Alpha Five Web Applications Made Easy, The Basics and … Basics and More for Version 10.5 xix Table of Contents Introduction Alpha Five for the web ... Videos xiii Pages xiii What’s

ALPHA FIVE MADE EASYThe Basics and More for Version 10.5

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Table of Contents

Introduction Alpha Five for the web..........................................................................................................ixWhat this book is all about ixAcknowledgments x

Getting Started........................................................................................................................xVersion 10.5 xSupport x

What you need to know xThe equipment you will need xiHow this book is set up xi

Remote database users: xiFile naming convention xiAbout the screen shots xiFeature picks xiFootnotes xiTo quote or not to quote xiiSpecial note for readers of previous editions xii

Clean webroot folder xiiDownload and CD contents xii

Lesson files xiiOpening the companion database xii

Using Alpha Five Help........................................................................................................xiiiVideos xiiiPages xiii

What’s new in Version 10 ...................................................................................................xivUsing the chart xiv

Installing the lesson files from the CD...............................................................................xviiManual installation xvii

1 Sensational System How the material is organized................................................................................................3Understanding web based databases ......................................................................................3

How the Alpha Five web system works 4Web Components 4

Using the Alpha Five web component builders 4Alpha’s brilliant idea 5

What’s all the fuss about AJAX? ...........................................................................................5Sending data the traditional way 6Sending data with AJAX 6Understanding the process 6Seeing is believing 7

Understanding SQL back-end databases ................................................................................7Location 8Server requests 8Security 8

Developing applications .........................................................................................................8How Alpha Five interacts with database types 9

Web Projects Control Panel 9

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Using your application on the web 9Understanding the Application Server system .....................................................................10

Browsers call the shots 10Understanding Web Components 10

Grid Components 11Page Builders 11Security and maintenance 12

Earlier components 13Using the web page editor 13

Web Component place holder 14Putting it together 14

A bit more on AJAX ............................................................................................................15Pages load smoothly and quickly 15

2 Marvelous Moves How the material is organized..............................................................................................19Preparation for the lessons ...................................................................................................19Creating a Web Project.........................................................................................................19

Quick start memo 20Port 80 Conflict 20

Creating a Grid Component .................................................................................................21Defining the Component Type 22

Grid 22Search part 22Detail View 23Read Only vs. Updateable 23

Defining the Data Source 23Defining the Query 24

Linking table 24Filter 24Sort order 24Sort direction 24Primary Key 24

Selecting Fields for the Grid 25Adding to selected 25Removing from selected 25Row numbers 25Record Numbers 26

Setting the Field Properties 26Send email 26Change column head 26

Defining the Grid Properties 27Record (Page) navigator 27Type-in box 28

Setting up the Search part elements 28Fields 28Properties 28

Setting up the Detail View elements 29Fields 29Text boxes 29Editable 29Field Rules 29Default Value 29Tips window 29Masks 30


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Client side 30Memo fields 31Properties 31Opening the Detail View 31Permissions 32Display Options 32

Defining Events for the grid component 34Annotating the grid component 34Saving the Grid component 34

Component names 35Entering Xbasic 35

Searching for properties .......................................................................................................36Learning the terms 36Centering the text 37

Inline style editor 37CSS 37

Finding properties 38What property? 38Type-in box 38Terms 38

Previewing the Grid component...........................................................................................38Viewing at the Preview tab 38Using the Live Preview tab 39

Reviewing the results 39Viewing in Working Preview 40Viewing in the Browser 40

Browser button 41Installed browsers 41

Changing a record 41Keyboard save 42Field rules applied 42Masks applied 43

Using the Modeless and Modal windows 43Modeless 43Modal 43

Using the record (page) navigator 44Viewing more records 44

Search part 44Grid part 44

Creating a Web Page ............................................................................................................44A5W Pages 44

Adding an Image to both page and project 45Save page 47

Understanding the tabs 47Pages 47Source 47Interactive 48

Creating page that holds a web component 48Duplicate page 48

Executing the page 48Return to Alpha Five 49

Publishing a page 49Understanding URL’s 50Creating link to another page 50

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Inserting a component on a web page 51Grid component place holders 52

Deleting a component from a web page 52Viewing and using the Web Project .....................................................................................52

Execute vs. Publish 52Execute Page 52=Publish 53Trouble shooting 53Quick Publish 53

Publishing the web project 53Entering new records 54

Cancel enter new record 55Saving the record 55

Auto increment field 55Changing the control type 55Viewing the table entry 56Deleting a record 56Canceling a change 56Using wild cards to search records 56

Entering search criteria 57Clearing search criteria 57

Sorting the records 57Sending an email 58Making more modifications 58

Adding even more functionality with Feature Packs ...........................................................58

3 Solid Security How the material is organized..............................................................................................61Chapter TOC 61Steps to security 61

Understanding Alpha Five Security .....................................................................................61Looking at the “Basic Steps” 62

Preparation for the lesson. ....................................................................................................63Borrowing files for a new project 63Creating a new web project 63

Target folder 63Folder levels 64

Adding existing pages to a web project 64Adding an existing web component to a project 65Adding image files 65Duplicating pages and components 65Removing a web component from a page 65

Remove old code 65Changing the link on a page 66Locating the project files 66

Project explorer 66Delete files 67Publish project 67

Implementing security ..........................................................................................................67Turning security on 68

Auto start server 68Security framework 68

Turning security off 68Quick test 69

Creating a redirect page 69


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Defining the security settings 69Web Security Configuration 70Security Policy 71Login Options 71User ID Options 73Password Settings 73Lost Data Recovery Options 74Customize Options 74

Defining the Users and Groups 74Users 74Case Sensitivity 75Security Groups 75

Importing and exporting user lists 76Creating a Login web component ........................................................................................76

Understanding the Login component 76Defining the Login section 77

Show Remember Me? 77Show options 78Free form area 78Open in full page 78Controls 78Properties 78

Defining the Change Password section 78Layout 78controls 78Properties 78

Changing Login component messages 79User file — Required data missing 79Password confirm doesn’t match 79

Annotating and saving the component 79Placing the component on the web page 79

Setting up page security .......................................................................................................79Scenario 79

Choosing the page assignments 80Login Permissions 80

Defining file type permissions 81Add Type 81Remove type 81

Grouping page permissions 82Group by same permission 82Group by different permission 82

Setting folder security 82By file 83By folder 83

Working with Security on 84403 Forbidden 84Work around 84Right click menu 84

Adding security to the web component ................................................................................84Securing grid components and reports 85

Component level 85Page level 85Customize options 85Mixed security 87

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Reports 87Right click menu 87

Restricting column access and editing privileges 87Hiding a column 87Permission to delete 88Permission to save or change 88Permission to insert 88Annotate It! 89

Viewing in Live Preview or Execute 89Publishing the security files .................................................................................................89

General & page configurations 90Users and Groups 90

Keeping track of the assignments 90Testing page security 91

Publish changed files 91Getting the login page back 92Testing with the back button 93

Changing a password............................................................................................................93Making an “online” change 93Checking the password change in Alpha Five 94

Retrieving the User & Group information ...........................................................................94Understanding where the data is stored 94Setting up for the transfer 95

Security for security 95Retrieving the data 96

Administrator change 97Safeguarding the Users & Groups data ................................................................................97

Understanding Web Security Data Published 98Understanding Restrict Web Security Data Publish 99Understanding Auto-restrict Web Security Data. 100One more word of caution 100

Trouble shooting 100Handy things to know about security .................................................................................101

Publishing page and security files simultaneously 101Locking and unlocking users 101

User and Groups dialog 101Security Policy 101

Entering, editing and validating users 101Pre-built functions 101

Understanding the 403 Forbidden message 101Security settings not applied 101Component and page permissions don’t match 102Page does not exist 102Security files missing 102GUID not unique 102Guid created automatically 102

Miscellaneous notes 102User Level Security 102

Reviewing the security procedure ......................................................................................103Creating pages and components 103

Redirect pages 103Page and web component security 103

Turning security on and off 103Activating security changes 103


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4 Amazing Attributes How this lesson is organized ..............................................................................................107Developing a strategy.........................................................................................................107

Understanding how the Application Server works 107Understanding web constraints 108Understanding the Client / Server model 109Xbasic and the web 110

A5 Operation 110Thinking ahead ...................................................................................................................111

Diagraming your design 111Locating your database files 112Transferring the files 113

Preparation for the lesson ...................................................................................................114Copying a web project 114

Learning the 3 P’s: Project, Profile and Publish ................................................................115Understanding Projects 115

Folders 115Renaming a project 116

Understanding Profiles 117Local Webroot 117

Understanding Publishing 117Publishing a project 117Files to publish 118More info 119Retrieve dialog 119

Finding the files 119Webroot directory 119Project files 120Server files 120

Getting control of the Web Projects Control Panel ............................................................120Reviewing the menus 121Finding your way around 121Using the Top Menu 122

File 122Edit 122View 124Web 125Window 125

Using the Upper Toolbar 125Using the Web Projects Control Panel toolbar 126Right click menu 127

Publishing 127Components & pages 128Identification 129Folders 129Files 129Page & component security 130

Using components as desktop forms ..................................................................................131Testing your application 131

Exploring a new way to look at desktop forms 132No web connection necessary 132

Setting up the grid component with Xdialog 132Preview 133Testing 134

Another way … 134

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Changing the grid 135Embedding components in forms 135

Understanding calculated field types .................................................................................136Using server-side calculations 136Using client-side calculations 136Using conditional images and styles 137

Using the Calculated Values builder ..................................................................................137Calculated Values 139Format numbers 139

Using the Expression Builder.............................................................................................139Using the work space 140

The elements 141Select Fields 141Select Values 142Function Finder 143Help! 144Finding the right function 144Calculated Fields 144Variables 144Library Entry 144

Using the Expression Builder keyboard 146Understanding Operators 147

Arithmetic Operators 147Logical Operators 147True & False 147Comparison Operators 147

Using the toolbar 148Writing expressions 148

Text requirement 148Creating an expression we can use 148

Remove field blanks 149Calculated Values expression 150

Understanding summary calculations ................................................................................151Creating a summary field 151

Display 151Creating a summary footer for the grid 153

Last page 153Display formats 153Summary properties 153

Creating a summary footer for each page 154Adding conditional color & images 154

Multiple conditions 154Logical expression 154

Adding a conditional image to a grid row 155Creating client-side calculations ........................................................................................157

Before 157After 158

Defining the calculation 158Syntax 159Functions 160

Rounding a numeric value 161Table rules! 161

Formatting calculated fields 162Assuring entries will be correct 162


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Understanding case sensitivity 163Field rules 163Data entry 163

Adding conditional formatting 163Conditional style level 164

Testing formatting and case sensitivity 165Refresh 165

Defining the show / hide expression 165Case sensitivity 166Operators 166Logical field 166

Enable / Disable field entry 166Defining labels and other control types 167

Using the Filter Builder ......................................................................................................167Using the filter genie 167Excluding records 168Finding unique records 168Viewing the expression 168

Logical expression 169Finishing the filter 169

Creating a Maintenance Component ..................................................................................169Form navigator 170

Choosing tables for packing/reindexing 170One or all tables 171Single table only 171Combination of tables 171

Testing the component 172

5 Setup Settings How the material is organized............................................................................................175Preparation for the lesson ...................................................................................................175Choosing Read Only or Updateable ...................................................................................175

Terminology 176Control types 176Read only 176Updateable 176

Converting later 177Detail View 177Grid 177Query page read only 178Results 179

Understanding editing options for updateable grids...........................................................179Dirty or clean 179Field validation setting 180Edit on demand 180New records edit style 180Abort update if any row has error 181Error 181Row refresh method after edits 181Refresh on row dirty 182Honor DBF rules 182

Editing data with RowOnDemand 182Editing 182

Editing data with AllRows 183Refresh 183

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Delete 184Edits 184Validate violation 184Cancel a change 184Validate rules 184Highlight row 185New records at top 185

Trapping actions 185Being consistent 185Understanding multi-user editing 186

Optimistic record locking 186Using a grid template to save time and trouble ..................................................................186

System templates 187Custom templates 187Edit description 187File names 188

Move, delete or rename templates 188Using the System templates 188Creating a template 189

Editing later 189Using a Stacked Columnar layout ......................................................................................190

Grouping fields into rows 190Special controls 190

Adding Static Text labels 191Adding a Merge Cell heading 192Adding a Row S 192Using a Master Template 192

Accordion container 193Accordion style 193Initial open Panes 193

Adding a Collapse Bar 193Understanding the Form (Columnar) component ..............................................................194

Grouping fields with a frame 195Filter 196

Snaking the records 196Cell size 197

Opening the Detail View in a window 198Defining the Grid > Data Source........................................................................................198

Remote databases 199Defining the Grid > Query .................................................................................................199

Table changes 200Understanding the Primary Key(s) 200

Combining tables with a View ...........................................................................................201Understanding the difference between DBF & SQL 201

Live data 202Result set 202Set vs. Query 202SELECT statement 202

Creating a View 203Adding and joining tables 203Editing the Join 204Defining a Primary Key for a View 205Choosing the fields 206Formatting a numeric field 206


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Understanding Arguments..................................................................................................206Terminology 207Variable types 207Field selection 207

Defining the Argument 207Preview value 208

Defining the Variable 208Defining the Prompt 209

Control types 209Choices 210

Defining the Prompt Page 210Adding a default value 210Using the argument in a filter 211Testing the argument and filter 211

Missing argument 211Testing the variables 212Ending the session 212

Browser view 212Working Preview 212

Ordering records.................................................................................................................213Reverse order 213Expression 213Sort Direction 213

Previewing Events ..............................................................................................................214Editing events 215Event references 215

Annotating the Grid component .........................................................................................215

6 Fun with Fields How the material is organized............................................................................................219Control types 219Lookups 219Special controls 219Data validation 219

Preparation for the lesson ...................................................................................................220Notes on fields....................................................................................................................220

Fields first 220Adding and removing fields 220

Component 220Source table 220

Choosing a Control Type ...................................................................................................220Understanding hidden controls 221

Hide row or column 222Hidden control 222

Selecting Control Types 222Grid fields 222Search part fields 223Detail View fields 223

Understanding Date and Time fields..................................................................................223Field properties 224Display format 224Date Picker properties 224

Entering time fields 224Time 225Short time 225

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Creating Checkbox, Radio Button and Drop Down Box controls .....................................225Checkbox 226Radio buttons 226Drop down box 226

Creating a checkbox 226Choosing the type of list 226Creating a Static list 227

Pre-defined lists 227Custom lists 228

Creating a Dynamic list 228Understanding Add to List 229

Edit combo 229Auto suggest 230Auto fill in 230Grid component lookup 230

Creating an Edit Combo List / Lookup ..............................................................................230Comparison 230Static lists 230

Defining the dynamic list 231Load data method 231Lookup display 232Place holders 233Fill in other fields 233

Centering a textbox 233Entering data 233

Value in lookup 234Value not in lookup 234Resize drop down 234

Adding a dynamic filter 234Add field to display 234Modify the template 235

Restricting data entry 236Using an Edit Combo box in the Search part 236Having fun with the Freeform areas 237

Columns 237Creating an Auto Suggest List / Lookup ............................................................................238

List type 238List only 238Filtering 238Window size 238

Reviewing the optional properties 238Display 238Fill in fields 238Delay 238

Using Action JavaScript to auto-fill fields .........................................................................239onBlur Event 239

Defining a Zip Code lookup and fill in 239Filling in fields from a table 240

Looking up data in a grid component.................................................................................241Design 241Lookup layers 241

Part 1. Creating the lookup grid 241Inverted data 242Record display 242


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Part 2. Creating the data entry grid 242Hide linking field 243Logical field 243

Defining and mapping the lookup 243Field mapping 244

Defining the numeric fields 245Server-side format 245Client side format textboxes 245Client side calculations 245

Defining Update Settings 246Connecting grids in a Master-Detail or One-to-Many relationship ...................................247

One-to-one 247One-to-many or Master-Detail 247

Adding a [Linked Grid] 248Entering the Update Settings 248Using a lookup grid to enter a new record 248Understanding the automatically entered fields 249

Enhancing the Form layout with Special Controls.............................................................249Viewing the Special Controls 250Adding a Frame 250

Frame style 250Adding a tabbed interface 251

Properties 251Position 251Labels 251

Previewing quickly 251Showing or hiding the objects inside the frame 252

Initial state 252Displaying data in columns 252

Remove break 253Nesting tabs within tabs 253Changing the tab that opens first 254Displaying tabs as accordions 254

Using the Image and Container controls ............................................................................254Server-side or client-side 255Expressions & Image names 255Side-by-side 256

Adding a Button that prints a report ...................................................................................257onClick Event 257Troubleshooting Previews 257

Validating field data ...........................................................................................................259Component level 260Table level 260

Writing validation Xbasic 260Sample code 261

7 Sweet Searches How the material is organized............................................................................................265Preparation for the lesson ...................................................................................................265Searching with the Search part ...........................................................................................265

Defining the Control Types 266Understanding the search types 267

Search style 267Query by Form syntax 267Combine search criteria 268

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Defining a Cascading Drop Down search 268Select multiple items 269Not in list rule 269

Defining a Tree Control search 269Searching between two dates 269Searching Time fields 270Defining Keyword searches 270

Constrained Keyword search 270Settings 270

Using a Watermark to add instructions 271Sorting by column title 271Testing the search settings 272

Sprucing up the Search part................................................................................................273Placing several fields on a single line 274

Double fields 275Hide row 275Hidden fields 275Row labels 275

Combining Cascading Drop Down Boxes 276Creating a Quick Search.....................................................................................................277

Grid fields 277Control Types 277Current order 277Constrained search 277Placement 277Auto-submit 277

Searching with a TextBox 278Search style 278

Searching a sub-set of records 279Creating a DropDownBox search 280

List Types 280Auto-submit 280

Searching with a CheckBox 281Freeform Layout 282

Searching with a RadioButton 283Searching the Current Sort Order 284

Creating Alphabet and Custom ‘Button’ search controls...................................................285Changing the style and position 286Creating a label 286Creating custom buttons 286Creating a consolidated alphabet 287Hiding the alphabet button bar with few records 288

Adding a Query by Example row.......................................................................................289Additive filter for multiple conditions 289Match types 289Excluding data 289Hide / show 289

Using Action JavaScript to filter a report and/or link to another grid................................290Reports 291Grids 291Display 291Functions 291

Opening a report with the current filter and order 291Understanding target grid Filter, Order and Link 293


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Base & User Filters 293Link 293How it works 293

Opening a grid with current grid filter and order 294Opening a grid with link and filter 295

Filter/Order 296Filter evaluation 296

Opening grids and/or reports in a Modeless window 297Window Position 297Button column title 298

Adding a Google, Yahoo or MSN search to your grid.......................................................299Web page definitions 300

8 Component Compadres

How this lesson is organized ..............................................................................................305Grid sections 305Linked grids 305Layouts 305Putting it together 305

Preparation for the lesson ...................................................................................................305Understanding Freeform Edit Regions...............................................................................305

Line spacing 306Horizontal display 306Paragraph and break tags 306

Using the HTML genie 306XHTML 306

Testing the line breaks 307Centering the HTML in the column 307

Opening a grid, report or web page in a DIV.....................................................................308Defining the DIV ID 309Placing the div ID tag 309

Defining the DIV ID for the button 309Target IFrame 309

Placing the DIV ID in the Freeform Edit Region 310Understanding the Master Template ..................................................................................310

Arranging the parts of the grid 311Accordion 311Table layouts 311Tab containers 311Custom layout 311Modify template 312

Linking grids and simultaneously updating a child table...................................................313Using the Row Expander 314Setting up the detail grids 315

Hobbies tab 315Linking with a Row Expander 317Testing the settings 318

Open Row Expander 318Data entry prevented 318Quick search 318Fields filled in 318New entry display 319Add new hobby 319

Connecting grids with the Linked Grids / Content genie ...................................................319“Other Content” 320

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Display 320Freeform edit region 320Master Template 320

Defining the Linked Content 320Placing Linked Content in the Freeform Edit Region 321

View Freeform region 322Placing Linked Content in the Master Template 322Placing the grid parts in a tabbed container 324Viewing the tab panes 324Removing a tab pane 325Changing the linked grid area 326Locking the child record display 326

Placing a linked grid in the cell of another grid .................................................................326Linking grids on pages in a DIV ........................................................................................327

Creating the target (child) grid and page 328Creating the hyperlink in the parent grid 328

Target grid placement 329Creating the page for the parent grid 329Placing the DIV on the page 329Publishing the pages 329

Target folder 330Consolidating Form layouts ...............................................................................................330

Smart phones 330Watermark 330Hide block 330Custom navigator 330Tab display 330

Using “Liquid Forms” for smart phone design 330Watermarking the fields 331Hiding a block of fields 332

Show / hide expression 332Customizing the Record Navigator 333

Number of links 333Adding a Tab Control 334

Creating a Dialog................................................................................................................334Advanced 335Dummy table 335

Designing the layout 335Adding other grid features 336Placing the Xbasic 336Inserting the target page 336

Understanding the Tabbed UI Builder ...............................................................................336Legend 337How it works 338

Creating a Tabbed User Interface 338Properties 339Rename button 339File name 340Adding frames 340

Adding tabs 340Changing width of buttons and panel 341Adding Other Controls 341Understanding navigator confirmation 341Giving the page a title 341


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Adding a header and footer 342Hyperlink 342

Understanding Tabbed UI web pages 342Change page name 342‘Head’ content 342Deleting 342

Adding a Home page 343Link to outside web page 343Define the local page 343

Understanding Linked Resources 344Purpose 344How grids are loaded 344Custom code 344Trouble shooting 344Recommendation 344

Modifying the objects 344Properties 345Containers & Other Controls 345Buttons / hyperlinks 345Refresh 345Pane header 345Filter 345Order 345

Understanding the Page Layout Builder ............................................................................346Understanding the display 346

Side-by-side 346Open or closed 346Buttons / hyperlinks 347Window 347

Displaying a Page Layout component in a Tabbed UI 348Pane display 348Place on page 348Add page to Tabbed UI 348Component tab 349Button display 349

Adding an External Web Page 349Automatic updates 349

9 Graphic Goodies How the material is organized............................................................................................353Index page 353Navigation System Series 353Design features 353Troubleshooting 353Getting technical 353

Preparation for the lesson ...................................................................................................353Adding a Login to a logo....................................................................................................354

Setting up the design 354Sizing the logo 355Recovering Login data 355

Web security 355Redirect after login 355Lost data recovery options 356Login component 356Login Display 356

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Remove Link display 356Setting the Index page 357Reserving space for the image 357

View HTML 358Adding an alternate name 358Adding the Login component 358Placing the component in the logo 359Changing the page security 359

403 Forbidden 359Publishing the project 359Adjusting the HTML 360Testing the Login 360

Some design ideas 361Tabbed UI 361

Understanding the Navigation System web component.....................................................361Understanding the Description page 362

Type 362Vertical menus 362Horizontal menus 362Style 362

Understanding the Navigation System settings 363Root settings 363Security 363

Understanding the menu structure 364Children & siblings 364Nodes 364Trees 364

Adding and deleting Children, Siblings, Nodes and Trees 364Moving the nodes 364

Up and down arrows 364Left and right arrows 364

Deleting nodes 365Delete node 365Delete tree 365

Undo & Redo 365Understanding node settings 365

Type 365Security groups 366Button highlight rules 366Item id 366OnClick Javascript 366Text 366Icon 366URL & Fallback URL 366Target 366

Previewing the Navigation System menu 366Switching from onclick to onmouseover 367Using the Information page 367Including a Tabbed UI 367

Naming 367Creating a Navigation System menu ..................................................................................367

Developing a plan 367Layout 368

Creating the pages 368


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Designing the Navigation System component 369Defining nodes with pages 369

Tabbed UI 370Defining nodes without pages 370Previewing the Navigation System menu 371

Placing the Navigation System component on pages.........................................................371Inserting the component 371

Selected button 371Container 371

Understanding the Container 372Horizontal menu 372Vertical menu 372

Modifying the table border 373Width 373Borders 373Centering 373

Adding text and component to the table 373Setting up the other pages 373Viewing the Navigation System 374Adjusting the menu items 374Troubleshooting 375

Changing the In-line Style..................................................................................................375Font settings 376Text settings 376Edge and Background settings 377Position and Layout Settings 377“Other,” Lists, CSS and IE Specific settings 378Hiding text display 378Watching where you are working! 379Defining Conditional Style 379

Selecting Styles for components ........................................................................................379One or many 380

Changing one component 380Changing multiple components 380

Descriptions 381Adding a heading to your component ................................................................................381

Left aligned 381Centered 381More regions 381

Clearing Freeform regions 381Adding images....................................................................................................................382Understanding the HTML Editor .......................................................................................382

Using the basic tools 383Help 383Spell Check 383User dictionary 383

Using a table to display pictures and text 383Table toolbar 383

Inserting a table 384Understanding the Database Explorer 385

SQL 385Using the Transform utility 385Exploring some Xbasic options 386Using the Forms toolbar 386

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Opening a target web page from within a component........................................................387Another way to put a component on an A5W page 389

Troubleshooting page display ............................................................................................390Publish dialog 390Right click publish menu 390Security 390

Working with an outside web design program...................................................................390Adding an outside web page to the project 390Copying the component code to the page 391Connecting an outside form to fields in a table 391

File or string 391Understanding CSS Pages and Webform Styles ................................................................392

Understanding CSS 392Understanding the “CSS” folder 393Understanding Webform Styles 393

Types 394Order of access 394

Creating a new Style or modifying an existing one 394New style 395Modify existing style 395Component level 395

Using the CSS Editor 395Building and rendering pages.............................................................................................396

Using frames 397What’s to come 397

10 Sexy SQL Secrets How the material is organized............................................................................................401Preparation for the lesson ...................................................................................................401Connecting your SQL data to Alpha Five ..........................................................................401

Built-in Drivers 401Understanding the Data Source 402

ADO 403Alpha DAO 403

Understanding the Connection String ................................................................................403Named Connection String 403Specify Connection string 403

Opening a previously saved connection string 403Creating a new connection string 404

Multiple saved connections 405Previous connection 406

Creating a temporary connection 406Specify Connection String 406

Completing the SQL Query pane .......................................................................................406Using Tables and Views 407

Remember to refresh 407Define Arguments 407Filter 407Order 408Read only? 408Select Primary key 408Select sequence 408View grid 408

Creating a SQL Select Statement 409SQL Builder 409


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SQL Genie 409Filter & Order 410

Using the SQL Query Builder (aka SQL Genie) 411SQL Genie 412Edit select statement 412Primary Keys 412Fields for grid 412

Printing SQL Reports .........................................................................................................413Publishing the SQL Reports Library 414Setting the default value 414

Understanding Active and Passive-Link tables..................................................................415Active-Link Tables 415Passive-link tables 415

Creating an Active-Link table 415Connection string 415SQL Select Statement 416SQL Syntax 416Query Builder 416

Using web application forms on the desktop 417Learning more 417Active-Link and web applications 417

Direct connection 418Active-Link connection 418

Understanding server connections......................................................................................418Testing vs. Live 418Using a professional hosting service 418Understanding portability 419

Getting more information...................................................................................................419

11 Internet Installation How the material is organized............................................................................................423Deciding how to put your application online .....................................................................423

Do it yourself 423Professional hosting 423

Using a Domain Name 424Using Alpha Five Runtime on a server 424

Reviewing the Application Server settings ........................................................................424Licenses 424Professional Hosting Service 424Self Hosting 424Everyone! 424

Understanding the settings 425General Tab 425

Saving changes 425Server Name 425Server Port 426Document Root 426Page Extension 426Default Page 426Auto start 427Security 427Server running 427

Logging Tab 427Enable Server Logging 427Access Log 427

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Error Log 428Debug Logging 428

Sessions Tab 428Session Id’s 428Adding a license 428Session cookie 428Session lifetime 429Licensed sessions 429

Errors Tab 429IIS Errors 429Custom pages 430Server signature 430

Access Tab 430Directory Browsing 430IP Restrictions 430Allow/Deny 430IP Addresses 430

SSL Tab 430Enabling SSL 431Certificates 431Getting a Self-Signed certificate 431Getting a trusted company certificate 432Entering your certificate 432Disable SSL 432

Performance Tab 433Server threads 433Compression 434HTTP Keepalive 434

Advanced Tab 434Multiple applications on same system 434Systray Caption 435Maximum URI Length 435Read Timeouts 435Browser Tracking 435Built-In Resources 435Sample Pages 435Log Rotation 435

Server Variables Tab 436Preparation for the lesson ...................................................................................................436Locating your files for the server .......................................................................................436

Purpose 436Testing 437

Before you begin 437Network 437

Creating the Profile 437Where to publish 438

Publishing to a local server 439Application Folder 439Data Folder 439

Publishing to a LAN 439DBF & MDB files only 440

Publishing to ISP/remote 440Defining the Publish details 440

Default page 440


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Publish data files 440Publishing the Library files 441Viewing the settings 441

Alpha DAO 442Publishing to the new Profile 442

File transfer 442Using a hosting company to put your web app on-line ......................................................444

Understanding the server situation 444Flying with an Alpha Software partner 444

ZebraHost 444Using your own server to put your web app on-line ..........................................................445

Type of IP address 445Safety 445Domain name 445Port 445Default Page 445Backups 445

Using your ISP for hosting 445Get your own domain name 446

Understanding Firewalls 446LAN or WAN without a Firewall 446Internet with a Firewall 446

Using a static IP Address 447Configuring your computer’s IP address 447Using Port 80 447Naming the default page 448Watching the clock 448

12 Helpful Hints How the material is organized............................................................................................451Using Functions and Expressions.......................................................................................451Finding the A5 Help pages .................................................................................................451

Tabs for Local Help 452Finding pages 452

Search Tip 452Index Tip 452

Help for later versions 452Finding the real URL 453

Understanding the Feature Packs .......................................................................................453Advanced Search Features 453Tree Control Navigator 454Grid Components for Desktop Applications 454Flying Start Genie 454Database Upsize Genie 455

Backing up is easy to do.....................................................................................................455Alpha Five users 455SQL Users 455

Backing up your web application 455Backup settings 456

Using One Step Backup 457Requiring regular backups 457Restoring the database 458

Understanding Variables ....................................................................................................458Types of Variables 458

Creating layout and session variables 458

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Correcting “Calculated Fields” terminology 458Tidbits.................................................................................................................................459

Root directory location 459Large screen format users 459Getting rid of the $$$$$$$$$$$$ 459

Deleting Temporary Files 459Web Applications 459

Query by Form Syntax 460More about Security ...........................................................................................................461

Configuration > Login Options 461Understanding Login Expiration Policy and Time 461

Policy 461Login Expiration Time 462

Understanding “Remember Me” (aka automatic login) 462Cookie 462Login component 463

Adding a logout option to the Login component 463Function call 463

More about Relative URL’s ...............................................................................................464Converting an Alpha Five database to SQL.......................................................................465

Local vs Remote and Slow Access 465Pros and cons 466Conclusions 466

Understanding Path Alias ...................................................................................................467Exploring error messages ...................................................................................................467

Adding the server signature 468Saving expressions in the Script Library............................................................................468

Compiling your scripts into a library (AEX) file 468Runtime Application Server 468

Exploring Xbasic References .............................................................................................469Understanding Xbasic 469Using the Xbasic toolbox 470

Trace Window 470Code Editor 470OLE Automation Browser 470Debugger 471Script Recorder 471

Assuring successful script writing 471Additional videos 471

Help! ...................................................................................................................................471Alpha Software Website 472

The Alpha Community 472Message Board 472Software Updates 472Technical Support 472User Groups 472Alpha Software, Inc. 473

Tips and Tricks 473Proctor & Peake 473Alpha to go.com 473Independent Alpha Five Developers 473


xliii

AppendixComponent Re-Views

The way this section is organized.......................................................................................477ABC Seminars components and pages 477Lenny’s examples 477

Sampling some sensational web components ....................................................................478Using the Web Application Demo 478Viewing the application 479

Tabbed UI 479Viewing the component settings 479

Reviewing the ABC Seminars components .......................................................................480Tabbed UI 480Chart 480

Index .................................................................................................................501

Notes:

xliv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Documents

Alpha Five Web Applications Made Easy, The Basics and … Basics and More for Version 10.5 xix Table of Contents Introduction Alpha Five for the web ... Videos xiii Pages xiii What’s