Visual FoxPro™ Seminar Presented by Jim Booth Email: [email protected] In cooperation with Rainer Becker and the German FoxPro User’s Group (dFPUG)

Visual FoxPro™ Seminar

Presented byPresented by

Jim BoothJim BoothEmail: [email protected]: [email protected]

In cooperation with Rainer Becker and the In cooperation with Rainer Becker and the German FoxPro User’s Group (dFPUG)German FoxPro User’s Group (dFPUG)

Visual FoxPro 6.0Visual FoxPro 6.0SeminarSeminar


General Issues Related to General Issues Related to DevelopmentDevelopment

Understanding the costsUnderstanding the costs Lowering the costsLowering the costs

The Value of Conventions and The Value of Conventions and StandardsStandards

The Value of Object Oriented The Value of Object Oriented DesignDesign

The Development CycleThe Development Cycle Managing RisksManaging Risks


Database DesignDatabase Design

Characteristics of a “Relational Characteristics of a “Relational Database Management System”Database Management System”

Normalization of Data DesignNormalization of Data Design


NormalizationNormalization


Why bother with Why bother with NormalizationNormalization

Reduce the possibility of data Reduce the possibility of data inconsistenciesinconsistencies

Reduce the space required for Reduce the space required for storing datastoring data

Reduce possible update and Reduce possible update and delete anomaliesdelete anomalies

Increase the stability of the data Increase the stability of the data designdesign


First Normal FormFirst Normal Form

Reduce entities to firstReduce entities to first normal form (1NF) by normal form (1NF) by removing repeating or removing repeating or multi-valued attributes multi-valued attributes to another, child, entity.to another, child, entity.


First Customer PassFirst Customer Pass

Customer #

Customers

Company NameAddressContact 1Contact 2Phone 1Phone 2


Company NameAddressContact 1Contact 2Phone 1Phone 2

Removing the Removing the

Repeating GroupsRepeating Groups Contacts

Phones

Customer #Contact #

NameAddressPhone Code

Customer #Phone Code

Area CodePhone Number

Customer #

Customers


2nd Normal Form2nd Normal Form

Reduce 1NF entities to second normal form (2NF) by removing attributes that are not dependent on the whole primary key.


Invoice Line Item FileInvoice Line Item File

Invoice NumberInvoice Number

Line NumberLine Number

Customer IDCustomer ID

Product IDProduct ID


Remove the Non-Remove the Non-Dependent FieldsDependent Fields

Customer ID

Line Item

Invoice


3rd Normal Form3rd Normal Form

Reduce 2NF entities to third normal form (3NF) by removing attributes that depend on other, non-key attributes (other than alternate keys).


Purchase OrderPurchase Order

Order NumberOrder Number

Vendor IDVendor ID

Vendor CityVendor City


Purchase Order

Vendor

Remove Fields Remove Fields Depending on Non-key Depending on Non-key

attributesattributes

Vendor City


Boyce/Codd Normal Boyce/Codd Normal FormForm

Reduce 3NF entities to Boyce/Codd normal form (BCNF) by ensuring that they are in 3NF for any feasible choice of candidate key as primary key.


EmpId

Employee Number

Clock Number

An Employee TableAn Employee Table


EmpId

Employee Number

Clock Number



EmpId

Employee Number

Clock Number



Fourth Normal FormFourth Normal Form

Reduce BCNF entities to Fourth normal form (4NF) by removing any independently multi-valued components of the primary key to two new parent entities.


Employee - Skill - Objective Employee - Skill - Objective TableTable

NameSkill - NameObjective - Text

Jones accounting more money

Jones accounting prestige

Jones public speaking more money

Jones public speaking prestige


Fourth Normal FormFourth Normal Form

Name

Skill - Name

Employee - Skill

Name

Objective - Text

Employee - Objective


Fifth Normal FormFifth Normal Form

Reduce 4NF entities to fifth normal form (5NF) by removing pair-wise cyclic dependencies (appearing within composite primary keys with three or more component attributes) to three or more new parent entities.


Mary Jordache JeansMary Jordache SneakersSally Jordache JeansMary Liz Claiborne BlousesSally Liz Claiborne Blouses

BuyerVendorProduct

BuyingSuppose Liz Claiborne adds jeans totheir list of products. We need to addtwo updates to our table because bothMary and Sally buy jeans and buy fromLiz Claiborne.

Retail Store BuyersRetail Store Buyers


Fifth Normal FormFifth Normal Form

BuyerVendor

Buy-Vend

Vendor

Vend-Prod

BuyerProduct

Buy-Prod

Product


DenormalizationDenormalization

NameAddressCityCountry

Postal Code

Denormalized

Postal CodeCityCountry

Postal Code

NormalizedName

Address

Postal Code


Want to read more?Want to read more?

Handbook of Relational Database DesignCandace C. Fleming and Barbara von Halle

Addison-Wesley Publishing CompanyISBN: 0-201-11434-8

Relational DatabaseSelected Writings

C. J. DateAddison-Wesley Publishing Company

ISBN: 0-201-14196-5


Visual FoxPro Database Visual FoxPro Database ContainerContainer

Data dictionaryData dictionary RelationshipsRelationships Field level domains (Field Rule)Field level domains (Field Rule) Table level domains (Table Rule)Table level domains (Table Rule) Referential IntegrityReferential Integrity Stored ProceduresStored Procedures DbGetProp() and DbSetProp()DbGetProp() and DbSetProp()


View DesignerView Designer

UpdateableUpdateable The Update Tab in the view The Update Tab in the view

designerdesigner

JoinsJoins InnerInner OuterOuter

Left, Right, and FullLeft, Right, and Full

Top NTop N


Using SQL in the Visual Using SQL in the Visual FoxPro LanguageFoxPro Language

Why use SQL at all?Why use SQL at all? The SQL Commands in Visual The SQL Commands in Visual

FoxProFoxPro SELECTSELECT UPDATEUPDATE DELETEDELETE CREATECREATE INSERT INTOINSERT INTO


Designing User Designing User InterfacesInterfaces


The User Is The User Is In ControlIn Control

Principle 1Principle 1



Follow The Follow The Object-Action Object-Action

ParadigmParadigm


Be ConsistentBe Consistent



Make ThingsMake ThingsSelf EvidentSelf Evident



Pay Attention To Pay Attention To AestheticsAesthetics



Give The User Give The User FeedbackFeedback



Be ForgivingBe Forgiving



Object Oriented Object Oriented DevelopmentDevelopment


OO TerminologyOO Terminology

ClassClass ObjectObject AbstractionAbstraction PolymorphismPolymorphism InheritanceInheritance MessagingMessaging ContainershipContainership


Analysis and Design in an Analysis and Design in an OO worldOO world

The Iterative ApproachThe Iterative Approach InceptionInception ElaborationElaboration ConstructionConstruction

Analysis, Design, Coding, Analysis, Design, Coding, Testing, Implementation, Testing, Implementation, Training, Maintenance/EvolutionTraining, Maintenance/Evolution

TransitionTransition


Analysis and Design in an Analysis and Design in an OO worldOO world

There is a constant looping back in There is a constant looping back in this OO development cycle.this OO development cycle.

New requirements discovered New requirements discovered during coding or implementation during coding or implementation feed back into the design phase.feed back into the design phase.

New functional requirements New functional requirements discovered alter future iterationsdiscovered alter future iterations


The Visual FoxPro Class The Visual FoxPro Class DesignerDesigner

Save As Class menu optionSave As Class menu option Adding properties and methods Adding properties and methods

to a classto a class Specifying an Include file for a Specifying an Include file for a

classclass Creating subclassesCreating subclasses Adding controls to the form Adding controls to the form

designer’s toolbar from your designer’s toolbar from your ClassesClasses


The Application FrameworkThe Application Framework

What is a framework?What is a framework? The overview of the architecture The overview of the architecture

of the frameworkof the framework Strategies for maximizing Strategies for maximizing

maintainabilitymaintainability


The Framework In DetailThe Framework In Detail

The Application ManagerThe Application Manager The form classThe form class The startup programThe startup program Building an application using the Building an application using the

frameworkframework The formThe form The MenuThe Menu Enhancing your frameworkEnhancing your framework


Form and Class DesignForm and Class Design

Coding methods in a reusable Coding methods in a reusable wayway

Using THISFORM, THIS, and the Using THISFORM, THIS, and the Parent propertyParent property

Using WITH/ENDWITHUsing WITH/ENDWITH Using collections to address the Using collections to address the

contents of a containercontents of a container


Simple Base ClassesSimple Base Classes

Label, Textbox, EditBox, CheckBox,Label, Textbox, EditBox, CheckBox,

Option Button, Option GroupOption Button, Option Group

Command Button, Command GroupCommand Button, Command Group

Spinner, Image, Line, Shape, TimerSpinner, Image, Line, Shape, Timer

Container, and SeparatorContainer, and Separator


Complex Base ClassesComplex Base Classes

ComboBox, ListBox, and GridsComboBox, ListBox, and Grids

PageFrames PageFrames

Custom, Container, and ControlCustom, Container, and Control

Form, Formset, and ToolbarForm, Formset, and Toolbar


Using BuildersUsing Builders

The Visual Foxpro BuildersThe Visual Foxpro Builders Make it easier to setup the complex Make it easier to setup the complex

controlscontrols

Building your own buildersBuilding your own builders Builder.dbf and Builder.appBuilder.dbf and Builder.app ASELOBJ()ASELOBJ() Using the special Builder property Using the special Builder property

of a classof a class


OLE Base ClassesOLE Base Classes

OLEBoundControlOLEBoundControl Bound to a General Field in a DBF Bound to a General Field in a DBF

filefile

OLEControlOLEControl Predefined contents at design time.Predefined contents at design time.


ActiveX AutomationActiveX Automation

Structure of ActiveXStructure of ActiveX Direct Manipulation of an Direct Manipulation of an

ActiveX serverActiveX server Automation of an Object Inside Automation of an Object Inside

of an OLEControlof an OLEControl


Multi-user IssuesMulti-user Issues

What is the multi-user problem?What is the multi-user problem? Two strategies (Philosophies)Two strategies (Philosophies)

OptimisticOptimistic It is unlikely that there will be a It is unlikely that there will be a

problem when I try to save.problem when I try to save. PessimisticPessimistic

It is very likely there will be a It is very likely there will be a problem when I try to save.problem when I try to save.


Data BufferingData Buffering

How did we do this before?How did we do this before? What’s new and different now?What’s new and different now? Row versus Table bufferingRow versus Table buffering Pessimistic versus Optimistic Pessimistic versus Optimistic

bufferingbuffering Choosing the correct buffering Choosing the correct buffering

modemode


Setting the Buffering ModeSetting the Buffering Mode

CursorSetProp() (CursorGetProp())CursorSetProp() (CursorGetProp())Using a Cursor’s Using a Cursor’s

BufferModeOverride propertyBufferModeOverride property


Saving Buffered EditsSaving Buffered Edits

TableUpdate()TableUpdate() TableRevert()TableRevert() GetFldState()GetFldState() GetNextModified()GetNextModified()


Transaction ProcessingTransaction Processing

The all or none approachThe all or none approach

BEGIN TRANSACTION, END TRANSACTION, and BEGIN TRANSACTION, END TRANSACTION, and ROLLBACKROLLBACK

Resolving conflicts using CURVAL() and Resolving conflicts using CURVAL() and OLDVAL()OLDVAL()


Client/Server - Is It For Client/Server - Is It For You?You?

When does Client/Server make When does Client/Server make sense?sense? SecuritySecurity ScalabilityScalability Central Control of DataCentral Control of Data


Remote Data SourcesRemote Data Sources

Setting up data sources under Setting up data sources under Windows (95, NT,98)Windows (95, NT,98)

Connections in Visual FoxProConnections in Visual FoxPro Using Remote ViewsUsing Remote Views Using SQL Passthrough Using SQL Passthrough

functionsfunctions


Designing Client/Server Designing Client/Server ApplicationsApplications

User Interface DesignUser Interface Design No more BROWSE of the customer No more BROWSE of the customer

tabletable

Awareness that your code does Awareness that your code does not have absolute control over not have absolute control over the data updates.the data updates.


Using Visual FoxPro to Using Visual FoxPro to Create an ActiveX ServerCreate an ActiveX Server

OLEPublic classesOLEPublic classes Designing the ServerDesigning the Server


Creating Your Own ActiveX Creating Your Own ActiveX Automation ServersAutomation Servers

In-Process versus Out of In-Process versus Out of process serversprocess servers DLL versus EXEDLL versus EXE

Compiling the serverCompiling the server Registering the serverRegistering the server Using the serverUsing the server


The Visual FoxPro DebuggerThe Visual FoxPro Debugger

The debugger as a developer’s The debugger as a developer’s tooltool

Choosing a FoxPro frame or the Choosing a FoxPro frame or the debugger framedebugger frame

Saving and restoring debugger Saving and restoring debugger settingssettings

Hot Keys in the debuggerHot Keys in the debugger


The Debugger WindowsThe Debugger Windows

TraceTrace WatchWatch LocalsLocals Call StackCall Stack OutputOutput

SET DEBUGOUT TOSET DEBUGOUT TO Event TrackingEvent Tracking Setting BreakpointsSetting Breakpoints


Coverage Analysis/ Coverage Analysis/ Application profilingApplication profiling

SET COVERAGE TO <FileName>SET COVERAGE TO <FileName> Turning coverage on and offTurning coverage on and off Using the Coverage ProfilerUsing the Coverage Profiler


Using AssertionsUsing Assertions

The ASSERT commandThe ASSERT command SET ASSERTS ON/OFFSET ASSERTS ON/OFF


Using The DebugOut Using The DebugOut CommandCommand

Does not mess up your Does not mess up your application screenapplication screen

Does not introduce extra window Does not introduce extra window focus events to your applicationfocus events to your application


Visual FoxPro and the Visual FoxPro and the InternetInternet

What is HTML?What is HTML? How does the Internet work?How does the Internet work? The Internet Search WizardThe Internet Search Wizard Accessing the search wizard Accessing the search wizard

pagepage The Web Publishing WizardThe Web Publishing Wizard


Advanced Class Design Advanced Class Design ConceptsConcepts

Inheritance HierarchyInheritance Hierarchy The is-a relationshipThe is-a relationship

Containership HierarchyContainership Hierarchy The has-a relationshipThe has-a relationship

Design PatternsDesign Patterns


Accessing the Windows Accessing the Windows API from Visual FoxProAPI from Visual FoxPro

What is the API?What is the API? DECLARE commandDECLARE command Calling an API functionCalling an API function

Documents

Visual FoxPro™ Seminar Presented by Jim Booth Email: [email protected] In cooperation with Rainer Becker and the German FoxPro User’s Group (dFPUG)