The Easy Way to Create 3-Tier

DataWindows for PowerBuilder

Applications
Philippos Antonopoulos, AArdVark, isc SA
December 2-3, 2024
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•Introduction
Overview of client/server to 3-tier migration process in PowerBuilder applications

•Dynamic Retrieve and Update of DWs

Techniques for dynamically retrieving and updating 3-tier DataWindows

•Dropdown DataWindows
Handling of dropdown DataWindow retrievals dynamically

•User-Centric DataWindow Creation

Enabling users to create DataWindows at runtime and save them in the database

•Q&A Session
  WMS Implementation (Appeon PowerBuilder,
SnapDevelop, SAP ASE, B4X)
 RF Api system (DIAS payments)
 KYC System for Brokage Company (Appeon
PowerBuilder, SnapDevelop, MS SQL)
 PowerObjectErp migration from client/server to
3tier
 API for the connections of Synergy with PO Erp
Philippos Antonopoulos

linkedin.com/in/philippos-
antonopoulos-8805b4251
 Appeon PowerBuilder
 C#
 SQL
 B4X
AArdvark ISC SA
 AArdvark ISC SA, established in 1996, is a premier
Greek IT company dedicated to providing advanced
technology solutions. Our core values:
 Reliability, quality, and customer satisfaction guide
our work in areas such as value-added IT
equipment resale, IT infrastructure design, and
custom software development, including our
PowerObject ERP system. We also prioritize
security by partnering with leading vendors like
Watchguard and Darktrace to safeguard our clients'
information systems. Our mission is to empower
businesses with innovative solutions that enhance
efficiency and user experience
 Migrating an ERP system to a 3-tier architecture can significantly
enhance scalability, maintainability, and performance.
 This approach divides the application into three layers: the presentation
layer (client), the application layer (server), and the database layer,
allowing for better resource management and modular development.

 Benefits of Migration:
 Better scalability and performance.
 Easier maintenance with a modular design.
 Flexibility to integrate with other systems.
 Originally developed in 2000 using PowerBuilder 5.0
 It is composed of 44 pbls & pfc pbls
 It includes more than 3000 datawindows – including approximately
1000 dropdown datawindows
 Allows users to dynamically create browser datawindows at runtime
(stored in the DB)
 Uses report datawindows that are stored in the DB (do not exist in the
pbds – approximately 5500 )
 Converting DataWindow to C# Model

 Scaffold Services and Controllers

 Change retrieve and update in PowerBuilder

 Manual, time consuming process: Each DW has to be converted to a C#
model and then scaffolded to create a controller & a service. With an
estimate of 15 min/DW, it would take 5-6 months for the conversion

 Maintenance Difficulty: Changing a DW in the future, involves changes

in PB, the C# model & the service.

 Source Diversity: Cannot use dynamic datawindows (not available in the

source code @ compilation).
Dynamic Retrieval of DataWindows in PowerBuilder
• Explore an innovative approach to streamline the development of 3-tier
DataWindows in PowerBuilder applications.

• Key Topics:
• Dynamic retrieval and updates for 3-tier DataWindows.
• Efficient management of dropdown DataWindows.
• Empowering users to create and save DataWindows directly to the
database.
Dynamic retrieval of 3-tier DataWindows

Substitute return retrieve in pfc retrieve with return

fx_3tier_datawindow_retrieve
Before After
Dynamic retrieval of 3-tier DataWindows

fx_3tier_datawindow_retrieve
Dynamic retrieval of 3-tier DataWindows

DW_Dynamic_retrieve_dwsyntax C# Service
Dynamic retrieval of 3-tier DataWindows with arguments

Before After
Dynamic retrieval of 3-tier DataWindows with arguments

fx_3tier_datawindow_retrieve_with_arguments
Dynamic retrieval of 3-tier
DataWindows with arguments

DW_Dynamic_retrieve_
dwsyntax_arguments C# Serivce
Dynamic update of 3-tier DataWindows

Substitute return retrieve in pfc update with return fx_3tier_datawindow_update

Dynamic update of 3-tier DataWindows

fx_3tier_datawindow_update
Dynamic update of 3-tier DataWindows

DW_pbupdate_syntax C# Model
Retrieval of dropdown DataWindows

• Pb function
• Loops through all columns in the Datawindow
• Finds which columns have a DDDW
• If the DDDW does not have retrieval arguments, retrieves DDDW using the methods shown before
• DDDWs with retrieval arguments retrieved separately
• Using fx_3tier_datawindowchild_retrieve_with_arguments
Retrieval of dropdown
DataWindows
Creation of user DataWindows

• SyntaxFromSQL doesn’t work in 3-tier

• Created fx_3tier_syntaxfromsql function
• Replicates functionality of SyntaxFromSQL
• Uses 3-tier api call to find the datatypes of the columns
Creation of user DataWindows
fx_3tier_syntaxfromsql
Retrieval of db stored datawindows
Retrieval of db stored datawindows
Update of db stored datawindows
Update of db stored datawindows
• Issues with Datawindows that have a discrepancies between column
name and dbname
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Q &
A