Week 4 February 15

1. Week 4February 15 LOV: List of Values Dealing with Errors and Problems OLE: Object Linking and Embedding

2. LOV Items  Detail Data Block  Tab canvas Working with Multiple Canvases and Data Blocks Menu Window Master Data Block Content canvas Items

3. Data block User enters a code Tab Canvas How many users will remember all the codes? Data block

4. Code transferred into box LOV (list of values)

7. Principles of Design A form or reports should... • Communicate information to the user • Be flexible to adapt to different needs, levels of experience and knowledge of the intended user • Be simple, and no simpler • Perform to match the flow and speed of the user • Provide assistance to its users through feedback and the ability to undo errors

8. Flexibility • Flexibility: The degree to which users can adapt the application to their intended use • Provide different paths for different levels of experience

9. Simplicity • 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 reliability • Default values, list of values, triggers

10. Sequence of Events... • Create the content canvas • Add the master data block • Program the triggers • Create the tab canvas • Add the detail data block • Create and attach the LOV (list of values) • Menu added through inheritance (i.e., call_form) • Fine tune the form module

11. LOV: List of Values

12. List of Values (LOV) • Used to authenticate or automate the selection of values from a list • Returns values to other items (e.g., data block item) • Modal (popup) window • Search function • Handle large lists • Can be filled by a query (dynamic list) or a static list LOV

13. LOV and Record Groups Manufacturer Name Manufacturer code Values LOV Values Record Group Define

14. Creating an LOV • Create the LOV through the LOV Wizard • Build the SQL query that creates the list • Select and assign the return value to the data block item • Assign the LOV to the data block • Program a trigger that will display the LOV

15. Creating an LOV  Select the LOV Wizard  In the Object Navigator, select LOVs Create  Click on Create in the tool palette

16.  Enter the query Check your SQL syntax

17.  Specify the columns for the LOV

18. Specify the Return Value Prevents the column from appearing in the LOV manufacturers.manufacturer_code  Enter the return value for the data block

19. Assign the Return Item for the Data Block  Assign the column to return

20. Object Navigator LOV will have a record group associated with it

21. Record Group Edit the query through the record group’s property palette

22. Assign the LOV to the Data Block

23. Assign the LOV to the Data Block

24. Program the Trigger Displays the LOV Executes the query when the OK button is pressed An alternative to using <F9>

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

26. Dealing with Errors and Problems

27. Launching a Query

28. Ending a Form Without Entering a Query FRM-40353 Error

29. Attempting a Query While Not in Query Mode

30. FRM-40301 Error

31. Overcoming Problems with Triggers • Maximize the MDI and form module windows • Enter query mode when the form is launched • Re-enter query mode after every query • Cancel the query if no query is entered when exiting the form • Suppress system alerts and messages

32. Add and program the WHEN-NEW-FORM-INSTANCE and WHEN-NEW-RECORD-INSTANCE triggers Add and program the WHEN-MOUSE-CLICK trigger Note: This was taken from another form module

34. Local variables needed to capture the error code and launch the alert

35. Re-enters query mode after a prior query

36. Eventually... Content canvas Tab canvas

37. OLE: Object Linking and Embedding

38. Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) • Allows the developer to link or embed objects within other files objects • An object can be a document, spreadsheet, graphic (GIF, TIF, JPEG, etc.), etc.

39. OLE Architecture • Divides tools into OLE servers and containers • Server - an application that creates and serves OLE objects in other applications • Container - an application that provides facilities for creation, manipulation and storage of OLE objects

40. OLE Oracle Form Module Link Container (embedding) Excel (server) Spreadsheet (object)

41. Access • Activation - connecting to the server application and using its features to manipulate and display the object • In-place Activation • Activates within the container application • Focus on the object • External Activation (default) • Activates within the server application • Object updated upon close

42. Create the OLE Container  Select the Property Palette OLE Container  Create the OLE Container with the OLE button in the tool palette

43. Change the Resize Property

44. Assign a File or Application to the OLE

45. Opening an Existing File  Display an icon in the OLE container   Select the file

46. During Runtime Double click on the icon Quick Time Player (designated Windows plug-in) launched to play the movie file