How to create VDF Web Applications: Difference between revisions

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= The overall idea  =
= The overall idea  =
When you develop ASP pages using vdf then you develop COM compents that run on the serverside and are 'glued' together using a scripting language like
When you have decided to use ASP , then you should try to resist the urge to generate all the html from Visual DataFlex. There are some existing techniques in the web world that can save you time in the long run.


*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VBScript vbscript]
First of all you should understand that ASP is not a new programming language that you need to learn. VDF code can be exposed for asp via COM so that you can call the components via vbscript. ASP is about interfacing code to HTML in a easy way - so use it !
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JScript jscript] (jscript is microsofts version of [[Javascript]] )


This means that '''asp itself should not be used as a programming language''' - it is a fast way of writing the html to go together with serverside components you develop in Visual DataFlex (VDF). The trick is that you can write lots of HTML in asp - outside your code. If you have problems you need to solve as a programmer, then the best idea is to try solve them in Visual DataFlex first , then expose the developed functionality as a web object embedded in your asp page.
== Datamodel model using VDF on the server ==
 
== VDF on the serverside ==
*WBO
*WBO
*Global.asa (this is where your code is stackup up. check the list of WBP's there)
*Global.asa (this is where your code is stackup up. check the list of WBP's there)


== Styling using css =
Cascading style sheets can be used to alter the appearance of your web page.
*[http://www.quirksmode.org/css/contents.html quirksmode css]


 
== Javascript on the client ==
== Javascript and HTML on the clientside ==
 
Now - after having being told that you really shouldn't be doing any clientside code when you are a vdf programmer, then here are some instructions for doing exactly that! (Note that you can accomplish a lot just by using the wizards in the AJAX library )  
Now - after having being told that you really shouldn't be doing any clientside code when you are a vdf programmer, then here are some instructions for doing exactly that! (Note that you can accomplish a lot just by using the wizards in the AJAX library )  
   
   
=== Toolset for checking your clientside stuff ===


 
== Validation
You should always make sure that any html/javascript/css you do validates to the current standards. It will save you time in the long run.
 
 
'''
*[[HTML]] ( validate here: [http://validator.w3.org/]  )
*[[HTML]] ( validate here: [http://validator.w3.org/]  )
*[[CSS|Cascading Style Sheets]] ( validate here: http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/ )
*[[CSS|Cascading Style Sheets]] ( validate here: http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/ )
*[[Javascript]] ( validate here: http://www.jslint.com/ )
*[[Javascript]] ( validate here: http://www.jslint.com/ )


'''Advanced techniques'''
 
*[http://www.quirksmode.org/js/contents.html quirksmode javacript ]
*[http://www.quirksmode.org/js/contents.html quirksmode javacript ]
*[http://www.quirksmode.org/css/contents.html quirksmode css]


[[category: Web Programming]] [[Category:Stub]] [[Category:Cookbook]]
[[category: Web Programming]] [[Category:Stub]] [[Category:Cookbook]]

Revision as of 15:41, 24 January 2009

How to create VDF Web Applications page under construction


Introduction

Getting started

To be able to develop ASP pages , then you need Internet Information Server. The most easy way to get that these days is to grab Microsofts Web Platform installer here :

http://www.microsoft.com/web/channel/products/WebPlatformInstaller.aspx

This tool will provide you with a full stack for developing asp related things. It will also keep track of certain things you need to enable on Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.


You will also need to install Webapp server from the Portal:Visual DataFlex installer. Note that you will need version 14.1 to support the windows 2008 server.

The overall idea

When you have decided to use ASP , then you should try to resist the urge to generate all the html from Visual DataFlex. There are some existing techniques in the web world that can save you time in the long run.

First of all you should understand that ASP is not a new programming language that you need to learn. VDF code can be exposed for asp via COM so that you can call the components via vbscript. ASP is about interfacing code to HTML in a easy way - so use it !

Datamodel model using VDF on the server

  • WBO
  • Global.asa (this is where your code is stackup up. check the list of WBP's there)

= Styling using css

Cascading style sheets can be used to alter the appearance of your web page.

Javascript on the client

Now - after having being told that you really shouldn't be doing any clientside code when you are a vdf programmer, then here are some instructions for doing exactly that! (Note that you can accomplish a lot just by using the wizards in the AJAX library )


== Validation