About this book

Audience

This book is for anyone using PowerBuilder® to build applications.

How to use this book

This book provides information that enables you to start using PowerBuilder:

Part 1 is an overview of the PowerBuilder development environment.
Part 2 is a tutorial in which you build your first PowerBuilder application.
Part 3 is a tutorial in which you create a JSP target containing a Web/JSP DataWindow page and use Web DataWindows.
Part 4 is a tutorial in which you create and run a JSP Web target that includes client pages for a Web service.

Related documents

This table lists the information in the PowerBuilder documentation set, grouped by topic:

Topic	Book	Description
Installation	Installation Guide	Tells you how to install PowerBuilder
Introduction and use of PowerBuilder features	Getting Started	Introduces you to PowerBuilder and provides a tutorial you can step through to learn the basics
Programmer’s information	User’s Guide	Tells how to use the painters to build objects in PowerBuilder
	Application Techniques	Presents collections of techniques for implementing many common application features, along with deployment details and tips for cross-platform and international development and deployment

Topic	Book	Description
	DataWindow Programmer’s Guide	Explains how to use DataWindows in all the supported environments (PowerBuilder, Web pages, Java) and describes programming techniques for accessing, displaying, manipulating, and updating data
Web and JSP targets information	Working with Web and JSP Targets	Tells how to build, deploy, debug, and run PowerBuilder Web targets
	Web and JSP Target Reference	Provides reference information for objects and classes in the Web Target object model
Reference information	PowerScript Reference	Describes syntax and usage information for the PowerScript language, including variables, expressions, statements, functions, and events
	DataWindow Reference	Provides reference information for the DataWindow object, including properties and functions for expressions; syntax for accessing properties and data; and reference information for the methods, events, and properties of DataWindow controls and DataStores in all supported environments
	Objects and Controls	Lists properties, events, and related functions for PowerBuilder system objects and controls
	PowerBuilder Native Interface (PBNI) Programmer’s Guide and Reference	Contains how-to and reference information for using PBNI to create PowerBuilder extensions and interact with C++ applications
	PowerBuilder Extension Reference	Contains reference information for PowerBuilder extension modules created with PBNI (such as PBDOM, EJBClient, and Web services)
Communicating with a database	Connecting to Your Database	Tells how to connect to a database from PowerBuilder; describes how to set up, define, and manage database connections accessed through the ODBC interface or one of the native database interfaces
	Connection Reference	Includes procedures for preparing, defining, establishing, maintaining, and troubleshooting your database connections

Other sources of information

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.

Sybase certifications on the Web

Technical documentation at the Sybase Web site is updated frequently.

Finding the latest information on product certifications

Point your Web browser to Technical Documents.
Click Certification Report.
In the Certification Report filter select a product, platform, and timeframe and then click Go.
Click a Certification Report title to display the report.

Finding the latest information on component certifications

Point your Web browser to Availability and Certification Reports.
Either select the product family and product under Search by Base Product; or select the platform and product under Search by Platform.
Select Search to display the availability and certification report for the selection.

Creating a personalized view of the Sybase Web site (including support pages)

Set up a MySybase profile. MySybase is a free service that allows you to create a personalized view of Sybase Web pages.

Point your Web browser to Technical Documents.
Click MySybase and create a MySybase profile.

Sybase EBFs and software maintenance

You can find information about EBFs and software maintenance on the Sybase Web site.

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.

If you need help

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.