Alpha Software Mobile Development Tools:   Alpha Anywhere    |   Alpha TransForm subscribe to our YouTube Channel  Follow Us on LinkedIn  Follow Us on Twitter  Follow Us on Facebook

Announcement

Collapse

The Alpha Software Forum Participation Guidelines

The Alpha Software Forum is a free forum created for Alpha Software Developer Community to ask for help, exchange ideas, and share solutions. Alpha Software strives to create an environment where all members of the community can feel safe to participate. In order to ensure the Alpha Software Forum is a place where all feel welcome, forum participants are expected to behave as follows:
  • Be professional in your conduct
  • Be kind to others
  • Be constructive when giving feedback
  • Be open to new ideas and suggestions
  • Stay on topic


Be sure all comments and threads you post are respectful. Posts that contain any of the following content will be considered a violation of your agreement as a member of the Alpha Software Forum Community and will be moderated:
  • Spam.
  • Vulgar language.
  • Quotes from private conversations without permission, including pricing and other sales related discussions.
  • Personal attacks, insults, or subtle put-downs.
  • Harassment, bullying, threatening, mocking, shaming, or deriding anyone.
  • Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language.
  • Sexually explicit or violent material, links, or language.
  • Pirated, hacked, or copyright-infringing material.
  • Encouraging of others to engage in the above behaviors.


If a thread or post is found to contain any of the content outlined above, a moderator may choose to take one of the following actions:
  • Remove the Post or Thread - the content is removed from the forum.
  • Place the User in Moderation - all posts and new threads must be approved by a moderator before they are posted.
  • Temporarily Ban the User - user is banned from forum for a period of time.
  • Permanently Ban the User - user is permanently banned from the forum.


Moderators may also rename posts and threads if they are too generic or do not property reflect the content.

Moderators may move threads if they have been posted in the incorrect forum.

Threads/Posts questioning specific moderator decisions or actions (such as "why was a user banned?") are not allowed and will be removed.

The owners of Alpha Software Corporation (Forum Owner) reserve the right to remove, edit, move, or close any thread for any reason; or ban any forum member without notice, reason, or explanation.

Community members are encouraged to click the "Report Post" icon in the lower left of a given post if they feel the post is in violation of the rules. This will alert the Moderators to take a look.

Alpha Software Corporation may amend the guidelines from time to time and may also vary the procedures it sets out where appropriate in a particular case. Your agreement to comply with the guidelines will be deemed agreement to any changes to it.



Bonus TIPS for Successful Posting

Try a Search First
It is highly recommended that a Search be done on your topic before posting, as many questions have been answered in prior posts. As with any search engine, the shorter the search term, the more "hits" will be returned, but the more specific the search term is, the greater the relevance of those "hits". Searching for "table" might well return every message on the board while "tablesum" would greatly restrict the number of messages returned.

When you do post
First, make sure you are posting your question in the correct forum. For example, if you post an issue regarding Desktop applications on the Mobile & Browser Applications board , not only will your question not be seen by the appropriate audience, it may also be removed or relocated.

The more detail you provide about your problem or question, the more likely someone is to understand your request and be able to help. A sample database with a minimum of records (and its support files, zipped together) will make it much easier to diagnose issues with your application. Screen shots of error messages are especially helpful.

When explaining how to reproduce your problem, please be as detailed as possible. Describe every step, click-by-click and keypress-by-keypress. Otherwise when others try to duplicate your problem, they may do something slightly different and end up with different results.

A note about attachments
You may only attach one file to each message. Attachment file size is limited to 2MB. If you need to include several files, you may do so by zipping them into a single archive.

If you forgot to attach your files to your post, please do NOT create a new thread. Instead, reply to your original message and attach the file there.

When attaching screen shots, it is best to attach an image file (.BMP, .JPG, .GIF, .PNG, etc.) or a zip file of several images, as opposed to a Word document containing the screen shots. Because Word documents are prone to viruses, many message board users will not open your Word file, therefore limiting their ability to help you.

Similarly, if you are uploading a zipped archive, you should simply create a .ZIP file and not a self-extracting .EXE as many users will not run your EXE file.
See more
See less

CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

    I use the above title because I have to admit when it comes time to compile and then *delete* all my global scripts and functions I do so with some trepidation bearing in mind the time and effort that has gone into developing and testing them. Now I have no fear when I do this - I use CompileDB.

    So, here it is is. An application compiler for Alpha Five with the following features:

    1. Quickly and automatically compiles your application's global scripts and UDFs to an aex file.

    2. Works automatically with any A5 application - no customization or changes required.

    3. Backs up your global scripts and UDFs to a zip file. You can restore them easily when required.

    4. Deletes the source statements of your global scripts and UDFs after they are compiled so their Xbasic source is not included with your customer installation build.

    5. Installs as an A5 addin so that you can run it automatically. No separate installation is required in each of your A5 applications.

    6. Easy to remove - just delete it from the A5 addins folder if you decide you don't want it any longer.

    7. Tested comprehensively on A5 version 7. Also tested on A5 version 8.

    8. Source included so you can scrutinize it and make improvements. (But please share them with me so I can include them here).

    9. Automatically checks and detects improper use. For example:
    • Can only be run from the developer's edition of A5.
    • Will not run if the necessary support files are absent.


    10. It's free. No strings attached.

    There is everything here you need to get started with CompileDB. The attached zip file includes the following files:
    • 'CompileDB.aex' The compiled application. Just copy this to your A5 "addins_installed" folder.
    • 'CompileDB.txt' The Xbasic source for CompileDB.aex in case you want to scrutinize the code (its not otherwise required).
    • 'ReadMe for CompileDB.txt' The documentation - how to install and use CompileDB.

    I hope you find CompileDB as useful as I do.

    #2
    Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

    Here is a new version 2 of CompileDB, now with a partner add-in for Alpha Five that restores the scripts compiled and removed by CompileDB.

    Here is a link to the zip file you can download that contains the .aex add-in executable and documentation pdf file.

    The partner add-in is named 'RestoreGlobalScripts' and is contained within the .aex file supplied. It will put back the scripts removed by CompileDB so that version information, existing scripts and other information added to your application's dictionary since CompileDB was run will not be overwritten when restoring a CompilDB backup, as may happen with version 1.

    CompileDB and RestoreGlobalScripts can be run using the following Xbasic syntax:

    addin.run("CompileDB")
    addin.run("RestoreGlobalScripts")

    Both will handle all global scripts and UDFs whether or not they are password protected. They are quick enough too that the restore time should not be an issue at all. For example, my testing of RestoreGlobalScripts on an application with 160 scripts containing 20 thousand Xbasic lines of code completed in one second.

    CompileDB and RestoreGlobalScripts have been designed for, and tested with, both Alpha Five version 7 and 8. They will *not* work with A5v5 or earlier and should work OK with A5v6, although I have not tested them with the latter. If this is a problem for anyone, let me know. If there's enough interest, I can possibly make and test the changes required for A5v5 in just a few days.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

      Due to popular demand here is a new version of CompileDB compatible with all versions of Alpha Five from 5 through 8 inclusive.

      The download link is still the same, and is repeated here.

      To determine what version you have, look at the top of the first page of the documentation. Version 2.1 says so, earlier versions do not.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

        Originally posted by brett s View Post
        Due to popular demand here is a new version of CompileDB compatible with all versions of Alpha Five from 5 through 8 inclusive.

        The download link is still the same, and is repeated here.

        To determine what version you have, look at the top of the first page of the documentation. Version 2.1 says so, earlier versions do not.
        Brett,

        I feel a little stupid asking this question but what is the difference between your CompileDB and the runtime version of an Alpha 5 V8 application? Or does the CompileDB compile the runtime version for faster execution with greater security? If this is the case, what does the speed and performance benefit look and feel like in comparison to the non-CompileDB implimentation?

        Thanks,
        Gordon

        Comment


          #5
          Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

          Gordon,

          These kind of routines are only compiling Global Scripts and UDF's into an AEX file (library file) that can then be used without including source code. The code in the AEX can be referenced from a Runtime, developer or Alpha web server, but does not create an exe or something that runs itself. You still need an Alpha 5 product to use the AEX code.
          Regards,

          Ira J. Perlow
          Computer Systems Design


          CSDA A5 Products
          New - Free CSDA DiagInfo - v1.39, 30 Apr 2013
          CSDA Barcode Functions

          CSDA Code Utility
          CSDA Screen Capture


          Comment


            #6
            Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

            Thanks Ira,

            That answers my question. And, yes, I do have the Alpha 5 Pro version and am about to upgrade to the runtime license with some add on features. So your comments were most useful. Do the compiled Global scripts and UDF's execute any faster compiled or is this just a security function?

            Also, is the new version 8, which I presently have, running faster over the version 7 because it internally compiles on the fly or did they optimize the internal code to get it to execute faster? Does their version 8 runtime execute faster than the standard application under version 8? One of the things I am running into is that when I open a tabbed object I can use each tab almost as a separate form in itself based upon the design of my table set.

            This is very handy but the overhead with many tabs and tables in the set starts to slow down execution speed. Unfortunately, the telephone dialer function only works when the phone numbers are in the parent table and will not work if the numbers are in a child table. You can set it up to link to the child table but the pointers to the data for the telephone numbers are write only and will not read back to the dialer.

            In order to use the dialer from within a tabbed object linked to a child table with the phone numbers, means that each table in the set must have duplicate telephone number fields in order to dial the numbers when they are at the parent level. This really defeats the whole purpose of having a relational database system. The only way around this is to make the table with the phone numbers the parent table and then use several tabs to work with all the child tables in the set. However, by doing this results in the overhead getting too heavy and the application slows.

            The whole reason for having relational table sets is to be able to create several small table sets that can call upon each others data within the confines of small, fast, tight table modules... not sprawling table sets. All it takes is one primary function like a dialer routine that will only call data from within the parent set to screw up the whole principle of relational sets and tight running modules.

            Do you have any comment to make concerning this dilemma.

            Sincerely,
            Gordon

            Comment


              #7
              Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

              Originally posted by GordonMac View Post
              Do the compiled Global scripts and UDF's execute any faster compiled or is this just a security function?
              They do execute faster the 1st time, but not by much and is hard to measure the on the fly compile time

              Originally posted by GordonMac View Post
              Also, is the new version 8, which I presently have, running faster over the version 7 because it internally compiles on the fly or did they optimize the internal code to get it to execute faster?
              Many parts were optimized internally or done in the background in a different thread. The compilation method probably hasn't changed in any significant way, so the execution speed of user code has not changed (unless they user code uses Alpha built-in functions that have been improved)

              Originally posted by GordonMac View Post
              Does their version 8 runtime execute faster than the standard application under version 8?
              Edited: Forgot to answer above - runtime and regular are exactly the same, just different parts are enabled.

              As for the problems with code you are having, it is best covered in the A5V8 message area, not the code archive here. Post the questions there, and include an example code if you can.

              Basically, I'd say it's your code or methods that are wrong most likely, and not Alpha 5. Don't use Action scripts or convert it to XBasic to be sure what code is really running. And learn how to address the objects in XBasic properly and your problems will probably go away.
              Last edited by csda1; 06-27-2007, 09:11 PM. Reason: Forgot to answer last part
              Regards,

              Ira J. Perlow
              Computer Systems Design


              CSDA A5 Products
              New - Free CSDA DiagInfo - v1.39, 30 Apr 2013
              CSDA Barcode Functions

              CSDA Code Utility
              CSDA Screen Capture


              Comment


                #8
                Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

                Thanks again Ira. That was great help. Much appreciated.

                Regards,
                Gordon

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

                  Brett,

                  That works great.

                  Thanks.
                  Dave Mason
                  Dave Mason
                  [email protected]
                  Skype is dave.mason46

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

                    Hi Ira,

                    Thanks for confirming that the runtime and regular A5V8 run at the same speed with just different parts enabled. I thought that might be the case. Just wanted to know for sure. Thanks.

                    Gordon

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

                      CompileDB version 3 is now available and can be downloaded in Zip format from here.

                      There is a documentation PDF file included in the Zip file. Also a CompileDB.aex that must be copied to your Alpha5 '.addins_installed' folder and two '.new_code' files that must be copied to your Alpha5 'Control_Panel_Addins' folder. Please refer to the installation instructions for further details.

                      The main change in version 3 is that you do not now create your own scripts or syntax to run CompileDB. All you need to do is run it from your Alpha5 control panel Code Tab by right clicking anywhere on the white background - see attached JPEG screen shot.

                      This release has been tested on Alpha5 versions 8 and 9 on both Windows Vista and XP. If you discover any problems, let me know. Thanks to Dave J with his invaluable help with testing.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

                        I have used Brett's process with GREAT success.
                        At least you can bring it all back to the cp if you need to.
                        Dave Mason
                        [email protected]
                        Skype is dave.mason46

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

                          Hello Brett;

                          Not sure if you're still on the Message Board anymore, but I was intrigued by this CompileDB you created. Do you still have the CompileDB.txt file? I'd really like to see how it was all done!



                          Originally posted by brett s View Post
                          I use the above title because I have to admit when it comes time to compile and then *delete* all my global scripts and functions I do so with some trepidation bearing in mind the time and effort that has gone into developing and testing them. Now I have no fear when I do this - I use CompileDB.

                          So, here it is is. An application compiler for Alpha Five with the following features:

                          1. Quickly and automatically compiles your application's global scripts and UDFs to an aex file.

                          2. Works automatically with any A5 application - no customization or changes required.

                          3. Backs up your global scripts and UDFs to a zip file. You can restore them easily when required.

                          4. Deletes the source statements of your global scripts and UDFs after they are compiled so their Xbasic source is not included with your customer installation build.

                          5. Installs as an A5 addin so that you can run it automatically. No separate installation is required in each of your A5 applications.

                          6. Easy to remove - just delete it from the A5 addins folder if you decide you don't want it any longer.

                          7. Tested comprehensively on A5 version 7. Also tested on A5 version 8.

                          8. Source included so you can scrutinize it and make improvements. (But please share them with me so I can include them here).

                          9. Automatically checks and detects improper use. For example:
                          • Can only be run from the developer's edition of A5.
                          • Will not run if the necessary support files are absent.


                          10. It's free. No strings attached.

                          There is everything here you need to get started with CompileDB. The attached zip file includes the following files:
                          • 'CompileDB.aex' The compiled application. Just copy this to your A5 "addins_installed" folder.
                          • 'CompileDB.txt' The Xbasic source for CompileDB.aex in case you want to scrutinize the code (its not otherwise required).
                          • 'ReadMe for CompileDB.txt' The documentation - how to install and use CompileDB.

                          I hope you find CompileDB as useful as I do.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

                            Originally posted by awj View Post
                            Hello Brett;

                            Not sure if you're still on the Message Board anymore, but I was intrigued by this CompileDB you created. Do you still have the CompileDB.txt file? I'd really like to see how it was all done!
                            Hi Andrew,
                            Yes, I still visit the message board from time to time. All the original links to CompileDB appear to have been removed, not sure why. So here is the original download link: http://www.pgsd.co.nz/downloads/CompileDB3.zip

                            The CompileDB.txt file you are looking for is in the zip file as 'CompileDB.axb' which is just a plain text file with a '.axb' extension because that is what my main application 'PGPreCompiler' uses as its convention for Alpha5 Xbasic source code.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: CompileDB - An A5 Application Compiler for Cautious Developers

                              Thanks Brett, got the download but I couldn't locate an AXB file in the zip file at all. :)

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X