The VFE TreeView Control

A recent addition to Visual FoxExpress is the new cDataTree class library. The cDataTree class library contains a data-driven TreeView control and supporting classes that have been integrated with the rest of the Visual FoxExpress framework. In this session, Mike will explain how to make use of the TreeView control in your applications, including how each level of the Tree can be customized as necessary.

The code behind the TreeView class relies heavily on the use of event binding. In this session we’ll also take a look at the implementation details of this approach as a way to provide insight into using event binding with other controls.

Introduction to Active FoxPro Pages

Recently F1 Technologies began distributing ProLib’s Active FoxPro Pages. AFP is an internet server extension that processes program code inside an HTML page. Like Microsoft's ASP technology, it is a script engine for xBase code that let's you dynamically present your data on the internet. In this session, we’ll cover AFP from creating simple pages to creating actual web applications.

Using VFE with Active FoxPro Pages

F1 Technologies has been looking for the right fit in terms of web technology and VFE. We’ve found it in AFP. In this session we’ll cover how to use AFP with VFE’s business objects and other classes. We’ll also introduce a number of classes being added to the base VFE framework for the purposes of rendering and processing HTML.

Making Use of VFE's Dynamic SQL

VFE’s Dynamic SQL features give the framework enormously powerful data retrieval options not found in other environments. In this session Mike will cover the basics of dynamic SQL, the related data dictionary properties, the classes involved in dynamic SQL and ways to customize, extend and take advantage of dynamic SQL in your applications.

Data Access in VFE

There are many way to access data in a Visual FoxExpress application. The access techniques can very based upon the database used by an application. It is amazing how interesting datasets can be retrieved from what appears to be ordinary table structures. This session will explore the many ways to access data in a VFE application. The access methods will leverage both the client and the server.

Team Development with VFE

At some point in most developers’ careers they need to work with at least one other developer/programmer on a project. Special design consideration must be given to the applications that will be developed by multiple people especially when it comes to working with a framework. In this session we will begin by discussing the design considerations necessary when working in a team environment and move on to delegation of responsibility. We will finish the session by talking about source control and communication mechanisms. Please keep in mind that the concepts discussed in this session will benefit the single member team almost as much as the multiple member teams.

The Little Things Mean A Lot

There are many little features in a Visual FoxExpress application that developers either don’t know about or have forgotten. This session will surface as many of these features as can be covered in the allotted session time. The features will start with the most recent version of Visual FoxExpress and work backward.

An Introduction to Crystal Reports

This session will examine the Crystal Reports report development environment, with an emphasis on using Crystal Reports with VFP and, specifically VFE applications. It will concentrate on Crystal Reports XI, the latest version from Business Objects, but will include information applicable to versions 8.5 and above. We will cover creating and modifying reports and sub-reports, using database, parameter, formula, and running total fields. We will demonstrate how to change the database fields to keep your report in synch with changes to your VFP cursor. We will demonstrate using Crystal Script to write formulas for common report events and creating user function libraries to perform complex formatting tasks easily.

Using Crystal VFE

This session will show how to integrate Crystal Reports with Visual FoxExpress projects using the Crystal VFE classes and wizards. We will cover creating crystal output objects, and Crystal report forms and crystal sub-reports within the VFE IDE, and using VFE Business Objects, Cursors, and Data Environments. It will also provide some tips and tricks that will help you avoid the “gotchas” and create attractive and powerful reports with CVFE.  Finally, we will discuss distributing the Crystal Reports runtime with your VFE application.

Debugging Essentials with a VFE Twist

Each developer has written bugs in code that annoy customers and are difficult to track down. The Visual FoxPro Debugger is a powerful tool if it is used the correct way and can be frustrating when you don’t. Naturally, the key to a successful debugging session is to take advantage of the power, know some key tips and tricks, and know how to avoid the traps. This session will help developers leverage the power of the Visual FoxPro debugger and show different techniques to test out a VFE application. Two of the many techniques will demonstrate how to test components standalone (without the VFE environment), and another to record when property values change, methods are executed, and when events fire.

Using Case Tool Techniques

This session will explore how to use a Case tool to improve your productivity and generally remove the tedious tasks from our lives as we design and create databases. Case tools provide you a powerful tool to create databases, tables, views, and relations, than both Visual FoxPro (for the native database) or SQL Server or other database server (for remote data). It is also a nice way to communicate your design to your team members, technical partners, and even end users who want to create ad hoc reporting. This session will demonstrate the techniques using the latest version of Xcase from Resolution, but the concepts and the techniques will be applicable to other Case tools as well.

Integrating Different Developer Tools with VFE

This session will show how you can integrate developer tools you can find on the web for free and others which are commercial products into the Visual FoxPro development environment. The idea for this session is to make you more productive as a developer. We will also explore how you can expand upon the VFE builders and integrate your own builders and property editors into the development environment.

Calling VFE Business Objects from .NET

This session will be an overview of re-engineering a legacy terminal based system (green screens) using SQL Server, Visual C++, C# (.NET framework), Visual FoxPro 9.0 and VFE. Techniques for developing touch-screen displays will also be shown as well as an explanation of why sockets were chosen as the main transport for data. The application is a commodities system used to settle corn contracts and spot price payments at a local ethanol plant.

Accessing non-Table Based Data from VFE

Using VFE to access non-table based data (such as XML Web Services and Socket DLL COM objects) is made possible by leveraging the abstract design of VFE's cursor classes to "wrap" existing logic. This session will demonstrate how Orion Group has used this approach to access data in legacy custom systems, accounting packages and vendor's web services.

Open Mic

The Open Mic sessions are a planned opportunities for all of the attendees and speakers to get together and exchange tips, tricks and ideas. These sessions are a perfect opportunity to ask questions, start discussions or show off features in your applications.