Week 4 February 15

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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Week 4Week 4February 15February 15

• LOV: List of ValuesLOV: List of Values• Dealing with Errors and ProblemsDealing with Errors and Problems

• OLE: Object Linking and EmbeddingOLE: Object Linking and Embedding

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Working with Multiple Canvases Working with Multiple Canvases and Data Blocksand Data Blocks

WindowWindow

Master Data BlockMaster Data Block

Tab canvasTab canvas

Content canvasContent canvas

ItemsItems

Detail Data BlockDetail Data Block

ItemsItems

MenuMenu MenuMenuLOVLOV

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Tab CanvasTab Canvas

Data blockData block

Data blockData block

User enters a codeUser enters a code

How many users will remember all the codes?How many users will remember all the codes?How many users will remember all the codes?How many users will remember all the codes?

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LOV (list of values)LOV (list of values)

Code transferred into boxCode transferred into box

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Principles of DesignPrinciples of Design

A form or reports should...A form or reports should...

• CommunicateCommunicate information to the user information to the user

• Be Be flexibleflexible to adapt to different needs, levels of to adapt to different needs, levels of experience and knowledge of the intended userexperience and knowledge of the intended user

• Be Be simplesimple, and no simpler, and no simpler

• PerformPerform to match the flow and speed of the user to match the flow and speed of the user

• Provide assistanceProvide assistance to its users through feedback and the to its users through feedback and the ability to undo errorsability to undo errors

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FlexibilityFlexibility

• FlexibilityFlexibility: The degree to which users can adapt the : The degree to which users can adapt the application to their intended useapplication to their intended use

– Provide different paths for different levels of Provide different paths for different levels of experienceexperience

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SimplicitySimplicity

• Hide levels of complexity

• Simplify the common tasks

• Limit the number of interface elements

• Make interface element consistent and cohesive

– Frequency, sequence, importance and function

• Minimize redundancy and complexity of paths

• Use standards to guide users

• Automate data entry to improve reliabilityAutomate data entry to improve reliability

– Default values, Default values, list of valueslist of values, , triggerstriggers

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Sequence of Events...Sequence of Events...

• Create the content canvasCreate the content canvas

– Add the master data blockAdd the master data block

– Program the triggersProgram the triggers

• Create the tab canvasCreate the tab canvas

– Add the detail data blockAdd the detail data block

• Create and attach the LOV (list of values)Create and attach the LOV (list of values)

• Menu added through inheritance (i.e., call_form)Menu added through inheritance (i.e., call_form)

• Fine tune the form moduleFine tune the form module

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LOV: List of ValuesLOV: List of Values

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List of Values (LOV)List of Values (LOV)

• Used to authenticate or automate the selection of values Used to authenticate or automate the selection of values from a listfrom a list

• Returns Returns valuesvalues to other items (e.g., data block item) to other items (e.g., data block item)

• Modal (popup) windowModal (popup) window

• Search function Search function

– Handle large listsHandle large lists

• Can be filled by a query Can be filled by a query (dynamic list) or a static list(dynamic list) or a static list

LOVLOV

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LOV and Record GroupsLOV and Record Groups

LOVLOV

Record Record GroupGroupDefineDefine

ValuesValues

Manufacturer NameManufacturer NameManufacturer codeManufacturer code

Values

Values

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Creating an LOVCreating an LOV

• Create the LOV through the Create the LOV through the LOV WizardLOV Wizard

– Build the SQL query that creates the listBuild the SQL query that creates the list

– Select and assign the Select and assign the return valuereturn value to the data block to the data block itemitem

• Assign the LOV to the data blockAssign the LOV to the data block

• Program a trigger that will display the LOVProgram a trigger that will display the LOV

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Creating an LOVCreating an LOV

CreateCreate In the In the Object NavigatorObject Navigator, select , select LOVsLOVs

Click on Click on CreateCreate in the tool palette in the tool palette

Select the Select the LOV WizardLOV Wizard

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Enter the Enter the queryquery

Check your SQL syntaxCheck your SQL syntax

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Specify the columns for the LOVSpecify the columns for the LOV

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Specify the Specify the ReturnReturn Value Value

manufacturers.manufacturer_codemanufacturers.manufacturer_codemanufacturers.manufacturer_codemanufacturers.manufacturer_code

Prevents the column from Prevents the column from appearingappearing in the LOV in the LOV

Enter the return Enter the return valuevalue for the data block for the data block

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Assign the Return Item for the Data BlockAssign the Return Item for the Data Block

Assign the column to returnAssign the column to return

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Object NavigatorObject Navigator

LOV will have a record group associated with itLOV will have a record group associated with it

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Record GroupRecord Group

Edit the query through Edit the query through the record group’s the record group’s property paletteproperty palette

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Assign the LOV to the Data BlockAssign the LOV to the Data Block

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Assign the LOV to the Data BlockAssign the LOV to the Data Block

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Program the TriggerProgram the Trigger

Displays the LOVDisplays the LOV

Executes the query when the Executes the query when the OKOK button is pressed button is pressed

An alternative to using <F9>An alternative to using <F9>An alternative to using <F9>An alternative to using <F9>

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The user can either The user can either double-click or double-click or press <F9> to press <F9> to launch the LOVlaunch the LOV

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Dealing with Errors and ProblemsDealing with Errors and Problems

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Launching a QueryLaunching a Query

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Ending a Form Without Entering a QueryEnding a Form Without Entering a Query

FRM-40353 ErrorFRM-40353 Error

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Attempting a Query While Not in Query ModeAttempting a Query While Not in Query Mode

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FRM-40301 ErrorFRM-40301 Error

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Overcoming Problems with TriggersOvercoming Problems with Triggers

• Maximize the MDI and form module windowsMaximize the MDI and form module windows

• Enter query mode when the form is launchedEnter query mode when the form is launched

• Re-enter query mode after every queryRe-enter query mode after every query

• Cancel the query if no query is entered when exiting the Cancel the query if no query is entered when exiting the formform

• Suppress system alerts and messagesSuppress system alerts and messages

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Add and program the Add and program the WHEN-NEW-FORM-INSTANCEWHEN-NEW-FORM-INSTANCE and and WHEN-NEW-RECORD-INSTANCEWHEN-NEW-RECORD-INSTANCE triggerstriggers

Add and program the Add and program the WHEN-MOUSE-CLICKWHEN-MOUSE-CLICK trigger trigger

Note: This was taken from another form moduleNote: This was taken from another form module

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Local variables needed to capture the Local variables needed to capture the error code and launch the alerterror code and launch the alert

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Re-enters query mode after a prior queryRe-enters query mode after a prior query

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Content Content canvascanvas

Tab Tab canvascanvas

Eventually...Eventually...

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OLE: Object Linking and Embedding OLE: Object Linking and Embedding

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Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)

• Allows the developer to link or embed objects within other Allows the developer to link or embed objects within other files objectsfiles objects

– An object can be a document, spreadsheet, graphic An object can be a document, spreadsheet, graphic (GIF, TIF, JPEG, etc.), etc.(GIF, TIF, JPEG, etc.), etc.

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OLE ArchitectureOLE Architecture

• Divides tools into OLE servers and containersDivides tools into OLE servers and containers

– Server - an application that creates and serves OLE Server - an application that creates and serves OLE objects in other applicationsobjects in other applications

– Container - an application that provides facilities for Container - an application that provides facilities for creation, manipulation and storage of OLE objectscreation, manipulation and storage of OLE objects

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OLEOLE

Container Container (embedding)(embedding)

LinkLink

Spreadsheet Spreadsheet (object)(object)

Excel (server)Excel (server)

Oracle Form Oracle Form ModuleModule

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AccessAccess

• Activation - connecting to the server application and using Activation - connecting to the server application and using its features to manipulate and display the objectits features to manipulate and display the object– In-place ActivationIn-place Activation

• Activates within the container applicationActivates within the container application• Focus on the objectFocus on the object

– External Activation (default)External Activation (default)

• Activates within the server applicationActivates within the server application

• Object updated upon closeObject updated upon close

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Create the OLE ContainerCreate the OLE Container

OLE ContainerOLE Container

Create the Create the OLE ContainerOLE Container with the with the OLEOLE button in button in the tool palettethe tool palette

Select the Select the Property PaletteProperty Palette

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Change the Resize PropertyChange the Resize Property

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Assign a File or Application to the OLEAssign a File or Application to the OLE

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Opening an Existing FileOpening an Existing File

Select the fileSelect the file

Display an icon in Display an icon in the OLE containerthe OLE container

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During RuntimeDuring Runtime

Double Double click on click on the iconthe icon

Quick Time Player Quick Time Player (designated Windows (designated Windows plug-in) launched to play plug-in) launched to play the movie filethe movie file

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Documents

Week 4 February 15