RED Manager Classes for SQL Server

RED has created an application framework for creating Windows applications that integrate with Microsoft SQL Server running on NT Advanced Servers.

The RED Manager Classes provide an object oriented framework for the effective implementation of client-server database applications without the trial and error problems that can afflict this type of development project. All the major user interface objects are implemented in the framework including Manager Classes for Menus, Forms, Form Controls, and Reports.

The Manager Classes excel in the integration of remote views within the application and include sophisticated user selection and data browsing objects that work directly on remote data. Server data is accessed using the minimum of connections and the Data Classes overcome several limitations of the remote view definition by adding a variable filter expression instead of a fixed parameterised view.

The Classes are supplied as a single developer licence and include a runtime licence for a single server. Additional installations require a runtime licence for each server.

A single developer licence costs £ 400 (US$ 600) and includes a single server runtime licence. Additional installation require a runtime licence fee of £ 200 (US$ 300) for each server.

RED Manager classes are designed to provide overall control of the interface of the application.

There are several manager classes that may be used together or independently:

• The Application Class sets up general application features such as the title of the main window and acts as a container for the remaining Manager Objects.
• The Menu Manager defines and controls the menu as well as facilitating the addition of window specific and rightclick menus.
• The Form Manager controls the Forms defined for the application.
• The Toolbar Manager controls application and form specific Toolbars.
• The Message Manager controls the display of messages to the user.
• The Data Manager controls the data environment including navigation through a table and data buffering to save and revert changes.
• The Dictionary Manager interprets the definitions held in the FoxPro Database Container to implement browse and filter functionality.

MENU MANAGER

The Menu Manager controls the menu bar that appears along the top of the application window:

• The Menu Bar appears along the top of the application window and consists of a set of Menu Pads which control a popdown selection of Menu Options.
• The Menu Pads allow hotkey letters which are activated by the user with the [ALT+LETTER] combination.
• The Menu Options allow a hotkey letter activated from the application with the [CTRL+LETTER] combination.
• Preparing to select a Menu Pad or Menu Option will refresh the status bar at the bottom of the application window with a description of the Menu Pad or Menu Option function.
• Menu Options have security control that will grey out options to make them unavailable to users without the appropriate security level.
• MenuPads may be hidden and shown again allowing Form specific menu pads to be controlled easily by the Form Manager.

RIGHTCLICK MENUS

• Rightclick menus may be specified easily and then associated with various application objects as required.
• These rightclick menus are controlled by the Menu Manager and may be defined programmatically of by referencing previously defined MenuPad Objects.

TOOLBAR MANAGER

• The Toolbar Manager controls the behaviour of Toolbar objects which interact with the application or the currently active form to perform user initiated operations.
• The Toolbar Manager can be used to programmatically define and create a Toolbar or to manage a Toolbar created as a Visual Class.
• Toolbars may be defined for the whole application or as form specific Toolbars which appear only with certain defined forms. The Toolbar Manager Object is normally used as part of the Application Object and interacts with the Form Manager to determine the active ToolbarButtons for the current form.

FORM MANAGER

• The Form Manager Object controls the following user interface objects:
• Running a Modeless form will add a new item onto the Window Menu. Activating and Deactivating a modeless form also moves the checkmark on the Window menu which may also be used to select a form.
• The Form Manager Object controls the appearance and disappearance of the form specific Menu Pad each time the Form is activated or deactivated. This menu appears to the left of the Window Menu Pad.
• All forms have the possibility of creating a form specific Toolbar that appears undocked each time the form is activated and disappears when the form is deactivated. This is also controlled by the Form Manager Object interacting with the Toolbar Manager object.

MESSAGE MANAGER

• The Message manager Object is used to communicate messages to the User. Several types of messages are possible:
• The Status bar message at the bottom of the application window may be updated.
• A timeout message may appear at the top right of the application window for a short time interval.
• Dialog boxes to prompt the user for a Yes or No response or an OK or Cancel.
• Dialog boxes may be defined to warn the user or to indicate some information or a fatal error warning.

DATA MANAGER

• The Data Manager can be used to facilitate the following functions for any table open in a form:
• Record movement to the next or previous record.
• Movement to the top or bottom of a table.
• Save changes to the current record.
• Revert changes to the current record.
• Add a new record.
• Delete the current record.

DICTIONARY MANAGER

• The Dictionary Manager interacts with the FoxPro database container to implement browse and filter functionality:
• Field levels dynamically changes as the captions are changed in the database container.
• Browse and filter forms automatically use the fields specified on the form.
• Filter windows can be saved as a FoxPro form for programmer enhancement.

Key Benefits

Rapid Application Development

Optimise performance for SQL Server

Minimise Connections with Server