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Desktop elements not used for web apps

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    #1

    Desktop elements not used for web apps

    I'm a new user planning to build a web application. There are elements that are used for desktop apps but are not used for web apps. For example, it is my understanding that forms or browses are not used in web apps. How about sets, reports, field rules? It would be useful to have a list of elements and features are not applicable to web apps. Could someone point me to a right direction?
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: Desktop elements not used for web apps

    And then there are plenty of forms and browses in the Web Application Demo that comes with A5v10. What are those used for?

    Comment

      #3
      Re: Desktop elements not used for web apps

      Right, forms & browses are desktop only. The web has grids, dialogs and a5w pages. Reports, yes. If you are using dbf (as vs SQL) you can use field rules too, but not all of them work on the web side. Sets can be used for reports only. You can get "set" functionality w. grids using row expanders and the like. Remember , desktop and web are two different animals - both in terms of functionality and in concept (connected vs. "disconnected" models).
      Peter
      AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

       [email protected]
      https://www.alphabasesolutions.com

      Comment

        #4
        Re: Desktop elements not used for web apps

        Thanks Peter.

        I started my learning of A5 with the control panel and all it's functionalities. Then I started studying the web part, it became clear that most of what I've learned are not useful for web. My point is, if the desktop and web apps are different "animals" then they should be put in different "cages". Meaning, there should be 3 control panels: a general one (or database) for everything that is common for desktop and web, desktop control panel and web control panel - a clear separation between the desktop and web parts.

        Let me break down your reply and a few questions:

        1) Forms and browses are desktop only.
        2) Reports are shown as PDFs.
        3) Sets are used for reports only. Then how do you connect different tables?
        4) Which field rules are used for web (masks, validation, lookup)?
        5) How about rest of the control panel (letters, labels, operations, code)- are these used for the web?

        Comment

          #5
          Re: Desktop elements not used for web apps

          Originally posted by alartm View Post
          As you know the regular CP is for the desktop, although for web apps you use it for reports and other things. The web CP is only for the web side. A 3rd CP as you suggest seems to me to be unnecessary. As you gain familiarity and more experience w. A5, I think you will be ok w. that arrangement.
          1) Forms and browses are desktop only.
          Right

          2) Reports are shown as PDFs.
          The WAS automatically renders your reports as PDFs.

          3) Sets are used for reports only. Then how do you connect different tables?
          You can think of a grid as a browse or a form, both. You can connect grids in 1:M relationships using row expanders and other methods. Effectively they work like sets. Very powerful.

          4) Which field rules are used for web (masks, validation, lookup)?
          Autoincrement and calculated field rules have always been web friendly from day 1. Unfortunately, Alpha doesn't give us a list of which FRs work on the web side. You will have to experiment. Grids have their own "field rules", such as validation etc, that you can apply.

          5) How about rest of the control panel (letters, labels, operations, code)- are these used for the web?
          I believe you can use letters/labels (never tried myself). Operation code can be generated and cut & paste into web side, but will typically require some minor modification. Grids can contain user defined code. Ditto for a5w pages.
          Peter
          AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

           [email protected]
          https://www.alphabasesolutions.com

          Comment

            #6
            Re: Desktop elements not used for web apps

            Couple additions:

            Reports can also be output in HTML, XLS or TXT.

            Sets can also be used the web. I use them in dialog AfterValidate and code on A5W pages.

            Speaking of Sets, one of the best pieces of advice I found here is to always base your web reports on Sets. If you change your report, you just re-publish the set and don't have to worry about overwriting a database table.
            Steve Wood
            See my profile on IADN

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