1 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Week 4 February 15 LOV: List of ValuesLOV: List of Values Dealing with Errors and ProblemsDealing with Errors and Problems OLE: Object Linking and EmbeddingOLE: Object Linking and Embedding

2 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Working with Multiple Canvases and Data Blocks Window Master Data Block  Tab canvas  Content canvas Items  Detail Data Block Items Menu Menu LOV

3 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Tab Canvas Data block User enters a code How many users will remember all the codes?

4 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento LOV (list of values) Code transferred into box

5 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento

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7 Principles of Design A form or reports should... Communicate information to the userCommunicate information to the user Be flexible to adapt to different needs, levels of experience and knowledge of the intended userBe flexible to adapt to different needs, levels of experience and knowledge of the intended user Be simple, and no simplerBe simple, and no simpler Perform to match the flow and speed of the userPerform to match the flow and speed of the user Provide assistance to its users through feedback and the ability to undo errorsProvide assistance to its users through feedback and the ability to undo errors

8 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Flexibility Flexibility: The degree to which users can adapt the application to their intended useFlexibility: The degree to which users can adapt the application to their intended use –Provide different paths for different levels of experience

9 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento 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 reliabilityAutomate data entry to improve reliability –Default values, list of values, triggers

10 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Sequence of Events... Create the content canvasCreate the content canvas –Add the master data block –Program the triggers Create the tab canvasCreate the tab canvas –Add the detail data block Create and attach the LOV (list of values)Create and attach the LOV (list of values) Menu added through inheritance (i.e., call_form)Menu added through inheritance (i.e., call_form) Fine tune the form moduleFine tune the form module

11 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento LOV: List of Values

12 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento List of Values (LOV) Used to authenticate or automate the selection of values from a listUsed to authenticate or automate the selection of values from a list Returns values to other items (e.g., data block item)Returns values to other items (e.g., data block item) Modal (popup) windowModal (popup) window Search functionSearch function –Handle large lists Can be filled by a query (dynamic list) or a static listCan be filled by a query (dynamic list) or a static list LOV

13 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento LOV and Record Groups LOV Record Group Define Values Manufacturer Name Manufacturer code Values

14 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Creating an LOV Create the LOV through the LOV WizardCreate 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 blockAssign the LOV to the data block Program a trigger that will display the LOVProgram a trigger that will display the LOV

15 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Creating an LOV Create  In the Object Navigator, select LOVs  Click on Create in the tool palette  Select the LOV Wizard

16 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento  Enter the query Check your SQL syntax

17 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento  Specify the columns for the LOV

18 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Specify the Return Value manufacturers.manufacturer_codemanufacturers.manufacturer_code Prevents the column from appearing in the LOV  Enter the return value for the data block

19 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Assign the Return Item for the Data Block  Assign the column to return

20 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Object Navigator LOV will have a record group associated with it

21 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Record Group Edit the query through the record group’s property palette

22 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Assign the LOV to the Data Block

23 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Assign the LOV to the Data Block

24 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Program the Trigger Displays the LOV Executes the query when the OK button is pressed An alternative to using An alternative to using

25 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento The user can either double-click or press to launch the LOV

26 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Dealing with Errors and Problems

27 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Launching a Query

28 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Ending a Form Without Entering a Query FRM Error

29 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Attempting a Query While Not in Query Mode

30 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento FRM Error

31 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Overcoming Problems with Triggers Maximize the MDI and form module windowsMaximize the MDI and form module windows Enter query mode when the form is launchedEnter query mode when the form is launched Re-enter query mode after every queryRe-enter query mode after every query Cancel the query if no query is entered when exiting the formCancel the query if no query is entered when exiting the form Suppress system alerts and messagesSuppress system alerts and messages

32 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento 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

33 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento

34 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Local variables needed to capture the error code and launch the alert

35 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Re-enters query mode after a prior query

36 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Content canvas Tab canvas Eventually...

37 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento OLE: Object Linking and Embedding

38 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) Allows the developer to link or embed objects within other files objectsAllows the developer to link or embed objects within other files objects –An object can be a document, spreadsheet, graphic (GIF, TIF, JPEG, etc.), etc.

39 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento OLE Architecture Divides tools into OLE servers and containersDivides 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

40 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento OLE Container (embedding) Link Spreadsheet (object) Excel (server) Oracle Form Module

41 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Access Activation - connecting to the server application and using its features to manipulate and display the objectActivation - connecting to the server application and using its features to manipulate and display the object –In-place Activation Activates within the container applicationActivates within the container application Focus on the objectFocus on the object –External Activation (default) Activates within the server applicationActivates within the server application Object updated upon closeObject updated upon close

42 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Create the OLE Container OLE Container  Create the OLE Container with the OLE button in the tool palette  Select the Property Palette

43 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Change the Resize Property

44 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Assign a File or Application to the OLE

45 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento Opening an Existing File  Select the file  Display an icon in the OLE container

46 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento During Runtime Double click on the icon Quick Time Player (designated Windows plug-in) launched to play the movie file

47 R. Ching, Ph.D. MIS Area California State University, Sacramento