PowerBuilder Reverse engineering process

Chapter 16 Working with PowerBuilder

PowerBuilder Reverse engineering process

When you reverse engineer objects from PowerBuilder, you can select to reverse engineer libraries, files or directories.

Reverse engineering libraries

This mode allows you to select a PowerBuilder target/application from the Target/Application dropdown listbox. When a target or an application is selected, the libraries used by the target or application are automatically displayed in the list. By default all objects of all libraries are selected. You can deselect objects and libraries before starting reverse engineering.

If PowerBuilder is not installed on your machine, the Target/Application list remains empty.

Reverse engineering source files

This mode allows you to select PowerBuilder object source files to reverse engineer. The extension of the source file determines the type of the reversed object.

You can right-click the files to reverse engineer and select the Edit command to view the content of your files. To use this command you have to associate the file extension with an editor in the General Options\Editor dialog box.

Reverse engineering directories

This mode allows you to select a PowerBuilder directory to reverse engineer. When you select a directory, you cannot select individual target or application. Use the Change button to select a directory.

To reverse engineer PowerBuilder objects:

Select Language→Reverse Engineer PowerBuilder to display the Reverse Engineer PowerBuilder dialog box.

Select a file, library or directory in the Reverse Engineering box.

When available, select a target or application in the dropdown listbox.

Click OK.

A progress box appears. If the model in which you are reverse engineering already contains data, the Merge Models dialog box appears.

For more information on merging models, see section Merging Models, in chapter Comparing and Merging Models in the General Features Guide.

The classes are added to your model. They are visible in the diagram and in the Browser. They are also listed in the Reverse page of the Output window, located in the lower part of the main window.