Course 8396: Three days; Instructor-led

Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students must have:

• A working knowledge of Microsoft® Windows®

• 9x/NT.

• A basic knowledge of accounting terms and processes.

• A good working knowledge of SQL Server.

• Some experience with SQL Server.

• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Visual Basic.

Microsoft Certified Professional Exams
No Microsoft Certified Professional exams are associated with this course currently.

Course Outline
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the basic concepts and architecture of Tools for Visual Basic.

Main Topics

• Understand the prerequisites and goals for the course.

• Understand The Benefits of using Microsoft Solomon Tools for Visual Basic.

• Understand what programs are running when using Microsoft Solomon.

• Understand the roles of the Microsoft Solomon Parent and the data entry, maintenance, and process windows.

• Have a basic introduction to the Microsoft Solomon Kernel.

• Have a model for setting up the development environment.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Create an environment for development.

• Describe the components of Tools for Visual Basic and their general function.

Chapter 1: Starting a Tools for Visual Basic Project

This chapter discusses the importance of planning prior to an installation. Topics covered include what to do in pre-planning and references technical bulletins. Implementation plans are discussed as well as a look at the hardware and software requirements for Microsoft Solomon.

Main Topics

• How to start a new Tools for Visual Basic project.

• Understand the use of the Visual Basic Project Template .

Lab: Create and New Tools for Visual Basic Project

• Using the template provided, create a Visual Basic project that is ready for Tools for Visual Basic.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Set up new Tools for Visual Basic projects.

• Understand the components of the template.

Chapter 2: Creating a Program with One 'Normal' Level

This chapter covers the creation of a program that performs simple maintenance (insert, update and delete) and navigation on rows in a database table, one row at a time.

Main Topics

• How to add a "Normal Level" to a Tools for Visual Basic Program.

• Understand the concept of levels.

• Learn how a "Normal Level" is implemented.

• Learn the Microsoft Solomon API calls needed to register your program with the Microsoft Solomon Kernel.

• Explore data navigation provided by the Microsoft Solomon Kernel.

Lab: Create a Program with a Normal Level

• Implement a normal level to navigate and maintain a table in the Microsoft Solomon database one row at a time.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Implement a normal level program to maintain one row from the database at a time.

Chapter 3: Adding a New Table

This chapter covers the database objects that must be created to fully implement a new table in the Microsoft Solomon database.

Lessons

• How to add a new table to the Microsoft Solomon database.

• Learn the Required Database Objects for adding a new table.

• Understand Naming Requirements for Tables and Indexes.

• Learn the Structure for Stored Procedures used by the Microsoft Solomon Kernel.

Lab: Adding a New Table

• Using the tools provided, create and implement a new table in the Microsoft Solomon database.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Use the Record Maintenance, Field Maintenance, and Dictionary Browse programs.

• Create a new table.

• Create a unique index for the table.

• Create a stored procedure that the Microsoft Solomon Kernel will use to maintain the table.

Chapter 4: Adding a Detail Level

This chapter covers the setup and implementation if a spreadsheet in a Tools for Visual Basic program that maintains an entire result set form the database.

Main Topics

• Learn what a "detail" level is and how it works.

• Implement a "detail" level, using the SAFGrid control.

Lab: Adding a Detail Level

• Implement the table created in Chapter 4 in a spreadsheet as a child of the Customer table.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Set up a Detail level in Tools for Visual Basic programs.

• Understand the steps necessary to correctly program a Parent-Child relationship.

Chapter 5: Adding a Possible Values Lookup

This chapter focuses on the importance of giving the user an easy to use interface for look-ups. A complete Possible Values window will be implemented.

Main Topics

• Learn the properties required for a possible values (F3) lookup.

• How to format the Possible Values window.

• How to Use the Possible Values Import program.

Lab: Add a Possible Values Look-up

• Learn the properties required for a possible values (F3) lookup.

• How to format the Possible Values window.

• How to Use the Possible Values Import program.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Understand the relationship between a Possible Values definition and the stored procedure used to retrieve rows.

• Use the Possible Values Import program.

• Implement a Possible Values window.

Chapter 6: Adding a Second Table to a Detail Level

This chapter gives you information about how to add an additional table to the detail level created in Chapter 6. The addition of the table facilitates an the ability to join additional information into the spreadsheet.

Main Topics

• How to add a secondary table to a detail level.

• Creating an SQL Statement that Joins the tables in a query.

• How to populate the secondary buffer when a value changes.

Lab: Adding a Second Table to a Detail Level

• Join an additional table into the spreadsheet.

• Add controls to display data from the joined table.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Make a join in a stored procedure to include an additional table.

• Understand the programming requirements to implement the join.

• Retrieve data from the joined table when new rows are inserted into the spreadsheet.

Chapter 7: Starting a New Project

This chapter is a review of the concepts presented in Chapter 2. A new Tools for Visual Basic project will be created for use in subsequent chapters.

Main Topics

• How to start a new Tools for Visual Basic project .

• Understand the use of the Visual Basic Project Template.

Lab: Create and New Tools for Visual Basic Project

• Using the template provided, create a Visual Basic project that is ready for Tools for Visual Basic.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Set up new Tools for Visual Basic projects.

• Understand the components of the template.

Chapter 8: Adding a Detail Level

This chapter presents many of the same functions covered in Chapter 5. The main difference is in this implementation the detail level is the first level in the program.

Main Topics

• Add a detail level to a Tools for Visual Basic project when it is the first level (LEVEL0).

• Implement an indexed spreadsheet.

Lab: Adding Files to the Project and Code to the Form_Load Event

• Add the necessary files to the project to set the Microsoft Solomon Kernel framework.

• Add program code to the form_load event and set properties to describe the program to the Microsoft Solomon Kernel.

Lab: Finishing the Detail Level

• Add controls to the form.

• Set control properties to facilitate database navigation and updates.

• Implement properties to identify the "key" field in the spreadsheet.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Create and implement a table maintenance program using an indexed spreadsheet.

Chapter 9: Adding an Unbound Non-String Control

This chapter focuses on adding controls that are used to store user selections and additional information that will be used by the processing portion of a program. The control is not bound to a field in the database. The focus is on the programming steps to implement the control on the form when it is not in a spreadsheet.

Main Topics

• Learn how the Microsoft Solomon Kernel links controls to buffer variables.

• Learn how to add a Microsoft Solomon custom data control that is not attached to a field from any tables in the database.

• Learn to use the Microsoft Solomon Code Inspector utility.

Lab: Adding an Unbound Non-String Control

• Add a control to the project form the Visual Basic Toolbar.

• Add program code to implement the control.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Understand how the Microsoft Solomon Kernel binds controls.

• Know the difference between bound and unbound controls.

• Use Code Inspector to check for programming problems.

• Paste controls in the project from the Visual Basic Toolbar.

Chapter 10: Adding an Unbound String Control

This chapter focuses on the steps needed to implement an unbound control in a spreadsheet that uses the Microsoft Solomon SAFGrid control. Additionally, the exercise points out basic differences in programming for non-string controls and string controls.

Main Topics

• Learn how to add a Microsoft Solomon custom data control that displays a string value that is not attached to any fields from tables in the database.

• Learn how to implement an unbound control in a spreadsheet.

• Learn why a user defined type (UDT) is required when the unbound control holds a string value.

Lab: Adding an Unbound String Control

• Add a control to the project from the Visual Basic toolbar.

• Add program code to implement the unbound control.

• Create an new User Defined Type (UDT).

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Add unbound string controls to a project.

• Set the starting values for the control.

• Add additional space to the memory array to store the unbound values.

• Use Code Inspector to check the control settings.

Chapter 11: Manipulating Toolbar Buttons

This chapter covers a Microsoft Solomon API function call that allows a straight forward way for a programmer to manipulate program behavior by turning toolbar buttons on and off.

Main Topics

• Add a control to the project from the Visual Basic toolbar.

• Add program code to implement the unbound control.

• Create an new User Defined Type (UDT).

Lab: Manipulating Toolbar Buttons

• Turn off buttons to save, delete and insert rows.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Use the API call to change toolbar button behavior.

• Control toolbar button behavior for each level in a program.

Chapter 12: Working With Memory Arrays

This chapter explores how to access, navigate, and update the memory array from a Tools for Visual Basic program.

Main Topics

• Learn how memory arrays are accessed in the program.

• Learn how memory arrays are created.

• Learn Microsoft Solomon Kernel API calls to navigate memory arrays.

• Learn how to manipulate and update data in memory arrays.

Lab: Working with Memory Arrays

• Add a command button from the Visual Basic toolbar.

• Add processing code to Navigate and update the memory array.

• Add code to refresh the memory array to show the changed data.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Use Microsoft Solomon API functions related to memory arrays.

• Access memory arrays.

• Navigate through memory arrays.

• Change and update data in a memory array.

• Display changed data in the spreadsheet.

Chapter 13: Updating Rows in the Database

The chapter explores the interaction of the Tools for Visual Basic program and database engine. The Microsoft Solomon Kernel has a comprehensive set of API calls to create result sets, retrieve rows from the result set, update rows in the database, delete rows from the database, and insert rows into the database.

Main Topics

• Learn how to retrieve and update rows in the database, using Microsoft Solomon Kernel API calls.

• Explore the Microsoft Solomon Kernel API calls for performing floating point math.

• Learn Microsoft Solomon Kernel API calls for database manipulation.

• Learn Microsoft Solomon Kernel API calls Start and End a database transaction.

Lab: Updating Rows in the Database

• Add code to start and end a database transaction.

• Add code to fetch rows from the database.

• Add code to update rows in the database.

• Add code to calculate using Microsoft Solomon API functions for floating point math.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Start and end a database transaction.

• Use floating point math API functions.

• Create a result set on the database engine.

• Fetch rows from the result set to the program buffers.

• Update rows in the database.

Chapter 14: Using the Process Status Form

This chapter explores methods for keeping the user informed of events that are happening when a process is running and gives feedback on the progress of the process. The Microsoft Solomon Kernel provides an easy to implement API call to facilitate this communication to the user. The same API call is used to communicate information to an event log.

Main Topics

• Learn how display a status window while a process is running.

• Learn to log events and errors during a process.

Lab: Using the Process Status Form

• Add code to open the Status Form.

• Add code to communicate progress and activity to the user.

• Add code to close the Status Form.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Open and close the status form.

• Communicate progress and events to the user.

• Log information to the Microsoft Solomon Event Log.

Chapter 15: Giving Users Access

This chapter explores proper naming of programs, creation of the executable file, adding a program to the Microsoft Solomon Menu, and integrating new windows into Microsoft Solomon Security.

Main Topics

• Learn how to properly name a Tools for Visual Basic program.

• Learn how to make the executable program.

• Learn how to add programs and reports to the Classic Microsoft Solomon menu.

• Learn how to add program and reports to the new Microsoft Solomon Menu dashboard.

• Learn How to implement security in a Tools for Visual Basic program.

Lab: Naming Programs and Creating Executable Files

• Add a properly formatted form caption to programs.

• Create properly named executable files from a Tools for Visual Basic program.

• Add windows and reports to the window table to enable security administration.

Lab: Adding Windows and Reports to the Microsoft Solomon Classic Menu

• Add a module to the Classic menu modules list.

• Add windows to the Classic menu.

• Add reports to the Classic menu.

Lab: Adding Windows and Reports to the Microsoft Solomon Dashboard Menu

• Add modules, using Modules Maintenance.

• Add Windows and Reports, using Window Maintenance.

• Create a custom menu, using Window Category Maintenance.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Create properly names executable files form a Tools for Visual Basic program.

• Add new programs and reports to the Microsoft Solomon security administration facility.

• Add modules and menu items to the Classic menu.

• Add modules and menu items to the Dashboard menu.

Chapter 16: Printing Reports

This chapter explores the facility provided by Microsoft Solomon to make the task of printing reports an easy exercise for both the user and programmer.

Main Topics

• Learn how reports are printed in Microsoft Solomon.

• Learn How to add a new report Microsoft Solomon's report control table.

• Explore the processing logic of the Report Options Interpreter program (ROI.EXE).

• Learn how to print a report from within a Tools for Visual Basic program.

Lab: Adding and Printing Reports

• Add a new report to the RptControl table.

• Run a report from the ROI.EXE user interface.

• Add a command button from the Visual Basic toolbar.

• Add code to print a report from a Tools for Visual Basic Program.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Add new reports to Microsoft Solomon.

• Understand the ROI.EXE processing flow.

• Print a report from a Tools for Visual Basic program.

Chapter 17: Working with the Microsoft Solomon Object Model

This chapter has a brief introduction to the Microsoft Solomon Object Model.

Microsoft Solomon is equipped with a Common Object Model (COM). The Common Object Model provides programmers The ability to manipulate Tools for Visual Basic programs from any program or application that is COM capable.

Main Topics

• Learn how to instantiate and use the Microsoft Solomon Common Object Model (COM).

• Learn how to add "drill down" capability from a Tools for Visual Basic Tools program to another Tools for Visual Basic program.

• Explore manipulation of controls in the instantiated program.

Lab: Instantiate a Microsoft Solomon Program

• Add a command button to the window.

• Declare a Microsoft Solomon object variable (SIVApplication).

• Add code to instantiate the Microsoft Solomon Customer Maintenance program.

Lab: Manipulate the Instantiated Object Variable

• Add code to retrieve a row from the customer table.

Lab: Give Control to the User

• Add code to release the connection to the instantiated object, and allow the user to control the object.

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Create an SIVApplication variable.

• Instantiate an instance of a Microsoft Solomon program from within a Tools for Visual Basic program.

• Instantiate an instance of a Microsoft Solomon program from an external application.

• Manipulate instantiated object variables.

• Give control of the object over to the user.

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