One to many data entry in Web Apps

[JetLi]

How do we do one to many in web App? on the desktop we just create a set then point and click to a form then a browse for the detail and it's finished, one the powerful feature of alpha five, can we do this on web apps? is there a web app version of Alpha Sports? Hoping that I could access sql server faster , because I tried on the desktop but it is tooo slow, just to display a lookup field using active or passive link would take 5 to 10 seconds to display the lookup.Thanks

[MarionT]

Re: One to many data entry in Web Apps

hi Jetson -

How do we do one to many in web App?
there are several ways; examples of linking the kids to the parents
- row expander option puts a + a the start of parent row, and you can expand /collapse to see the kids (but other rows get 'pushed' downward visually)
- insert the kids as a field, embedding them in the parental row of the grid
- add linked content, via a hyperlink, or image, or clicking the row, or doubleclicking the row - to a pop-up window, or drop-down, or opens another tab


on the desktop we just create a set then point and click to a form then a browse for the detail and it's finished, one the powerful feature of alpha five, can we do this on web apps?
yes


is there a web app version of Alpha Sports?
I don't know, but there are demo web apps from Alpha


check out the videos here

http://server2.alphasoftware.com/sup...eo-library.a5w


and
http://news.alphasoftware.com/v11preview/videos_v11.htm

in particular - look at the videso from V10 http://news.alphasoftware.com/v11pre...os_v11.htm#V10

nutshell -
build a grid component from one table or view, say the parent
build a grid component from another table or view - the kids

and then use one of many methods to LINK them

[Steve Workings]

Re: One to many data entry in Web Apps

You can also use the dialog component in V11, and it's Repeating Rows feature.

[JetLi]

Re: One to many data entry in Web Apps

It's really easier on the desktop to do a one to many data entry like the invoice app in alpha sports,in 10 minutes, a working data entry is finished, it is somewhat harder on web app, I also tried to find a way on how to do a lookup in grid component but i'm stuck,it's so easy on Desktop.Any advice please on Lookups? Thank You!

[JetLi]

Re: One to many data entry in Web Apps

BTW, are field rules applicable in Web Apps? like the posting feature on native DBF's? I tried to do a post which subtracts the qty invoiced to the On Stock in the products table but I is not working, It's again very easy easy on the desktop part but I don't know why it is not working when i tried to create a web app.

[MarionT]

Re: One to many data entry in Web Apps

Hi Jetson -
It's hard on the web because it's new to you. It was hard for me when I started, a few weeks ago but I made a lot of progress, within weeks.

LookUp - there are several ways to do this, so it depends on what you are trying to do. Go to the video links and search for look-up. Examples: you can set the field type as dropdown (but this is not helpful when the list of values is extensive). You can set the field as TextBox, and then Field.Properties.Lookup - and you have 3 options - to do the lookup to another A5 grid component, to do AutoSuggest (my personal fav) or EditCombo.

FieldRules - I don't know what the 'posting feature' is
there are extensive validation rules which address field validation - again, check out the video links for 'validation'

Calculations - to my way of thinking, this is different from field rules and validation; these are calculations, which can be built within field.properties.calculation (using xbasic) - or, as I am not familiar with xbasic, I prefer to build the formulas in my database

I know. It's overwhelming. But you'll be fine in a couple of weeks.

Be sure to check out Steve Wood's free Friday webinars
http://www.alphatogo.com/support.a5w

[JetLi]

Re: One to many data entry in Web Apps

Thank you so much Marion for the tips that you shared me especially on your experiences on Alpha Five, I'll roll my sleeves and start the learning process, I'll be posting for more questions, i hope you'll find time to help again.Also thanks Steve.

[JetLi]

Re: One to many data entry in Web Apps

I created a lookup in a Grid component, but i can't figure out how to display the specific value, instead, what is displayed is the primary key of the lookup value, How do we display the ProductName for example instead of the product id after selecting a value in the lookup combo box.

[MarionT]

Re: One to many data entry in Web Apps

Jetson -

when you set up the dropdown, do you see the dialog as on the attached image?

you want to check the option to "store value other than the display vlaue" and then specify what get stored


see attahced
does that help?

2012-03-19_Drop_down.png

[JetLi]

Re: One to many data entry in Web Apps

Marion,
Thank you very much for your help again, I skipped that a while ago, and proceeded to get data to sql server, i used two grids, one for order header and one for order detail, just like the one in Alpha Sports database for the desktop but being a beginner, i could not save a record for the detail, i cant figure out how to connect their primary key.Hope you could help me again.

[MarionT]

Re: One to many data entry in Web Apps

Hi Jetson

I recommend using the Northwind database for learning.... I resisted doing so for a couple of years, but now that I've started, I've grown quite attached to it. It becomes a 'common denominator' for discussions.

Having said that, let's step back and see what you've done.

I understand that you are trying to work with a header and detail table, but let's do baby steps.

1. build a component just for the header table; what kind of component did you build? There are 5 choices (editable grid, readonly grid, readonly grid with updateable detail view, and 2 types of single record view).

For learning, before you work with two grids, familiarize yourself with one grid and the 5 types of components.

Make an editable grid. Can you save a record? And update? and Delete?

2. ok, let's move to working with 2 components (let's not deal with inserts or updates yet, until you have the basic linking working). Let's say, for learning purposes that you are trying to set up the following scenario - t may not be what you want/need, but it's for learning.

Header - build as readonly grid.
For the moment, keep HeaderPKid as a visible column in the grid.

Child - build as a readonly grid
for the moment, keep the ChildPKid and HeaderFKid as visible columns in the grid

now, I don't know which method you are using for connecting them, so let's just grab one method....

In the Header Grid.Properties.RowExpander (do you know about the Search Properties to help find the features?)
- toggle on RowExpander
- RowExpanderType defaults to LinkedContent
- RowExpanderLinkedContent - select this and the dialog will ask you for the LinkedContent to add (select your Child component), and select the Header.HeaderPKid and the Child.HeaderFKid
- Preview the component; you'll have + marks at each row; click and the row will expand
- play around with the other RowExpander options



Next up -
try to link two components via:
- InsertField.Embeddedgrid
- Grid.Properties.LinkedContent

Once you're done with these exercises, and are comfortable with the basic linking, let me know and I'll walk you thru being able to insert (or - go for it on your own, changing the 2nd component to be editable)

[JetLi]

Re: One to many data entry in Web Apps

Thanks Marion Very Much, I'll give it a try,

May I request again for your help to continue the One to many data entry? I already finished doing step by step your instruction above.