Transcript Week 4 February 15 • LOV: List of Values • Dealing with Errors and Problems • OLE: Object Linking and Embedding R.

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Week 4
February 15
• LOV: List of Values
• Dealing with Errors and Problems
• OLE: Object Linking and Embedding
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
Working with Multiple Canvases
and Data Blocks
Menu
LOV
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Window
Items
Master Data Block
 Content canvas
 Detail Data Block
Items
 Tab canvas
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
Data block
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User enters a code
Tab Canvas
How many users will remember all the codes?
Data block
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Code transferred into box
LOV (list of values)
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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
Principles of Design
A form or reports should...
• Communicate information to the user
• Be flexible to adapt to different needs, levels of
experience and knowledge of the intended user
• Be simple, and no simpler
• Perform to match the flow and speed of the user
• Provide assistance to its users through feedback and the
ability to undo errors
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Flexibility
• Flexibility: The degree to which users can adapt the
application to their intended use
– Provide different paths for different levels of
experience
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Simplicity
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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 reliability
– Default values, list of values, triggers
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Sequence of Events...
• Create the content canvas
– Add the master data block
– Program the triggers
• Create the tab canvas
– Add the detail data block
• Create and attach the LOV (list of values)
• Menu added through inheritance (i.e., call_form)
• Fine tune the form module
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LOV: List of Values
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List of Values (LOV)
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• Used to authenticate or automate the selection of values
from a list
• Returns values to other items (e.g., data block item)
• Modal (popup) window
• Search function
– Handle large lists
• Can be filled by a query
(dynamic list) or a static list
LOV
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LOV and Record Groups
Manufacturer code
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Manufacturer Name
LOV
Define
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Record
Group
Creating an LOV
• Create 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 block
• Program a trigger that will display the LOV
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Creating an LOV
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 Select the
LOV Wizard
Create
 In the Object Navigator, select LOVs
 Click on Create in the tool palette
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 Enter the
query
Check your SQL syntax
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 Specify the columns for the LOV
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Specify the Return Value
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Prevents the column from appearing in the LOV
manufacturers.manufacturer_code
 Enter the return value for the data block
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Assign the Return Item for the Data Block
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 Assign the column to return
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Object Navigator
LOV will have a record group associated with it
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Record Group
Edit the query through
the record group’s
property palette
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Assign the LOV to the Data Block
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Assign the LOV to the Data Block
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Program the Trigger
Displays the LOV
Executes the query when the OK button is pressed
An alternative to using <F9>
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The user can either
double-click or
press <F9> to
launch the LOV
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Dealing with Errors and Problems
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Launching a Query
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Ending a Form Without Entering a Query
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FRM-40353 Error
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Attempting a Query While Not in Query Mode
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FRM-40301 Error
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Overcoming Problems with Triggers
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Maximize the MDI and form module windows
Enter query mode when the form is launched
Re-enter query mode after every query
Cancel the query if no query is entered when exiting the
form
• Suppress system alerts and messages
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Add and program the
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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
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Local variables needed to capture the
error code and launch the alert
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Re-enters query mode after a prior query
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Eventually...
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Content
canvas
Tab
canvas
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OLE: Object Linking and Embedding
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Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)
• Allows the developer to link or embed objects within other
files objects
– An object can be a document, spreadsheet, graphic
(GIF, TIF, JPEG, etc.), etc.
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OLE Architecture
• Divides 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
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OLE
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Oracle Form
Module
Container
(embedding)
Link
Excel (server)
Spreadsheet (object)
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Access
• Activation - connecting to the server application and using
its features to manipulate and display the object
– In-place Activation
• Activates within the container application
• Focus on the object
– External Activation (default)
• Activates within the server application
• Object updated upon close
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Create the OLE Container
 Select the Property Palette
OLE Container
 Create the OLE Container with the OLE button in
the tool palette
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Change the Resize Property
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Assign a File or Application to the OLE
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Opening an Existing File
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 Select the file
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 Display an icon in
the OLE container
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During Runtime
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Double
click on
the icon
Quick Time Player
(designated Windows
plug-in) launched to play
the movie file
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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento