VISUAL FOXPRO

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to ways to apply FoxPro to your day to day microcomputer work. FoxPro is a database management program for the IBM and compatible computers. It is produced by Fox Software (a Microsoft Corporation company). FoxPro is compatible with most of the commands, programs and files.

Visual FoxPro is a data-centric object-oriented procedural programming language produced by Microsoft. It is derived from FoxPro (originally known as FoxBASE) which was developed by Fox Software beginning in 1984. Fox Technologies merged with Microsoft in 1992, after which the software acquired further features and the prefix "Visual". The last version of FoxPro (2.6) worked under Mac OS, DOS, Windows, and Unix: Visual FoxPro 3.0, the first "Visual" version, reduced platform support to only Mac and Windows, and later versions were Windows-only. The current version of Visual FoxPro is COM-based and Microsoft has stated that they do not intend to create a Microsoft .NET version.

Visual FoxPro is a programming language that was produced by Microsoft. It was originally known as FoxBASE. It was developed in 1984. It was last released in 2007. FoxPro has provided developers with first-class tools for building database applications. It include the following:-

• The first graphical interface for xBASE, complete with windows and pull-down menus
• Rushmore™ query technology, providing blazingly fast querying performance
• A graphical Screen Builder and Report Builder
• Integrated SQL support
• Complete cross-platform support (Windows, DOS, Mac, UNIX)
• Inexpensive distribution options

With the introduction of Visual FoxPro, FoxPro evolved from a procedural language to an object-oriented language. Visual FoxPro features include the following:

• Forms and form controls are objects with properties, methods and events.
• ActiveX™ Controls are supported.
• The database container provides persistent relationships between tables, field and record level validations, triggers and stored procedures.
• Using Remote Views, ODBC data can be queried and modified as easily as local data, thereby making Visual FoxPro a great tool to build client/server applications.
• Full object-oriented class design capabilities support inheritance, subclassing, encapsulation and polymorphism. Reusable class libraries of both visual and nonvisual (code) classes can be built, dramatically reducing development time.

Visual FoxPro 5.0 is the latest version of Visual FoxPro and features the following:

• Improved ActiveX support
• The ability to subclass ActiveX Controls and extend their functionality
• An all new debugger, modeled on the Visual C++® development system debugger
• Visual SourceSafe™ version control system integration
• A significant performance boost
• Offline views for remote and disconnected user support

Objectives

• Become familiar with the terminology and major functions of a database management system (DBMS) using the new DBC or Database Container file.
• Edit existing, add new, and delete old database records from Visual FoxPro’s new Data Session window, as well as from the command window.
• Design and create a database system using Visual FoxPro
• Search the database for particular information using the new Query Wizard
• Index the database to view it in different orders
• Design and run a report on the database file using the Report designer.

Visual Foxpro contents

• Introduction: -Application Builder, Project Manager,Building the App into an EXE file and Properties,Tab Order and Options.
• Table Designer: - Data Types,Building a Customer Table
• Form Wizard and Designer: - Creating a Form,Modifying the Form in the Form Designer
• Views and Reports : - View Wizard,View Designer,Report Wizard
• Import Wizard : - Using the Import Wizard
• Setup Wizard : - Setup Wizard,Using the Setup Wizard,The Importance of the Setup Wizard
• Procedural Programming: - Creating Programs, Functions, Memory Variables, Parameters, Constants & Control Constructs
• The Menu Builder : - Creating System and Form Specific Menus, Creating a Shortcut Menu
• Main.PRG : - The Main Program
• Views: - Overview of Views,Creating a View,Types of Joins,Sum,The Data Session Window,Other Aggregate Functions,Cartesian Product,Eliminating Duplicate Values
• SQL: - Select Statement,Union Statement,SQL Insert,SQL Delete
• FoxPro Report Writer: - Reports Created with the Report Wizard and Writer,Creating a Multi- Column Report,Report Variables,Group Reports and Nulls,Calculated Fields,User Defined Functions
• Design : - Database Normalization,Data Integrity
• VFP Database : - Keys,Rules,Stored Procedures,Referencial Integrity and Other Elements