows OS including IE, Chrome, Safari and Firefox. Be one of the selected beta testers to get the opportunity to interact with Appeon engineers.

As always, your comments, suggestions and questions are very important to Appeon. As a participant, Appeon will do their best to incorporate as much as of your feedback as possible into the final release. The beta program is scheduled to start on July 28th and will last 2 months.

Simply fill out the 2-minute survey below to sign up for the beta now! You will receive an email when the program begins.

Regards ... Chris

STD Web Service Framework - Version 2.0 Released!

** Hot News **

PB Classic Web Service Framework - v2.0!

     Software Tool & Die Inc are please to announce a new release of their Web Service STD Foundation Classes for IIs (STD FC IIs) - Version 2.0. The updated v2.0 Web Service IIs framework is solely targeted to helping PowerBuilder Classic developers, develop .Net based Web Services deployed to IIs. The IIs based framework takes advantage of RAD techniques - employes an MVC (Model, View, Controller) architecture for superior performance, flexibility and extendability. 

All the STD frameworks are free and can be downloaded from its STD Foundation Classes SourceForge project 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 servicesProvides 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 SMTP eMail generation
• and much more!

    The main updates included in  Version #2 to the STD Web Service FC's for IIs include....  

• Ported the base Internet Result Set class "ns_internet_result_master" over from the Integrated framework to the IIs Web Service framework.
• Added session INI support to the framework in the BUSINESS abstract ancestor (nc_business_master).
• Added SYSTEM to System control checking (O/S, DB, & PB).
• Added resource TRACEing for SQL, print, memory, time, etc to the base ancestor DataStore (ns_ds_master).
• Added support for dynamic language setting to the IIS abstract ancestor (nc_iis_master).
• Added processor affinity support.
• Added dynamic debug switch support.
• Added full error handling to the TRANSACTION object base ancestor (ns_transaction_master).
• Added SQL tracing to the TRANSACTION object base ancestor (ns_transaction_master).
• Added "parent" object registration to all STANDARD NON-VISUAL objects via an "of_register" method!
• Fixed a formatting bug in the SQL trace of the TRANSACTION and DATASTORE base ancestor objects.
• Added default Boolean, long and Integer instance work variables to all STANDARD NON-VISUAL objects.
• Added new web service CONNECTION object base ancestor (ns_connection_master).
• Added INI file support for deployment to session handling
• Added default "WebService.INI" skeleton to the framework as a starter format for your projects.
• Added Compile DATE & Time stamps constants to the framework to trap the last "full build" information.

   The STD Web Service and other PB frameworks are free and can be downloaded from the STD Foundation Classes SourceForge project website.

Regards   ... Chris

STD Web Service Framework - Service Pack#2

** Hot News **

PB Classic Web Service Framework Update!

     Software Tool & Die Inc are please to announce the release of their updated (Service Pack #2) Web Service STD Foundation Classes for IIs (STD FC IIs). The updated Web Service IIs framework is solely targeted to helping PowerBuilder Classic developers, develop .Net based Web Services deployed to IIs. The IIs based framework takes advantage of RAD techniques - employes an MVC (Model, View, Controller) architecture for superior performance, flexibility and extendability. 

All the STD frameworks are free and can be downloaded from its STD Foundation Classes SourceForge project 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 servicesProvides 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  Service Pack #2 to the STD Web Service FC's for IIs include....  

• Ported the function 'fn_check_db_status' over from the Integrated framework to the IIs Web Service framework.
• Ported the function 'fn_copy_transaction' over from the Integrated framework to the IIs Web Service framework.
• Ported the function 'fn_dbms_get_sysdate' over from the Integrated framework to the IIs Web Service framework.
• Ported the function 'fn_iif' (Immediate IF) over from the Integrated framework to the IIs Web Service framework.
• Ported the function 'fn_get_enumerated' over from the Integrated framework to the IIs Web Service framework.
• Added new method 'of_get_virtual_path' to the nc_iis_master class to help locate where your Web service is running inside of IIS.
• Ported the 'sr_pass_data' structure over from the Integrated framework to make them the same.
• Added INI file support to the IIS Web Service framework.
• Ported the base Message object class "ns_message_master" over from the Integrated framework to the IIs Web Service framework.
• Ported thebase Error object class "ns_error_master" over from the Integrated framework to the IIs Web Service framework.
• Ported the base Dynamic Description Area object class "ns_dda_master" over from the Integrated framework to the IIs Web Service framework.
• Ported the base Dynamic Staging Area object class "ns_dsa_master" over from the Integrated framework to the IIs Web Service framework.

 The STD Web Service framework is free and can be downloaded from its STD Foundation Classes SourceForge project website.

Regards   ... Chris

PB Survey 2014

** Hot News **

PowerBuilder Worldwide Survey 2014

Tell SAP What You Want for PowerBuilder

In 2013, Novalys had several meetings with SAP Management and answered some questions they had about the short term needs of PowerBuilder Shops. Following a number of discussions between the PB community and SAP, PowerBuilder 15 beta was released.

These meetings opened a discussion about the future of PowerBuilder. With the 2014 survey, you can send SAP a snapshot of what you doing with PB today, and what your most urgent needs are.

After filling out the 2014 survey,  you will have access to the 2013 survey information and you'll learn more about:

• The architecture of current & future PB Apps (Client/Server, Web, Mobile...)
• The use of PowerBuilder versions: Who’s still using PB9/10? Who has moved to PB12.5.x?
• The most awaited developments in PB!

Have Your Say
Tell us about your PowerBuilder usage and expectations, and help guide the future of PowerBuilder.

Take the 2014 survey

Submit your answer and access the previous results!

Thank you for supporting the PB Community!  

Regards ... Chris

Integrated Foundation Classes ( Service Pack #2) - GA Released!

** Hot News **

  Integrated Foundation Classes (Update)

Service Pack #2 (SP02)

(for PowerBuilder "Classic", Appeon Web and Appeon Mobile)
 

   Software Tool & Die Inc (STD) is very pleased to announce that they have just released an updated version of their Integrated Foundation Class library today for PowerBuilder "Classic", Appeon Web and Appeon Mobile!

   The latest version contains the following updates and has been tested with Appeon 2013R2 build 0110.00 using the official MR (maintenance  releases) of PowerBuilder "Classic". Testing inside of PB included Win32 (both p-code & m-code) deployments while testing inside of Appeon included Web (IE10/11 - 32 & 64bit) , latest Apple Tablet/Smart Phone and Android Tablet/Smart Phone  deployments.

   The FC's are *free* and can be downloaded (along with an updated sample Order Entry application) from the SourceForge website!

The changes to the FC's are as follows ..... 

Release 12.1.0 Changes ... March 31, 2014  GA -  SP02

Multilingual pop-up menu support

1. Added new code to the visual OLE container's (vs_ole_master) "externalexception" event.
2. Added new code to the visual OLE container's (vs_ole_master) "error" event.
   Note: Items #1 & #2 bring the visual OLE container to be at par with its non-visual counter-part.
3. Removed old Webform and WPF code from the abstract Window classes "wn_controller_master" and "wn_main_master".
4. Corrected code in the base wn_master class that sets the Window titles on the PB application's tool bar RHMB
   Note: Original code was broken during the creation of the "integrated" framework.
5. Toolbar pop-up menu item text now translated properly into alternate languages
6. Abstract window class wn_zoom_master controls enlarged to allow easier gesture control when running on Tablets and Smartphones.
7. Error handling code improved on the DataWindow and DataStore base classes
8. Removed unnecessary duplicate object class "wn_log_viewer" from the English, French and Spanish PB Libraries
9. Added new messages to the base message DataWindow "dw_messages_e /f /s".
10. Added new "Filter" option to the "Log viewer" class (wn_log_viewer_master".
11. Unit tested all code changes with PB 12.1 build 6518, PB 12.5.1 build 4015 and Appeon 2013R2 ( Build 0110.00 - 64 bit)
12. Web Tested on IE 10 & 11 and Mobile tested on iO/s iPad4 and Android based Nexus 10 devices.
13. Application Controller changed to check the Application Object's class mappings (ie: Error, Message, SQLCA, etc)
    Note: If these mappings do not point to the STD FC's objects, mapping errors will be logged and a message displayed.
14. The Calendar base object "wn_calendar_master" now has new English, French and Spanish extensions!
15. The "wn_calendar_master" was changed to allow either a String or Structure to pass the initial date.
16. The "VGA" INI parameter and its associated code were removed from the FC's.
    (this was only used for Pocket PowerBuilder which is now deprecated).
17. Fixed a bug handling the "Debug_Mode=" INI file setting
18. Changed the Appeon INI setting in the default INI file to use the "Logging" keyword.
19. Added new code to the FC's Logging feature to also simultaneously write to the Appeon Log file if "Logging=Y" in the APPEON section of the INI file.
20. A new "oe_std_fc" event added to the Message, Transaction, Error, SQL Stage, and SQL Description base classes.
21. A new "of_get_HPos" method added to the DataWindow Control base class to allow DC's to get the amount the user has already scrolled the DW object inside the control.
22. Added new "of_log" to the "ghost" appeonextfuncs object in the "STD_FC_Appeon.pbl" to match the updated Appeon WorkArounds.pbl
    (Note: This is to ensure Appeon2013R2 compatibility).
23. The PB.NET version of the framework was officially deprecated and is no longer supported!  

 

Futures

1)  Tune the PB, Appeon Web and Appeon Mobile single source framework.
2)  Add more PB, Web and Mobile features.
3)  Integrate Open Source tools like Spell Checking, OCR, Imaging  and more!
4) Add new GUI controls
5) Extend the IIS (Web Services) framework



  
 Note: There will be another release of the FC's coming soon for Appeon 7.0 (multiple browser support) ... Please stay tuned to this blog for more news releases!

Regards ... Chris

Meet Appeon in Person!

** Hot News **

Meet Appeon Engineers at ISUG-Tech 2014 Conference

April 14-17 at the Hilton Atlanta in Atlanta, GA.
 

This is truly a wonderful opportunity for attendees of this conference. Appeon will be bringing four of the product engineers to Atlanta! They will be making the long trek over from China and are looking forward to meeting Appeon customers and PowerBuilder developers at the event.

Attending along with Appeon CEO Armeen Mazda will be:

•     Peng Wang - Product Engineering Director
•     Menghui Chen - Product Architect
•     Larry Jia - Product QA Director
•     Steven Yang - Technical Support Director

Appeon Workshop

There are also a number of pre- and post-conference workshops you can register for without having to register for the entire ISUG-Tech 2014 Conference. And the cost for Workshops is lower than the full conference.

For individuals who are interested in Appeon Workshop, please take a look at the overview video here. It will give you a taste for the workshop. The instructor for this workshop is Yakov Werde, who has been designing and delivering PowerBuilder and Web/Mobile App Development training for over 14 years.


Don’t want to miss the event!

Register for Appeon Workshop

Regards ... Chris