PowerBuilder 7.0 Unleashed is an excellent one-volume reference to new features in Sybase's well-known programming tool, with good coverage of its support for distributed and Internet-based computing. Ideal for any intermediate developer, this book compiles a host of useful tips for getting the most out of your PowerBuilder applications, providing a soup-to-nuts tour of PowerBuilder, plus full coverage of its various "painter" tools (such as the Window, Application, and Menu Painters). The new and advanced features in the PB environment are explained thoroughly. Short, task-based programming excerpts that show how to carry out specific tasks are the rule here.
The discussion of the DataWindow control (traditionally the most powerful feature of PB) is outstanding in this book. Several chapters cover basic and advanced programming techniques and include valuable insights on optimizing the performance of this powerful object. Advanced material looks at ways to extend DataWindows, such as customizing SQL, printing, and managing master-detail relationships effectively. (There's also material here on using the HTML version and plug-in versions of DataWindow for browser-based interfaces.) PowerBuilder's traditional support for databases is in ample evidence here, along with an excellent tour of database design, SQL, and hints for optimizing DB performance.
This text also succeeds at highlighting PowerBuilder's support for distributed and Internet applications, with coverage of recent technologies like Sybase's Jaguar transaction server, Enterprise Application (EA) Server, Web.PB, and the PowerBuilder Foundation Classes (PFC). In all, PowerBuilder 7.0 Unleashed shows that a favorite tool from the '90s is indeed ready for the next generation of applications. This book is big, but it is also carefully organized to give experienced PB readers new tools and techniques that will let them do even more with this powerful development tool. --Richard Dragan
Topics covered: PowerBuilder 7 overview and new features, development environment views, PB objects, support for database products, SQL tutorial, the Database Painter, the DataWindow Painter, DataWindow scripting and advanced techniques, PowerScript programming language tutorial, the Library Painter, optimizing libraries, the Application Painter and application objects, windows and the Window Painter, advanced controls, the Menu Painter and menus, user objects, client/server basics, introduction to analysis and design, database design and normalization, documentation and help systems, PowerBuilder deployment, testing and debugging, managing maintenance and upgrades, optimization and performance hints, PowerBuilder Foundation Classes (PFC), Internet applications, Jaguar transaction support, EA Server, Web.PB, graphing, data pipelining, using mail with PowerBuilder, drag-and-drop functionality, multimedia support, calling Win32 C APIs, ActiveX and OLE support.
PowerBuilder 7.0 Unleashed utilizes the successful structure of the Unleashed series to provide a comprehensive book on the latest features of PowerBuilder 7. These features include DBMS development, SQL Painter, the new interface of 7.0, new controls, new menu property, using UML with PowerBuilder, ClearCase, the new functionality of PowerBuilder 7 and Transaction Servers, new Internet capabilities, and new functionality in Lotus Notes. This version also contains real-world case studies and code examples for you to learn from and employ.
