• LOV: List of Values
• Dealing with Errors and Problems
• OLE: Object Linking and Embedding
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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Working with Multiple Canvases and Data Blocks
Menu
LOV
Window
Items
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
Content canvas
Master Data Block

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
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Code transferred into box
LOV (list of values)
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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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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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

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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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Simplicity
• 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
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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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
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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LOV: List of Values
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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List of Values (LOV)
• 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
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LOV
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

LOV and Record Groups
Manufacturer code Manufacturer Name
LOV
Define
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
Record
Group
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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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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Creating an LOV

Select the
LOV Wizard
Create

In the Object Navigator , select LOVs

Click on Create in the tool palette
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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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
Enter the query
Check your SQL syntax

R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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
Specify the columns for the LOV

Specify the Return Value 18
Prevents the column from appearing in the LOV manufacturers.manufacturer_code

Enter the return value for the data block
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Assign the Return Item for the Data Block 19

Assign the column to return
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Object Navigator
LOV will have a record group associated with it
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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Record Group
Edit the query through the record group’s property palette
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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Assign the LOV to the Data Block 22
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Assign the LOV to the Data Block 23
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Program the Trigger
Displays the LOV
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Executes the query when the OK button is pressed
An alternative to using <F9>
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

The user can either double-click or press <F9> to launch the LOV
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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Dealing with Errors and Problems
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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Launching a Query 27
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Ending a Form Without Entering a Query 28
FRM-40353 Error
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Attempting a Query While Not in Query Mode 29
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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FRM-40301 Error

Overcoming Problems with Triggers
• 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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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Add and program the
WHEN-NEW-FORM-INSTANCE and
WHEN-NEW-RECORD-INSTANCE triggers
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Add and program the
WHEN-MOUSE-CLICK trigger
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
Note: This was taken from another form module

R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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Local variables needed to capture the error code and launch the alert
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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Re-enters query mode after a prior query
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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Eventually...
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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Content canvas
Tab canvas

OLE: Object Linking and Embedding
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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

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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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

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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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

OLE
Oracle Form
Module
Container
(embedding)
Link
Excel (server)
Spreadsheet (object)
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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

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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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Create the OLE Container

Select the Property Palette
OLE Container

Create the OLE Container with the OLE button in the tool palette
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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Change the Resize Property 43
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Assign a File or Application to the OLE 44
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Opening an Existing File


Select the file

Display an icon in the OLE container
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R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

Double click on the icon
During Runtime 46
Quick Time Player
(designated Windows plug-in) launched to play the movie file
R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento

R. Ching, Ph.D. • MIS Area • California State University, Sacramento
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