How to set session variables from a List Control (UX)

[ids-dave]

Trying to figure out how to set session variables from the List Control properties. I've tried doing it from the List Properties -> Java Script Runtime -> OnItemDraw
and a few other places that were just guesses on my part. Looked in the documentation and the help videos but haven't spotted anything that walks you through the best way to set/create session variable from a UX using fields from a List Control to populate the session variables

In the past, I've been doing this from a grid using the Server Side Event -> OnExistingRowRender to create and populate session variables

Example of my old way
function OnExistingRowRender as v (e as p)
dim e.rv.session.__protected__user_email as c
dim e.rv.session.__protected__greeting as c
dim e.rv.session.__protected__company_code as C
dim e.rv.session.__protected__company_name as C
dim e.rv.session.__protected__company_address1 as C
dim e.rv.session.__protected__company_address2 as C
dim e.rv.session.__protected__company_city as C
dim e.rv.session.__protected__company_state as C
dim e.rv.session.__protected__company_zip as C
e.rv.session.__protected__user_email = e.rowData.data("userid")
e.rv.session.__protected__greeting = e.rowData.data("greeting_name")
e.rv.session.__protected__company_code = e.rowData.data("company_code")
e.rv.session.__protected__company_name = e.rowData.data("company_name")
e.rv.session.__protected__company_address1 = e.rowData.data("address1")
e.rv.session.__protected__company_address2 = e.rowData.data("address2")
e.rv.session.__protected__company_city = e.rowData.data("city")
e.rv.session.__protected__company_state = e.rowData.data("state")
e.rv.session.__protected__company_zip = e.rowData.data("zip")
end function

I really held off learning how to build UX components and am starting to appreciate all the cool things you can do, but just haven't been able to figure this out. Any suggestions are much appreciated

Environment.... AA Build 3779-4708 Windows Server 2008 r2 and SQL Server 2008 r2

Thanks, Dave

[Davidk]

Re: How to set session variables from a List Control (UX)

__protected and e.rv are no longer required... Alpha recommends using the Session object... e.g. session.user_email="[email protected]". Further... session vars do not need to be dimmed.

I'll use session vars in a web app, but not usually in a mobile app. There are also State vars you can use which are easily accessible client and server side. Are you working on web or mobile?

To set session vars... you can perform an Ajax Callback from the client to the server. All data is usually in e.dataSubmitted.

If you're working with a data bound UX, then the server-side events can be used... access the data... and set your session vars.

Overall, it kinda depends on what you need to do... and where.

[CharlesParker]

Re: How to set session variables from a List Control (UX)

David, can you give an example of setting a state var from a SQL lookup? Second question: would this be preferable to a session var? Third, which is more secure?

[Davidk]

Re: How to set session variables from a List Control (UX)

Setting a state var, in principle, is like setting a session var. e.g. e._state.myVar1 = "value1". You can find this info in the UX server-side events doc. Preferable? Depends on what you're doing and where you're doing it. I prefer not to use session vars in mobile apps. I'd rather use state vars and dialog namespace vars. More secure? No more or less I'd suppose.

[CharlesParker]

Re: How to set session variables from a List Control (UX)

Ok, I have seen you say it more than once about state vars in mobile apps and I guess that is because of the server relationship with the app possibly not being present whereas a web app almost always means your connected by nature of the fact that your "on" the web.
Because my web application is multi-tenant I filter about all of my components by a session var called company_id. When I build a phone gap application I should probably change the "session.coid" to "e._state.coid" and filter all of my components by that instead. I don't want to do that because you said so, I want to do it because I understand WHY I would do that and what benefit it brings or what posible issues I might have by not doing it.
Do you find they are more reliable? Faster? etc...
Finally, I am really only asking for a better understanding and thank you in advance.
Always a major help!

[CharlesParker]

Re: How to set session variables from a List Control (UX)

I know your knee-jerk reaction would be to say "does this guy even read the documentation on variables?"
I promise I have read it several times, I read the footnotes and tips and bought books and watch the videos! I work with Alpha every day. Somehow, you make it real to me when you explain it. Not everytime mind you - but very often ---- so many thanks!

[ids-dave]

Re: How to set session variables from a List Control (UX)

The app I'm working on is for mobile and the old sample code goes back to version 10. I was trying to show where I was coming from, ie: old way versus new way.

Thanks for the advice about avoiding the use of session vars in mobile apps. As the app has been growing, I've become more concerned about how the life span would behave while disconnected

I came across state vars in some of the documentation, but really couldn't put 2 and 2 together, will need to re-visit

[Davidk]

Re: How to set session variables from a List Control (UX)

I know your knee-jerk reaction would be to say "does this guy even read the documentation on variables?"
I promise I have read it several times, I read the footnotes and tips and bought books and watch the videos! I work with Alpha every day. Somehow, you make it real to me when you explain it. Not everytime mind you - but very often ---- so many thanks!

Ummm... you're welcome?