Mastering Oracle Power Objects

Description:

Oracle Power Objects, a new product from Oracle first released in 1995 as part of the Workgroup 2000 initiative, is a cross-platform development tool that greatly simplifies the development of client/server database applications. With Power Objects, you can develop applications for Windows, Windows 95, Windows NT, and the Macintosh in a remarkably short amount of time; for example, you can build a master-detail application that can add, update, and select records via a user interface -- all in 30 seconds, with no coding!

This is the first book that covers Power Objects Version 2. It's an in-depth work, aimed at developers, that provides detailed information on getting the most from the product. It looks thoroughly at the most advanced features of Power Objects, covering specific application issues such as lists, reports (using both the native report writer and the Crystal Reports product), built-in methods, moving data, implementing drag-and-drop, etc. It also focuses on the use of object-oriented principles, global functions and messaging, OCXs, debugging, and cross-platform issues. The book also includes chapters on using PL/SQL with Power Object, and ways of integrating the World Wide Web with the product. It provides a wealth of developer tips and techniques, as well as understandable explanations of the internal workings of Power Objects. The accompanying diskette contains practical and complete examples that will help you build working applications, right now.

 

Table of Contents:

Preface      xi
  I:  Overview    1
  1.  Introducing Oracle Power Objects    3
The Challenges of Client/Server Computing    3
What is Oracle Power Objects?    5
OPO Fundamentals    9
Oracle Basic    18
The Version 2 Developer Interface    27
The Order Entry System    32
  II:  OPO and Data    33
  2.  Client-Side Data Issues    35
Using Data in a Client/Server System    36
Binding Data in Oracle Power Objects    37
Counter Objects    44
Master-Detail Relationships    47
Recordsets    54
Recordset Methods    56
Shared Recordsets    63
Standalone Recordsets    63
Fetch Modes    64
  3.  Server-Side Data Issues    71
Sessions    72
Transactions    83
Transactions and Locking    89
Transactions and RowFetchMode    94
Handling Lost Updates    97
EXEC SQL    108
  4.  Moving Data    115
Migrating Databases with the Migration Tool    116
Moving Data with Drag and Drop    121
Exporting Selected Rows    125
Importing Data From a File    140
Handling Import Errors    146
Delivering Feedback    151
Enhancing the Import Process    159
  III:  Global Issues    183
  5.  Built-In Methods    185
Open Form Example    186
Update and Insert Example    195
  6.  Global Variables, Functions, and Menus    217
Basic Variable Scoping    217
User-Defined Properties and Methods    223
Communicating with Methods    227
Implementing Menus, Toolbars, and Status Lines    231
  7.  Object Classes and Libraries    249
Libraries    250
Classes    255
Subclasses    273
  IV:  Creating Real Applications    291
  8.  Lists    293
List Boxes    294
Version 2-The New CSList Object    298
List Box Classes    306
Pick Lists    315
Creating a Quantity Form    323
  9.  Reports    345
Version 2 Reporting Tool Options    346
Using Views in OPO Reports    347
Constructing a Report with the OPO Report Writer    349
Coordinating Your Report with a
QBF Form    356
Reporting with Crystal Reports Pro v5.0    360
  10.  Implementing Drag and Drop    369
Drag and Drop Architecture    369
Mouse Methods    370
Of Mice and Clicks    372
Dropping over Fixed Objects    373
Dropping over Repeaters    374
Using Drag and Drop    374
  11.  Compiling and Debugging Applications    389
Compiling Applications    390
Deployment Options    392
Finding Errors    395
Trapping Run-Time Database Errors    406
Designing for Error-Free Operation    409
  V:  OPO and Beyond    413
  12.  PL/SQL    415
Why PL/SQL?    415
What is PL/SQL?    417
PL/SQL Syntax    417
The Structure of a PL/SQL Program    419
Packages    423
OPO and PL/SQL Procedures    424
  13.  Integrating the Web    433
All You Need to Know About the Internet    434
Accessing the Web Through Power Objects    436
OPO in the Web    449
Summing Up    453
  Appendix: OPO Questions and Answers      455
  Index      473