Developing Applications Using Informix 4GL - SPVC

An Overview of Informix 4GL

• Describe Informix 4GL products
• List and describe the components of a 4GL program
• Use the I-4GL Programmer's Environment to perform application development tasks
• Use command-line commands to compile programs

The I-4GL Programming Language

• Write programs using I-4GL syntax
• Display messages and prompt for information in an application
• Create menus in an application

Utilities

• Create a Help file
• Create and use forms
• Display a form
• Open a new window to display a form

Informix Data Types

• List and describe the various Informix data types available
• List Informix data types that are not supported by Informix 4GL

Programming concepts

• Define the appropriate variables for your program
• Understand the scope of program variables
• Know which data types can be used to define a variable in your program

Entering Application Data

• Use the INPUT statement to enter user data into program variables
• Modify input data using INPUT statement clauses
• Use the INSERT statement to add data to a database

Event Handling

• Use an SQLCA record to identify errors and warnings
• Use the WHENEVER ERROR statement to manage error handling
• Use the DEFER INTERRUPT statement to identify and respond to errors during data entry

Query Handling

• Use basic SELECT statements in a 4GL application
• Verify that data entered is valid

Using Cursors

• Use cursors in a 4GL application
• Explain the purpose of transactions and implement them in an application
• Use scroll cursors

Query-by-Example

• Implement query by example in a 4GL application

Deleting and updating rows

• Lock rows to be modified using a FOR UPDATE cursor
• Delete rows from a table in a 4GL application
• Update rows in a 4GL application

Optimizing applications

• Use the PREPARE command to prepare frequently used statements and EXECUTE when it is time to run them
• Use a SCROLL cursor on a primary key to create an index that can be used by another cursor

Arrays

• Create a use a form that uses an array
• Create an input array to use for data entry
• Describe the various input array options
• Display array data in a regular or pop-up window

Reports

• Create a report driver
• Define and generate the report
• Format the report output

Informix 4GL applications as Web services

• Define Web Service and Service-Oriented Architecture
• Describe the process of deploying a 4GL application to a Web service
• Configure the 4GL development environment for Web services
• Use the 4GL tools to manage components, compile, and deploy functions as Web services

Welcome

Unit 1: An overview of Informix 4GL

• Topic 1: Informix 4GL and the Informix toolset
• Topic 2: Basic components of I-4GL
• Exercise 1
• Topic 3: The I-4GL user interface
• Topic 4: Building a 4GL application
• Topic 5: Compiling the application
• Exercise 2

Unit 2: The Informix 4GL programming language

• Topic 1: Procedural logic
• Topic 2: Screen interaction statements
• Topic 3: The MENU statement
• Exercise 3

Unit 3: Utilities

• Topic 1: Creating a help file: The mkmessage utility
• Exercise 4
• Topic 2: Creating and using forms
• Exercise 5
• Topic 3: Displaying forms
• Topic 4: Opening windows to display forms
• Exercise 6

Unit 4: Informix data types

• Topic 1: Character data types
• Topic 2: Numeric data types
• Topic 3: Date and Time data types
• Topic 4: Other types

Unit 5: Programming concepts

• Exercise 7

Unit 6: Entering application data

• Topic 1: The INPUT statement
• Exercise 8
• Topic 2: Using clauses with the INPUT statement
• Exercise 9
• Topic 3: The INSERT statement
• Exercise 10

Unit 7: Event handling

• Topic 1: The SQLCA record
• Topic 2: Trapping errors with the WHENEVER statement
• Exercise 11
• Topic 3: The DEFER INTERRUPT statement
• Exercise 12

Unit 8: Query handling

• Topic 1: SELECT statement review
• Topic 2: Verifying data in I-4GL
• Exercise 13

Unit 9: Using cursors

• Topic 1: An overview of cursors
• Topic 2: Transactions
• Exercise 14
• Topic 3: Using scroll cursors
• Exercise 15

Unit 10: Query-by-Example

• Topic 1: The CONSTRUCT statement
• Topic 2: Preparing the query
• Exercise 16

Unit 11: Deleting and updating rows

• Topic 1: Row locking: FOR UPDATE cursors
• Topic 2: Deleting rows
• Exercise 17
• Topic 3: Updating rows
• Exercise 18

Unit 12: Optimizing applications

• Topic 1: Using PREPARE to optimize applications
• Exercise 19
• Topic 2: Scroll cursors and stale data
• Exercise 20

Unit 13: Arrays

• Topic 1: Forms that use arrays
• Exercise 21
• Topic 2: The INPUT ARRAY statement
• Exercise 22
• Topic 3: INPUT ARRAY clauses
• Topic 4: Displaying arrays
• Topic 5: Pop-up windows
• Exercise 23

Unit 14: Reports

• Topic 1: Creating a report driver
• Exercise 24
• Topic 2: The REPORT function
• Exercise 25
• Topic 3: Built-in formatting functions
• Topic 4: Two reports from one SELECT
• Topic 5: Using variables to name output files

Unit 15: Informix 4GL applications as Web services

• Topic 1: Introduction to Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Web services
• Topic 2: Configuring a system for Web services
• Topic 3: Using I-4GL Web service utilities
• Exercise 26