The Definitive DataWindow: Your Key to PowerBuilder Success [Paperback]

Richard Brooks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 2000

For PowerBuilder, PowerJ and PowerSite developers, the DataWindow object offers remarkable power -- and most developers have only scratched the surface of what it can do. Part reference, part tutorial, The Definitive DataWindow is the most systematic guide to the DataWindow every written -- covering everything from the basics to the most advanced skills and techniques. Leading PowerBuilder developer Richard Brooks begins with an in-depth look at the relationships between DataWindows, relational databases, and SQL -- demonstrating powerful techniques for returning data to applications more quickly and efficiently. Brooks reviews the Database Painter, showing how to automate interface conventions company-wide; then introduces the DataWindows control, in-depth. Readers will master every option and characteristic available to DataWindow developers; the strengths and weaknesses of each type of DataWindow; and much more. The Definitive DataWindow includes detailed coverage of graphing, edit and formatting masks, object-oriented techniques for creating specialized DataWindows, and hundreds of advanced tips and techniques, many never before published.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The cornerstone of Sybase's PowerBuilder rapid application development (RAD) tool, the DataWindow greatly facilitates the retrieval and presentation of information from relational databases. Over the years, it has proven its value as a powerful and versatile object that can solve a variety of client/server data handling challenges, and with each new version its capabilities have been expanded and enhanced.

The Definitive DataWindow explores the depths of the DataWindow and shows you how to take full advantage of this popular, but underutilized, technology. Drawing on his extensive knowledge and experience, Richard Brooks leads you from DataWindow basics to its most sophisticated and rarely mined capabilities, providing the insights and advanced skills needed to master this important database development technology.

This book focuses on an in-depth understanding of the DataWindow object, a comprehension that contributes to improved DataWindow control skills, database programming, and user interface design. Other topics include:

Database Painter techniques for creating customized edit masks and display formats

Graphing, from basic functions to techniques for animating graphs in response to user actions

The DataWindow mini-language that creates sophisticated results with virtually no programming

Creating a library of specialized DataWindows

The DataWindow's role in distributed application development

The DataWindow Version 7.0 interface

The DataWindow with PowerJ and PowerSite

Sample code taken directly from existing programs that are running in real-life applications

For those new to the topic, this book presents background on relational database technology, SQL, and DataWindow fundamentals. An entire chapter is devoted to pragmatic tips and techniques for overcoming real-world database development problems. The accompanying CD-ROM features a shareware copy of StarTeam and English Wizard.

Part tutorial, part reference, and part practical guide, this indispensable resource will greatly enhance your use of the DataWindow and your overall database programming skills.

020170224XB04062001

About the Author

Richard Brooks, an independent consultant, is one of the most renowned members of the PowerBuilder community. He is the webmaster of Rik's PowerBuilder Dojo (www.1313mockingbirdlane.com/dojo/), a popular online resource for PowerBuilder programmers. He has authored several books on PowerBuilder, including the PowerBuilder 4 Developer's Handbook, The Zen of PowerBuilder, and the PFC Programmer's Reference Manual. He is on the editorial staff of the PowerBuilder Developer's Journal and writes a monthly column for the same publication called "DataWindow Magic." 020170224XAB04062001

Product Details

• Paperback: 800 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional (April 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 020170224X
• ISBN-13: 978-0201702248
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,920,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of The Definitive Datawindow, April 17, 2000

By 

Gokul Bhandari "Bibliophile" (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Definitive DataWindow: Your Key to PowerBuilder Success (Paperback)

If you are a PowerBuilder programmer, then the recent book entitled "The Definitive Datawindow" is certainly a must for you. Datawindow is considered the heart of PowerBuilder and this books explores it in a very minute detail. I have been programming in PowerBuilder for last 4 years and after reading this book, I realize how rudimentary my approach was. I wish I could have this book earlier. A significant portion of the book is covered with the introduction to RDBMS and SQL, so even the non PowerBuilder programmer can find this book useful. The author's style is simple and straight forward. The best thing about this book is that the author has made a great effort in putting all datawindow related material in a coherent way. I consider this book a jewel in datawindow techology. Lucky and wise are those who start their Powerbuilder journey with this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My opinion is..., June 12, 2000

By 

MEINARDI SERGIO (Northern Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Definitive DataWindow: Your Key to PowerBuilder Success (Paperback)

... this is a very good book, for beginners like me. It's nor a manual neither a reference. It contains a lot of examples and overall ideas to deal with and think about. There are solutions applied to real problems. That's why I like it: a practical manual with theory inside you learn with no effort. And it's written in english; no slang, technical word where necessary only. It's important for people speaking non english languages. Thanks Rick.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Big disappointment, May 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Definitive DataWindow: Your Key to PowerBuilder Success (Paperback)

Too much text and too many pictures, not much information that you would not find in most PB books. Part tutorial, part reference, and part practical guide, but nothing special as a whole.