This guide is for programmers building applications with PocketBuilder™.
This guide assumes that you have a basic familiarity with Windows CE (Windows Mobile) devices. Although your development work in PocketBuilder is done on a desktop machine, you design applications for use on Windows CE devices such as the Pocket PC or Smartphone.
For information about developing applications for Microsoft Windows CE platforms, see the Microsoft Web site. You can also find helpful information at the Pocket PC Developer Network Web site.
PocketBuilder is very similar to PowerBuilder®, the Sybase® 4GL development tool for desktop applications and application server components.
If you have never used PowerBuilder, use this book to learn some concepts and principles of programming in PowerScript®, the language used in both PowerBuilder and PocketBuilder, as well as programming techniques you can use with controls in windows and DataWindow® objects. This book also describes how to manage database connections and provides a reference to database connection parameters and preferences.
If you are a PowerBuilder user, the following chapters are probably the most useful:
PocketBuilder documentation The PocketBuilder documentation set also includes the following manuals:
Introduction to PocketBuilder - Provides an overview of PocketBuilder features and the PocketBuilder development environment and a tutorial that leads the new user through the basic process of creating and deploying PocketBuilder applications.
User’s Guide - Gives an overview of the PocketBuilder development environment and explains how to use the interface. Describes basic techniques for building the objects in a PocketBuilder application, including windows, menus, DataWindow objects, and user-defined objects. An appendix summarizes the differences between PocketBuilder and PowerBuilder.
PocketBuilder reference set The PocketBuilder reference set is made up of four manuals that are based on PowerBuilder documentation:
Connection Reference - Describes the database parameters and preferences you use to connect to a database in PocketBuilder.
DataWindow Reference - Lists the DataWindow functions and properties and includes the syntax for accessing properties and data in DataWindow objects.
Objects and Controls - Describes the system-defined objects and their default properties, functions, and events.
PowerScript Reference - Describes syntax and usage for the PowerScript language including variables, expressions, statements, events, and functions.
Online Help Reference information for PowerScript properties, events, and functions is available in the online Help with annotations indicating which objects and methods are applicable to PocketBuilder.
SQL Anywhere® Studio documentation PocketBuilder is tightly integrated with SQL Anywhere (formerly Adaptive Server Anywhere), UltraLite®, and MobiLink, which are components of SQL Anywhere Studio. You can install these products from the PocketBuilder setup program. For an introduction to these products, see Chapter 1 in the Introduction to PocketBuilder.
The PocketBuilder installation provides a Code Examples workspace with targets that illustrate many of the product's features. Commented text inside events of target objects helps explain the purpose of the sample code. The example workspace is installed in the Code Examples subdirectory under the main PocketBuilder directory.
You can find more sample PocketBuilder applications and techniques in the PocketBuilder project on the Sybase CodeXchange Web site. There is a link to this page on the Windows Start menu at Program Files>Sybase>PocketBuilder 2.0>Code Samples.
If you have not logged in to MySybase, you must log in to the Sybase Universal Login page to access CodeXchange. If you do not have a MySybase account, you can sign up. MySybase is a free service that provides a personalized portal into the Sybase Web site.
Use the Sybase Getting Started CD, the SyBooks CD, and the Sybase Product Manuals Web site to learn more about your product:
The Getting Started CD contains release bulletins and installation guides in PDF format, and may also contain other documents or updated information not included on the SyBooks CD. It is included with your software. To read or print documents on the Getting Started CD, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can download at no charge from the Adobe Web site using a link provided on the CD.
The SyBooks CD contains product manuals and is included with your software. The Eclipse-based SyBooks browser allows you to access the manuals in an easy-to-use, HTML-based format.
Some documentation may be provided in PDF format, which you can access through the PDF directory on the SyBooks CD. To read or print the PDF files, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Refer to the SyBooks Installation Guide on the Getting Started CD, or the README.txt file on the SyBooks CD for instructions on installing and starting SyBooks.
The Sybase Product Manuals Web site is an online version of the SyBooks CD that you can access using a standard Web browser. In addition to product manuals, you will find links to EBFs/Maintenance, Technical Documents, Case Management, Solved Cases, newsgroups, and the Sybase Developer Network.
To access the Sybase Product Manuals Web site, go to Product Manuals.
Finding the latest information on EBFs and software
maintenance
Point your Web browser to the Sybase Support Page.
Select EBFs/Maintenance. If prompted, enter your MySybase user name and password.
Select a product.
Specify a time frame and click Go. A list of EBF/Maintenance releases is displayed.
Padlock icons indicate that you do not have download authorization for certain EBF/Maintenance releases because you are not registered as a Technical Support Contact. If you have not registered, but have valid information provided by your Sybase representative or through your support contract, click Edit Roles to add the “Technical Support Contact” role to your MySybase profile.
Click the Info icon to display the EBF/Maintenance report, or click the product description to download the software.
The formatting conventions used in this manual are:
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variable or file name |
When used in descriptive text and syntax descriptions, oblique font indicates:
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File>Save |
Menu names and menu items are displayed in plain text. The greater than symbol (>) shows you how to navigate menu selections. For example, File>Save indicates “select Save from the File menu.” |
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Each Sybase installation that has purchased a support contract has one or more designated people who are authorized to contact Sybase Technical Support. If you cannot resolve a problem using the manuals or online help, please have the designated person contact Sybase Technical Support or the Sybase subsidiary in your area.
