OS/2 Shareware BBS: 18 REXX/18-REXX.zip/20eval.zip/README.INF

OS/2 Help File | 1994-02-03 | 57KB | 649 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. VisPro/REXX Version 2.0 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Get Serious OS/2 Development Power With VisPro/REXX!

VisPro/REXX is an easy-to-use visual programming environment that gives you the
power to create your own OS/2 2.x GUI applications.  Fast. Whether you want to
build a time-saving utility program or a client/server application, VisPro/REXX
is the right tool for the job.  VisPro/REXX is packed with features that allow
you to begin building powerful OS/2 GUI applications almost instantly.

Quickly develop OS/2 CUA '91 applications, from simple utilities to robust
client/server programs, and generate a single .EXE file of your application for
royalty-free distribution.

Both VisPro/REXX Bronze and VisPro/REXX Gold :

o Provide an easy-to-use visual programming environment that gives you the
  power to quickly create your own OS/2 2.x GUI applications.

o Increase your programming productivity with drag and drop programming, which
  automatically generates the REXX code for you.

o Are fully integrated into the OS/2 WorkPlace Shell so you can begin using
  VisPro/REXX immediately, without having to learn the idiosyncrasies of an
  unfamiliar user interface.

o Ease debugging because you make on-the-fly modifications without ever leaving
  the development area.

o Provide an open development environment with support for REXX APIs including
  DB2/2, APPC and EHLLAPI.

o Provide a complete development environment with multiple CUA '91 views such
  as a List view, Event Tree view, and Layout view, each of which is tailored
  to specific development tasks.

With VisPro/REXX, you use the Layout view to design the layout of your form.
The Layout view consists of forms, a canvas, and a tool bar. You use forms to
create your projects; each form represents a window that the user of your
application will see.  The objects that you use to create your applications are
represented graphically on a tool bar.  You simply select the objects you want
to use in your application and then copy them to the canvas, which is the area
in which you lay out or design your applications.

Just Like the Workplace Shell

VisPro/REXX Bronze and VisPro/REXX Gold are fully integrated into the Workplace
Shell so they look and feel natural and instinctive. Both employ pop-up menus,
direct editing, multiple views, and settings notebooks. The products support
the OS/2 font and color palettes, so you can easily change the font or color of
your objects. An example of a notebook is the Menu page. The Menu page allows
you to design the menus for your application. To add a menu, simply select the
Add menu push button. A Menu Bar icon appears, representing the menu. You can
assign a name to the menu using direct editing. To add menu items for the menu
you created, simply select the Add item push button once for each menu item you
want to add. Then use direct editing to assign a name to each menu item.

Drag and Drop Programming

VisPro/REXX Bronze and VisPro/REXX Gold provide drag and drop capabilities
throughout the products.  The most distinctive of these capabilities is drag
and drop programming.  You begin by specifying an event for an object (for
example, the user selects a push button).  Select the object and drag it to the
Event window.  In the Event window, a window appears, allowing you to select
the action you want to perform.  The choices are presented in simple terms, and
you do not need to know the REXX statement for the action you select;
VisPro/REXX generates it for you.

Achieving the CUA '91 Ideal

The objective of the common user access (CUA) '91 standard is to make all OS/2
products share the same look and feel. HockWare understands the CUA '91
standards thoroughly, and we put this ideal into practice for VisPro/REXX
Bronze and VisPro/REXX Gold.  Because both are truly CUA '91 conforming
products, they are themselves exemplary OS/2 applications.

VisPro/REXX comes in two editions -- Bronze and Gold.  Both products provide
productive programming features at very attractive prices.

VisPro/REXX Bronze 2.0:

o Easiest-to-use visual programming environment

o First tool with Workplace Shell-enabled drag and drop programming

o More CUA '91 objects than similar programs

o Open environment with SOM Toolkit for building your own objects

o Animated graphical debugger for easier debugging

o OS/2-style help and information line tips for your programs

o Access to Database Manager, DB2/2 and Q+E Database Library

o Support for multi-threaded applications

o Ability to print reports

Suggested Retail Price:  $99

VisPro/REXX Gold 2.0 includes all of the powerful features of Bronze PLUS:

o Visual database designer for creating DB2/2 applications or
  reverse-engineering DB2/2 databases

o The most CUA '91 objects of any tool in its class

o Three-dimensional business graphics for displaying application data

o MMPM/2 Video Window for full-motion multimedia capabilities

o Ability to add Workplace Shell drag and drop and pop-up menus to your
  programs

o Also comes in a LAN version for even more savings

Suggested Retail Price:  $299

System Requirements: OS/2 2.x, 5Mb memory and 2.5 Mb hard disk space


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Getting Started ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Once you install your Evaluation version of VisPro/REXX, you can use the online
help to get information about how to use the product.  Instructions for
installing the Evaluation version, opening a project, and using the online help
are provided in the following sections.

o Installing the Evaluation Version

o Creating a VisPro/REXX Project

o Opening the Main form

o Using the VisPro/REXX Online Help

o Using the REXX Information Online Reference


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1. Installing the Evaluation Version ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To use VisPro/REXX, you must have OS/2 2.0 or any later version installed on
your system.  VisPro/REXX requires approximately 2.5 megabytes of free disk
space.  If you are installing on OS/2 2.1, be sure to select the REXX option.

NOTE: No version of VisPro/REXX should be running when you install the
Evaluation version.  If this occurs, close all VisPro/REXX windows, reboot and
then start the installation over.

To install the VisPro/REXX Evaluation version, complete the following steps:

 1. Place the Evaluation diskette in the drive you wish to install from.

 2. Press the right mouse button to get a pop-up menu on the diskette drive you
    are using.

 3. Select the arrow on the Open menu item.

 4. Select Icon View.

 5. Double-click on the SETUP.EXE program, which has the VisPro/REXX icon.

 6. Select the drive where you want to install the Evaluation version beside
    'Install on drive'.

 7. If you want to change the path you are installing on, type the path name in
    the Install path field.

 8. Select Install.

 9. When the installation is complete, the Installation Complete window
    appears.  It will prompt you for additional input if modifications to your
    CONFIG.SYS file are necessary.

10. Select OK.  Since VisPro/REXX requires a path be specified to its required
    files, you must shutdown and reboot before using the product.

    After Rebooting, the VisPro/REXX folder appears on the OS/2 desktop.

11. Double Click on the VisPro/REXX folder.

    You will see the VisPro/REXX Icon View window appear.  This window contains
    the following:

   o Projects folder:  Where you will create new projects.
   o Samples folder:  Sample programs you can run.
   o REXX Information online reference:  Allows you to get information about
     REXX.
   o Tutorial/Demo:  Contains a demonstration of VisPro/REXX
   o Color palette:  Allows you to change colors on your form.
   o Font palette:  Allows you to change the font on your form.
   o Read Me:  This Read Me File.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2. Creating a VisPro/REXX Project ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When you open the VisPro/REXX folder you created during installation, you see a
template called Project. You can drag a new folder off the Project template and
use it as your new project, which will become your application.

To open your new project, complete the following steps:

 1. Open the VisPro/REXX folder on your desktop.  To do so, double-click on the
    folder.

 2. Open the Projects folder in the VisPro/REXX folders Icon view.  To do so,
    double-click on the folder.

 3. Create a new Project folder.  To do so, press the right mouse button and
    drag a folder off the Project template in the PROJECTS - Icon View window.

    A Project folder appears.

 4. Rename your Project folder.  To do so, select the Project folder and press
    Alt while you click the left mouse button.  Type the name you want to
    assign to your new application.

    Click outside of the folder.

 5. Open your Project folder.  To do so, double-click on the folder.

    The icon view for your new application appears.  You will see a Main icon.
    The Main icon is the form you use to begin designing your application.
    After your application is complete, do not delete, move, or rename the Main
    form.

    The next section details the ways in which a form may be accessed.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3. Opening the Main Form ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To begin creating your application, you can open the Main form in one of two
ways:

o METHOD A:

  Double-click on the Main icon.  The form appears in the Layout view,
  presenting the tool bar and the canvas.  This view allows you to easily
  design your form.

o METHOD B:

  Select the Main icon, and then click the right mouse button to get the pop-up
  menu for the Main icon.  Select Open.  A cascading menu appears, allowing you
  to select the view you want to begin working with.  The Layout view is
  recommended for designin the layout of your form.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4. Using VisPro/REXX's Online Help ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

VisPro/REXX includes an extensive online help system that you can use if you
have questions while you are working.  To get information about how the online
help works, select the Help menu.  A cascading menu appears, presenting the
following menu items

o Help Index....
o General Help....
o Using Help....
o Product information....

You can select any of these items.  To find out what information each of these
items provides, highlight the item (use the arrow keys), and then press F1.

Note:  You can browse the help using the online help Contents.  To use the
Contents, select the OPTIONS menu from within any help window, and then select
CONTENTS.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5. Using the REXX Information Online Reference ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If you require information about REXX, you can use the excellent REXX
Information online reference that comes with OS/2 2.x.  If you did not include
this reference when you installed OS/ 2 2.x on your workstation, you will have
to do a selective install.  To use the reference, double click on the REXX
Information icon in the VisPro/REXX-Icon View window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. About Your Evaluation Version ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Evaluation Version of VisPro/REXX differs from the full product in several
key aspects:

 1. The Evaluation version of VisPro/REXX allows you to create only a
    single-form application.  The product version of VisPro/REXX allows you to
    create multiple-form applications.

 2. The Evaluation version does not allow you to build your application to
    create a stand-alone executable file.  The production version allows you to
    create stand-alone or small(with a DLL) executables, which can be tokenized
    or encrypted.

 3. The Database Designer is not included in the Evaluation version.  This
    feature allows you to design DB2/2 applications or reverse engineer
    existing DB2/2 databases to create entity/relationship (E/R) diagrams.
    These can then be used to create visual SQL statements and forms which
    automatically generate the code used to access Database Manager-DB2/2
    calls.

 4. The Multimedia objects are not included in the Evaluation version.  In the
    production version of the product we have used the System Object Module
    (SOM) to add the Multimedia Presentation Manager/2 (MMPM/2) controls to our
    tool box.  Users of VisPro/REXX can request the free SOM toolkit to add
    additional controls to their toolbar.

 5. The Notebook control is disabled, since Notebooks require secondary forms.
    Recall that secondary forms are not allowed in the Evaluation version.

 6. Advanced support for the Container control is not enabled in the Evaluation
    version.  In the Gold version of VisPro/REXX, users can drag and drop icons
    and files to and from the Container control.  Several different views of
    the Container control are also supported.  The following graphic
    illustrates a "details" view of a container which is set to display OS/2
    files.

 7. Q+E Database Library support is not included in the Evaluation version.  In
    the production version, users of the Q+E Database Library can use our Q+E
    Library support to tap into most of the databases available in today's
    market.

 8. Embedded Icons are not supported in the Evaluation version.  In the
    production version, you may define bitmaps and icons that can be embedded
    within the executable file.  These graphics will only be displayed in an
    executable file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Creating a Simple Application ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Creating Your First VisPro/REXX Application

You will get a quick overview of how to use VisPro/REXX when you create this
simple application. To complete the application, you will start a new project,
open a form, and add two objects to the form: a push button and an entry field.
You will provide behavior for the objects by visually programming the entry
field to say "Hello, world!" when the push button is selected. You will run
your application to make sure it works the way you want it to, and then build
it to create a stand-alone executable file. Your finished application will look
like this:

To create the application, complete the steps in the following sections.

 1. Start Your Project

 2. Open the Main Form

 3. Change the Title Bar Name

 4. Add Objects

 5. Size and Align Objects

 6. Provide Behavior

 7. Run Your Project

 8. Build Your Project


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. Start Your Project ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To start your project, complete the following steps:

 1. Open the VisPro/REXX folder that was created on your desktop during
    installation. To do so, double-click on the folder.

     The VisPro/REXX - Icon View window appears.

 2. Double-click on the Projects folder.

 3.  Create a new Project.

    To do so, press the right mouse button and drag a folder off the Project
    template.

    A new Project folder appears. This folder is assigned a default name.

 4. Rename your Project folder using direct editing. To do so, select the
    Project folder and press Alt while you click the left mouse button. Type
    your name over the existing name, and then select the pointer tool.

 5. Double-click the folder you just created and named.

    The icon view for your new application appears. You will see the following
    icons:

   o Main form, which is the form you use to begin designing your application.
     After your application is complete, do not delete, move, or rename the
     Main form.

   o Form template, which allows you to drag off additional forms if you want
     your application to have more than one window.

   o SubProcs folder, which allows you to incorporate existing REXX code into
     your application or to group commonly used code segments so they can be
     called anywhere in your program.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Open the Main Form ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To open the Main form, double-click on Main.

The Main form opens to the Layout view, which you use to easily design your
application. The Layout view is shown as follows:

The form is the environment in which you design the window that your user will
perform tasks with. For each window your user works with, you create a form.
This application consists of a single form.

The form consists of two main parts: the Tool Bar and Canvas.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2.1. The Tool Bar ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

About the Tool Bar

The tool bar consists of a series of icons. Each icon represents a tool. Each
tool is used to place a certain kind of object on the canvas. For example, the
push button tool places a push button object on the canvas. An object is a
graphical item that can be used to perform tasks. Radio buttons and list boxes
are examples of objects.

The difference between a tool and an object is that a tool is a graphical
representation of something that can be added to the canvas. Once added, it
becomes an object that can be used to perform tasks.

You can turn off the tool bar by selecting Open and then Settings from the Form
menu. Select the Options page and deselect Show tool bar. If you select Save
defaults, all the defaults you have set for the form are saved, including
fonts, grid spacing, etc. Saving defaults affects the defaults for every other
project you create. If you do not select Save defaults, your changes will
affect only the project the change was made in.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2.2. The Canvas ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

About the Canvas

The canvas is the open, gridded area below the tool bar. This is the area in
which you will design (or lay out) your form. You select the tools you need
from the tool bar and add them to the canvas. Once objects are added to the
canvas, you can customize their appearance and provide behavior for them.

You can turn off the grid lines in the canvas by selecting Open and then
Settings from the Form menu. Select the Options page and deselect Show grid. If
you select Save defaults, all the defaults you have set for the form are saved,
including fonts, gridspacing, etc. Saving defaults affects the defaults for
every other project you create. If you do not select Save defaults, your
changes will affect only  the project the change was made in.

Note: Snap to grid forces the object to align with the nearest grid line. If
you do not want to use this feature, deselect it.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3. Change the Title Bar Name ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Change the name on the title bar of your application to say "Hello, World
Project." To do so, complete the following steps:

 1. From the Form menu, select Open, and then Settings.

     A notebook appears.

 2. Select the General tab.

 3. Type Hello, World Application in the field beside Title bar text.

 4. Double-click the system menu icon (in the upper left corner) to close the
    settings view.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.4. Add Your Objects ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can now add your objects to the canvas of the Layout view. For this
application, you will add a push button and an entry field.

To add the push button object, complete the following steps:

 1. Select the push button tool on the tool bar.

 2. Click anywhere on the left portion of the canvas.

 3. Use direct editing to rename your push button "OK." To do so, click the
    push button while you hold down the Alt key. Type over the existing text,
    then select the pointer tool.

To add the entry field object, complete the following steps:

 1. Select the entry field tool on the tool bar.

 2. Click anywhere on the right portion of the canvas.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.5. Size and Align Your Objects ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To size your entry field so that the text fits, select the entry field, then
position the mouse pointer over the left or right side until you see a double
arrow. Drag the edge of the field until the entry field is about twice as long
as it was.

To align your two objects so the canvas looks tidy, use the Arrange feature.
Complete the following steps:

 1. Select both the push button object and the entry field object (one way to
    do this is to hold down the Ctrl key and click on each object).

 2. From the Selected menu, select Arrange.

 3. Select Align bottom.

    The objects are aligned with the bottommost object.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6. Provide Behavior For Your Application ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Now program your objects so that when the user selects the push button, the
entry field says "Hello, World!" To do this, complete the following steps:

 1. Select the push button.

 2. Click the right mouse button to get a pop-up menu for the push button.

 3. Select When, and then Clicked/selected.

    An Event window appears with the statement Arg window self at the top. Move
    the Event window so you can see both the Main form and the Event window at
    the same time.

 4. Holding down the right mouse button, drag from your entry field object in
    the canvas to the Event window. Release the mouse when the focus point is
    anywhere below the Arg window self statement.

    The Create Link window appears, presenting an alphabetical list of choices.

 5. Scroll down and select Set item value. Then select OK.

    A REXX statement appears in the Event window.

 6. Change value to 'Hello, World!' (include the single quotes). The Event
    window should look like this:

Arg window self

/* Set item value  Entry Field */
CALL VpSetItemValue window,1001,'Hello, World!'

It is not necessary to close any of your windows before you go on to the next
step.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.7. Run Your Application ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 You can test your application to see how it works before you build it. To test
your application without starting the debugger, complete the following steps:

 1. Select the Form menu on the Main form.

 2. Select Run....

    Your application appears. If you select the OK push button, the entry field
    displays the text "Hello, World!"


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.8. Build Your Application ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To build your application so others can use it, complete the following steps:

 1. Select the Form menu on the Main form.

 2. Select Build.

    The Build Options window appears, shown as follows:

    The RUN.EXE file appears in your project folder. This executable file
    allows you or anyone else to run the program you just created.

    Note: You can use direct editing to change the name of your executable
    file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. How To Order VisPro/REXX ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

VisPro/REXX is available directly from HockWare or from your favorite software
reseller.

Telephone  FAX:

[phone], Fax: [phone]

CompuServe:

CompuServe ID#: 71333,3226

You can reach our forum in the OS/2 Vendors forum by typing GO HOCKWARE

Internet:

Internet ID: [e-mail]

ADDRESS:

HockWare Incorporated, P.O. Box 336, Cary, NC 27512-0366 (USA)

The next section contains an online order form, which you may print out to use
when mailing or faxing your order to us.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1. Order Form for VisPro/REXX ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

SHIPPING ADDRESS:                    BILLING ADDRESS:

Name: ____________________________   Name: ____________________________
Company: _________________________   Company: _________________________
Address: _________________________   Address: _________________________
__________________________________   __________________________________
City: ____________________________   City: ____________________________
State: ___________________________   State: ___________________________
Country: _________________________   Country: _________________________
Zip: _____________________________   Zip: _____________________________
Phone: ___________________________   Phone: ___________________________
FAX: _____________________________   FAX: _____________________________
PAYMENT METHOD: (Circle)
Check  Purchase Order(Include copy of PO)  Credit Card:  Visa   Amex   MC
Wire Transfer                              Account Number:
                                           ______________________________
                                           Expiration Date: _____________

UPS SHIPPING and HANDLING FEES: (Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Intnl.
                                 shipping fees vary.  Please call.)
Ground: 1-3 Copies    $7.00      each additional copy:        $2.00
2nd day air: 1 copy   15.00      each additional copy:         4.00
Next day air: 1 copy  25.00      each additional copy:         6.00

ITEM                    QUANTITY    UNIT PRICE          TOTAL
VisPro/REXX Gold 2.0    __________  $299.00             _____________
VisPro/REXX BRONZE 2.0  __________  $99.00              _____________
                                    SUBTOTAL            _____________
                                    Sales Tax
                         (residents of NC, 6% subtotal) _____________
                                    Shipping            _____________
                                    TOTAL               _____________
Where did you hear about VisPro/REXX?  Please list the name of the
magazine or other source.  Thanks!
Article __________________________    Catalog _____________________________
Advertisement ____________________    Direct Mail _________________________
Electronic Bulletin ______________    Other _______________________________

    HockWare, Inc. Telephone [phone]   FAX [phone]