Progress
AppBuilder
Developer’s Guide


Creating a Dynamic SmartDataBrowser Instance

Creating, placing, and configuring a dynamic SmartDataBrowser is a very straightforward process. Follow these steps:

  1. First create and place an appropriate SmartDataObject to supply the data stream the Browser will display.
  2. Right-click the SmartDataBrowser tool icon in the Object Palette:
  3. Choose Dynamic SmartDataBrowser from the menu that opens.

  4. Position your mouse cursor over the workspace and click to place the object. It appears as a Browse widget, initially with only a single column:
  5. AppBuilder immediately opens an Advisor window if it finds opportunities to create SmartLinks to other objects. Examine the recommendations and accept all that seem appropriate.
  6. Click on the menu button and select Instance Properties from the menu. That dialog box opens:
  7. If you wish to display or allow updates to fewer fields than the SmartDataObject would permit, make those changes now. Choose the appropriate button to open a selector dialog. See Table 5–1 for a description of how Progress makes use of your choices.
  8. Table 5–1: Dynamic SmartDataBrowser Display/Update Rules 
    Your Choice
    Progress Response
    Display
    Update
    Make no changes
    Display all fields provided by the SmartDataObject (the value of the DataColumns property).
    Allow updates on all fields enabled in the SmartDataObject (the value of the UpdatableColumns property).
    Specify only the display list.
    Display the fields you chose.
    If there is a TableIO source, then allow updates on all fields that are enabled in the SmartDataObject, if they are also being displayed.
    If no TableIO source, then allow no updates at all.
    Specify only the enabled list.
    Display all fields provided by the SmartDataObject (the value of the Data Columns property).
    Allow updates on the fields you chose.
    Specify both the display list and the enabled list.
    Display the fields you chose.
    Allow updates on the fields you chose.

  9. If you wish to allow the user to search on one of the displayed fields, select it from the Search Field combo box.
  10. Clear the Enable and View check boxes to initialize the object in a hidden, insensitive state.
  11. Set the Down value to the number of rows you wish the Browser to display. If you wish the object to determine its own best width, check the Calculate Width box and, if desired, enter a Max Width limiting value.
  12. NOTE: The design-time representation does not account for the Down and Width choices you make, so you cannot predict the run-time appearance from it. You will need to experiment to determine how to get the run-time appearance you desire. A good first approximation for number of lines might be to show 1 or 2 more lines than your Down setting (1 to account for the column-labels line, and a second if there will be a horizontal scroll bar)

  13. Unless the total number of records in the data stream is same or less than the Rows To Batch value, the user will not be able to use the scroll bar to reach the last record. The last record reachable by using the scroll bar is the last record in the buffer, not the last record in the data stream. This can be confusing to the user.
  14. To solve this problem, check the Scroll Remote Results List box. You might also have to write some code. For more information see the "Scrolling to the Last Record in the Data Stream" section.

Unless you need to add special logic, the Dynamic Browser will typically be a lower-cost choice than a Static Browser.


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