Visual FoxPro 7.0 Enterprise

Target Audience
This course is intended for Visual FoxPro developers who wish to create and distribute mission-critical or enterprise applications. It teaches the use of Microsoft Visual FoxPro in a multi-user environment and as a front end to client-server or other data sources. An emphasis is placed on using the Visual Design Tools as much as possible and on the use of Visual Classes for rapid implementation of functionality.

Pre-Requisites
Before attending this course, students must have the following pre-requisites:A working knowledge of Windows, Microsoft Visual FoxPro and good practical experience with the xBase language.Knowledge of relational database design concepts.Attendance on F1'sVisual FoxPro 7 Intensivecourse is recommended.

Purpose
At the end of the course, students will be able to develop multi-user systems, apply object orientated programming concepts to VFP and take advantage of its functionality; utilize the core commands and functions of OOP, create classes and subclasses; develop forms with additional functionality, add methods to control a grid; manage and control data in multi-user situations; and use OLE with VFP, Word and Excel.

Course outline

1. Remote Views
2. Remote Data
3. Use Object Oriented Programming Commands and Functions
4. Visual Classes
5. Use Visual Classes
6. Component Gallery
7. OLE with VFP
8. VFP as an OLE Client
9. ActiveX (OCX) Controls
10. VFP as an OLE Server
11. Dynamic-Link Libraries
12. Web Components
13. Creating & Distributing Executables
14. Compiling Help
15. Visual SourceSafe
16. Tips Tricks and Techniques

Module 1:Remote Views

• Define the term client/server
• Create an ODBC Connection to a
• Remote Access Data Source
• Create Remote Views
• Use and understand the importance of parameterized views
• Specify Update Criteria for Remote Views
• Specify Database Container Properties for Remote Views
• Know when and how to use Offline Views

Module 2:Remote Data

• Use SQL pass-through commands to:
• View local and remote data
• Manage connections
• Retrieve, update, delete, and insert data on a server
• Use ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) to:
• Create Recordsets
• Connect to OLEDB providers.

Module 3:Use Object Oriented Programming Commands and Functions

• Explain and use the CREATE CLASS and DEFINE CLASS (Add Object clause) commands
• Use the CREATEOBJECT() function and ADDOBJECT() method

Module 4:Visual Classes

• Define and describe visual classes
• Define and describe the container hierarchy
• Describe the difference between base classes and subclasses
• Explain how subclassing works
• Create classes and subclasses
• Create reusable classes
• Create class libraries
• Map data types and fields to classes

Module 5:Use Visual Classes

• Creating Visual Classes from Form Objects
• Creating Visual Classes in the Class Designer
• Using Visual Classes in the Form Designer
• Overriding inherited Properties and Methods
• Protect Properties and Methods
• Understand Manager Classes
• Use Access and Assign methods

Module 6:Component Gallery

• Some useful tools
• Setting up a development configuration
• Configure Intellisense

Module 7:OLE with VFP

• Recognize the features of insertable OLE objects: linking and embedding, automation, visual editing, and drag and drop
• Use an OLE Object in a Form

Module 8:VFP as an OLE Client

• Define and describe the features and benefits of OLE Automation
• Use Visual FoxPro to control Microsoft Word
• Use Visual FoxPro to control Microsoft Excel
• Use Visual FoxPro to control Outlook
• Use Visual FoxPro to control Internet Explorer

Module 9:ActiveX (OCX) Controls

• Use ActiveX controls in a Form
• Use progress bars, sliders and outline controls
• Use the Rich Textbox control
• Use the Multimedia control
• Subclass ActiveX controls

Module 10:VFP as an OLE Server

• Control VFP from other applications
• Build a standalone VFP OLE Server
• Create .COM DLLs
• Create distributed COM components
• Use .NET components
• Use event building techniques

Module 11:Dynamic-Link Libraries

• Describe the purpose and benefits of DLLs
• Declare and use a DLL in Visual FoxPro
• Pass a NULL pointer to a DLL procedure
• Describe the difference between ByVal and ByRef
• Use an alias and use handles

Module 12:Web Components

• Create HTML pages from tables, reports and forms
• Understanding XML
• Use XML functions
• Understand Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP)
• Use SOAP tools.

Module 13:Creating & Distributing Executables

• Build the Executable
• Use the Setup Wizard
• Distribute OCX controls

Module 14:Compiling Help

• Select a help system
• Use a Windows Help system
• Use an HTML Help system
• Use fonts and styles
• Use graphics
• Use Context Jumps

Module 15:Visual SourceSafe

• Add Projects to SourceSafe Control
• Check files In and Out
• Understand the consequences of checking in and out
• Track changes
• Roll Back to a previous Version

Module 16:Tips Tricks and Techniques

• Uncover Useful Miscellaneous features
• Get ahead with Hot Performance Hints