FoxPro

The course is designed for individuals who are new to Visual FoxPro but have a good grounding in FoxPro (FP). Delegates may be users of existing database who need to build local departmental applications or reporting modules; members of a programming team planning to implement a large database application; or technical evaluators looking at the place of Visual FoxPro as part of an information strategy.

1. Introducing Database Management Systems (DBMS)
2. Introducing the Visual FoxPro Environment
3. Errors & Debugging
4. Report Writing
5. Query Designer
6. SQL Commands
7. Creating Tables Using the Database Container
8. Database Design
9. Rushmore
10. Implementing Validation in Database Container
11. Wizards
12. Forms
13. Properties, Events and Methods
14. Understand Form Functionality
15. Work with the Grid
16. Project and Menu Managers
17. Understand the Object Model
18. Object Oriented Programming
19. Use Object-oriented Programming Commands and Functions
20. Component Gallery
21. Data Buffering and Multi-User Programming

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Module 1: Introducing Database Management Systems (DBMS)

• Introducing Database Management Systems (DBMS)
• Be aware of basic Database Terminology
• Understand the advantage of using a DBMS
• Be aware of the Technical Features of Visual FoxPro

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Module 2: Introducing the Visual FoxPro Environment

• Use the Menu structure
• Understand the Toolbar
• Use the Option window for changing system settings
• Use the View Window
• Use the Browse Window
• Create and Change Indexes on a Table
• Become familiar with the “Right Mouse”
• Use the command window to set system configurations

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Module 3: Errors & Debugging

• Understand the different types of error
• Use the Debug window to see current values
• Use the Debug window to suspend programs
• Use the Trace window to follow program execution and suspend programs
• Use the Watch window to amend variables
• Use the Locals window to display and amend local variables
• Use the Call Stack window to view currently executing programs
• Use Event Tracking and Coverage Logging

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Module 4: Report Writing

• Understand the use and limitations of Report Wizards
• Understand the use of the Report Designer
• Understand, manipulate and format Report Objects
• Select Page Layout options
• Preview report output
• Know how to use the Data Environment
• Be able to use the controls from the Report controls toolbar
• Be able to group data
• Create calculated fields
• Be able to use report variables, user defined functions

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Module 5: Query Designer

• Understand the use of the Query Designer
• Know how to order a query
• Be able to select data using the full range of selection options
• Create multi table queries
• Use equi-joins and outer-joins
• Create calculated fields and use aggregate functions
• Be able to output queries to Graphs and Export Files

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Module 6: SQL Commands

• Use the SELECT command
• Understand the additional functionality not supported by the Query designer.
• Use the CREATE TABLE command
• Use the ALTER TABLE command
• Use the INSERT INTO command
• Use the SQL DELETE and UPDATE commands

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Module 7: Creating Tables Using the Database Container

• Understand the purpose of the Database Container
• Know the Data Types available with VFP
• Create Databases and add Tables
• Use Null values
• Set Indexes and understand their purpose
• Understand the Relationship Types and create Relationships between tables

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Module 8: Database Design

• Know how to eliminate duplicate entries
• Eliminate duplicate relationships
• Setting foreign and primary keys

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Module 9: Rushmore

• Understand the way Rushmore works
• Understand the use of Rushmore
• Know how to set Rushmore on and off

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Module 10: Implementing Validation in Database Container

• Understand the VFP View Window
• Define Field Validations
• Define Record Validations
• Understand the purpose of and be able to define Stored Procedures
• Use the Input Mask and Format properties
• Understand and use Triggers
• Use the Referential Integrity Builder

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Module 11: Wizards

• What are Wizards?
• Identify Wizards likely to be useful in application building
• Use the Report, Form, Import, Documenting and Application Wizards

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Module 12: Forms

• Understand the use of the Form Designer
• Have a basic understanding of Properties, Events and Methods
• Understand the purpose of and how to use the Data Environment
• Know and use the Controls available from the Form Designer
• Understand Bound and Unbound Controls
• Understand Form Properties
• Use compile time constants
• Create Table Navigation Buttons
• Implement Private Data Sessions
• Define HotKeys on a Form
• Implement Form Specific Menus
• Implement Right Click Functionality

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Module 13: Properties, Events and Methods

• Be aware of the types of Base Classes
• Understand Properties, Events, and Methods
• Discuss the Event sequence for a Form
• Understand the Event Model for a Form and its Controls
• Implement Form and Control Methods
• Create User Defined Properties and Methods

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Module 14: Understand Form Functionality

• State the definitions of the data environment, cursor objects, and relation objects
• Create and use data sessions and multiple data sessions
• Create and use page frames
• Create and use form sets
• Save a form as a class or a non-class form
• Explain run-time properties and design-time properties for forms
• Set properties for forms

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Module 15: Work with the Grid

• Define the term Grid and explain its use
• Describe the structure of a Grid control
• Add controls to Grid Columns
• Create one to many Forms with a Grid
• Use Conditional Formatting

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Module 16: Project and Menu Managers

• Understand the use of a Project Manager
• Know the tasks Project Manager can perform and create a project
• Know Standards and Naming Conventions
• Be aware of Menu conventions and application structure
• Be able to create appropriate Menus
• Create Shortcut menus for Right Mouse clicks
• Know how to compile an application

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Module 17: Understand the Object Model

• Define object-oriented programming
• Discuss approaches to software design
• Contrast procedural and object-oriented analysis

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Module 18: Object Oriented Programming

• Object Oriented Terminology
• Referencing Objects with Variables
• Set Properties
• Call Methods
• Understand Object Hierarchy
• Create and Add Objects
• Object Variable Naming Conventions

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Module 19: Use Object-oriented Programming Commands and Functions

• Explain the function of the dot (.) and scope resolution (::) operators
• Use the reference statements: THIS, THISFORM, THISFORMSET, and PARENT
• Use the FUNC...ENDFUNC function
• Use the PROC...ENDPROC procedure
• Use the WITH...ENDWITH command
• Use Read and Clear Events

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Module 20: Component Gallery

• Introduction to VFP visual classes
• Navigate around the Component Gallery
• Use components in an application

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Module 21: Data Buffering and Multi-User Programming

• Review VFP’s Shared Access and Data Locking
• Understand Data Buffering and the different types of Buffering
• Become familiar with the functions that support Data Buffering
• Manage data conflicts
• Understand Transaction Support and the commands that facilitate it

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A familiarity with Windows and FoxPro database concepts is required

The course introduces the key features and functionality of Visual FoxPro with an emphasis on the rapid implementation of database implementation including the use of Visual FoxPro 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. During the course the delegate will develop a complete application which pays attention to usability issues and conforms to Windows design guidelines. Course contents may alter slightly from those stated