Week 4 February 15

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Week 4February 15

• LOV List of Values
• Dealing with Errors and Problems
• OLE Object Linking and Embedding

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Working with Multiple Canvases and Data Blocks
Window
Menu
Master Data Block
? Content canvas
Items
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Data block
User enters a code
Tab Canvas
How many users will remember all the codes?
Data block
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Code transferred into box
LOV (list of values)
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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

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Flexibility

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

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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

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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

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LOV List of Values
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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
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LOV and Record Groups
Manufacturer Name
Manufacturer code
Values
LOV
Values
Record Group
Define
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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

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Creating an LOV
? Select the LOV Wizard
? In the Object Navigator, select LOVs
Create
? Click on Create in the tool palette
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? Enter the query
Check your SQL syntax
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? Specify the columns for the LOV
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Specify the Return Value
Prevents the column from appearing in the LOV
manufacturers.manufacturer_code
? Enter the return value for the data block
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Assign the Return Item for the Data Block
? Assign the column to return
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Object Navigator
LOV will have a record group associated with it
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Record Group
Edit the query through the record groups
property palette
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Assign the LOV to the Data Block
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Assign the LOV to the Data Block
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Program the Trigger
Displays the LOV
Executes the query when the OK button is pressed
An alternative to using ltF9gt
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The user can either double-click or press ltF9gt to
launch the LOV
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Dealing with Errors and Problems
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Launching a Query
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Ending a Form Without Entering a Query
FRM-40353 Error
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Attempting a Query While Not in Query Mode
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FRM-40301 Error
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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

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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
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Local variables needed to capture the error code
and launch the alert
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Re-enters query mode after a prior query
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Eventually...
Content canvas
Tab canvas
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OLE Object Linking and Embedding
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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.

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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

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

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Create the OLE Container
? Select the Property Palette
OLE Container
? Create the OLE Container with the OLE button in
the tool palette
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Change the Resize Property
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Assign a File or Application to the OLE
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Opening an Existing File
? Display an icon in the OLE container
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? Select the file
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During Runtime
Double click on the icon
Quick Time Player (designated Windows plug-in)
launched to play the movie file
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