Oracle Forms Developer and Reports Developer Release 6i:
Guidelines for Building Applications

A73073-01

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A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  R  S  T  U  V  W 


A

action
in Project Builder
automating, 1-7
definition, 1-4
multiple platforms, 1-22
ActiveX controls, 6-17
built-ins, 6-9
examples, 6-24
properties, 6-20
Activex controls
use guidelines, 6-21
alerts, 2-27
ALTER SESSION, 4-14
using to change NLS_LANG, 4-2
using to specify default format mask, 4-14
anchor, 2-33, 2-34
animation, 3-33
application
associating modules with, 1-7
customizing using foreign functions, 6-26
deploying, 1-25
design and development, 1-10
designing for portability, 5-1
designing user interface, 2-1
maintenance and support, 1-18
managing, 1-1
multilingual, 4-1
multiple platforms, 1-21
project administrator role, 1-19
release phase, 1-25
running against ODBC datasources, 6-70
software development life cycle, 1-2
test phase, 1-22
translating, 4-18
application server, 3-31
array processing, 3-11

B

bar graph, 2-38
Base Printing On property, 2-35
bidirectional support, 4-6
in Form Builder, 4-7
in Report Builder, 4-8
language environment variable, 4-6
Big Font, 4-10
block
in Form Builder
definition, 2-11
design guidelines, 2-23
boilerplate, 2-33
break groups, 3-24
Build From type action, 1-8
built-ins
OLE and ActiveX, 6-9
button, 2-33
portability considerations, 5-7, 5-18

C

canvas
in Form Builder
definition, 2-14
design guidelines, 2-19
changes at runtime, 3-32
character data
sorting, 4-13
character set, 4-1, 4-4
conversion, 4-4
design considerations, 4-4
multibyte, 4-4
character-mode platform
for forms, 5-14
for reports, 5-19
Clearcase, 1-10
color
design guidelines, 2-18
portability considerations, 5-4, 5-18
compiling
modifying results, 1-21
project, 1-20
configuration choice, 3-30
connection strings, 1-9
creating, 1-14
console
portability considerations, 5-8
container window, 2-12
Content canvas, 2-14
context-sensitive help, 2-29
control block, 2-12
COPIES parameter, 3-27

D

data block, 2-12
data model, 3-12
Data Model view, 2-32
database design, 3-12
debug mode, 3-22
default format mask
specifying with ALTER SESSION, 4-14
specifying with the language environment variable, 4-11
DEI file, 1-29
Deliver File property, 1-9
Deliverable Type property, 1-8
DEPLOY directory, 1-29
desktop machine, 3-31
DEVELOPER_NLS_LANG, 4-2, 4-3
obtaining the current value of, 4-16
using for bidirectional applications, 4-6
display size, 3-33
distribution media, 1-26
definition of, 1-26
DO_SQL procedure, 3-29
Double-Y, 2-39
DPI (dots per inch)
portability considerations, 5-18

E

embedded object, 6-3
entry
in Project Builder, 1-4
explicit anchor, 2-34
export
cross-platform development, 1-9
external activation, 6-4

F

fetch-ahead, 3-27
field, 2-33
fixed sizes, 3-22
font
portability considerations, 5-5, 5-18
font aliases, 5-5
font aliasing, 4-5
font substitution, 4-5
font support
for Unicode, 4-10
foreign function, 6-26
creating, 6-31
examples, 6-38
interface, 6-27
use guidelines, 6-29
form
character-mode platforms, 5-14
Form Builder
bidirectional support, 4-7
building effective forms, 2-10
character-mode platforms, 5-14
design guidelines, 2-16
designing for portability, 5-2, 5-11
using with Open API, 6-52
Form module, 2-10
format element
number, 4-14
format mask
default, 4-11
design considerations, 4-11
overriding the default, 4-12
specifying default with ALTER SESSION, 4-14
specifying default with the language environment variable, 4-11
format triggers, 3-20
formatting attributes, 3-23
frame, 2-33
in Form Builder, 2-12

G

Gantt, 2-39
get_application_property, 5-13
Global Registry, 1-11
in Project Builder, 1-5
global variables, 3-19
Graphics Builder
creating effective displays, 2-37
designing for portability, 5-19
group filters, 3-14
GTM GlossaryTerm, Glossary-8
GUI (graphical user interface)
see user interface

H

handles for referencing, 3-30
hardware power, 3-34
headings
H1 Head1, 2-31, 2-32
High-low, 2-39
Horizontal Elasticity, 2-35
hyperlinks, 3-33

I

icon
portability considerations, 5-6
image resolution, 3-23
implicit anchor, 2-34
implied item, 1-8
import
cross-platform development, 1-9
in-place activation, 6-4
INS file, 1-29
installable component, 1-26
installation
files, 1-27
process, 1-30
item
in Form Builder
definition, 2-11
design guidelines, 2-23

J

JAR files, 3-33
Java class files, 3-33
just-in-time compiling, 3-34

K

Kanji characters, 4-22
Keep with Anchoring Object property, 2-37

L

language conventions, 4-5
language environment variable, 4-2
DEVELOPER_NLS_LANG, 4-2
NLS_LANG, 4-2
USER_NLS_LANG, 4-2
using to specify character set, 4-4
using to specify default format mask, 4-11
using to specify language, 4-5
using to specify territory, 4-5
Launcher, 1-5
Launcher toolbar, 1-10
Layout Model view, 2-32, 2-33
library usage, 3-33
Line chart, 2-39
linked object, 6-3
LOBs, 3-18
locking, 3-19
LOGON parameter, 3-29
LONGCHUNK parameter, 3-26
LONGs, 3-18

M

macro
in Project Builder, 1-4
multiple platforms, 1-22
MAP file, 1-28
maximizing performance
See performance suggestions
measuring performance, 3-7
menu
in Form Builder
design guidelines, 2-30
portability considerations, 5-7
menu items, enabling/disabling, 3-32
Menu module, 2-10
messages
in Form Builder
design guidelines, 2-27
microhelp, 2-29
moat, 5-7
modal window, 2-12
modeless window, 2-12
modules
adding to project, 1-14
assigning connection strings to, 1-9
checking in and out, 1-21
creating dependencies, 1-8, 1-14
creating install package, 1-9
editing, 1-20
in Form Builder, 2-10
monitor
portability considerations, 5-3
multibyte character set, 4-1, 4-4
multilingual application, 4-1
translating, 4-18
multimedia, 3-33
multiple datasources
See also
use guidelines
multiple servers, 3-35
multi-tiered server, 3-28

N

National Language Support (NLS), 4-1
navigation between forms, 3-18
NLS, see National Language Support
NLS_CALENDAR, 4-2, 4-14, 4-16
NLS_CREDIT, 4-2
NLS_CURRENCY, 4-2, 4-14, 4-16
NLS_DATE_FORMAT, 4-2, 4-14
NLS_DATE_LANGUAGE, 4-2, 4-14, 4-16
NLS_DEBIT, 4-2
NLS_ISO_CURRENCY, 4-2, 4-14, 4-16
NLS_LANG, 4-2
changing with ALTER SESSION, 4-2
setting for Unicode, 4-10
setting for UTF-8, 4-10
syntax, 4-2
NLS_LANGUAGE, 4-14
NLS_LIST_SEPARATOR, 4-2
NLS_MONETARY_CHARACTERS, 4-2
NLS_NUMERIC_CHARACTERS, 4-2, 4-14, 4-16
NLS_SORT, 4-2, 4-14
NLS_TERRITORY, 4-14
NLSSORT, 4-13
non-Oracle foreign function, 6-27
number format element, 4-14

O

object group, 2-6
object library, 2-5
definition, 2-15
Object Library module, 2-11
OCA
See
OCA (Open Client Adapter)
OCA.PLL, 6-71
overview, 6-70
running applications against ODBC datasources, 6-74
use guidelines
OCX
See
ODBC (Open Database Connectivity)
See
OLE (Object Linking and Embedding), 6-2
about OLE automation, 6-5
about OLE servers and containers, 6-3
built-ins, 6-9
container properties, 6-7
embedded objects, 6-3
examples, 6-15
external activation, 6-4
in-place activation, 6-4
linked objects, 6-3
registration database, 6-4
See also
use guidelines, 6-13
online help
implementing, 2-29
portability considerations, 5-10
Open API
creating or modifying modules, 6-55
examples, 6-56
overview, 6-52
use guidelines, 6-55
Open Client Adapter
See
OPENDB.PLL, 6-71
operating system
portability considerations, 5-9
ORA_FFI, 6-27
Oracle Applications object library, 2-5, 2-15
Oracle Call Interface foreign function, 6-27
Oracle File Packager, 1-26
Oracle Installer, 1-26, 1-27
Oracle precompiler foreign function, 6-27
ORACONNECT, 1-4
ORDER BY clause
using NLSSORT to control, 4-13

P

Page Break After property, 2-36
Page Break Before property, 2-36
Page Protect property, 2-37
Parameter Form view, 2-32
paths, specifying, 3-28
PDF, 4-4
performance suggestions
client/server specific, 3-30
data usage, 3-11
Form Builder specific, 3-15
Graphics Builder specific, 3-29
introduction to, 3-5
Java specific, 3-31
measurements, 3-7
Report Builder specific, 3-19
sharing work, 3-14
three-tier environment specific, 3-31
upgrades, 3-10
web specific, 3-31
pie chart, 2-38
platform
portability considerations, 5-9
PL/SQL
translating strings, 4-20
PL/SQL efficiency, 3-12
PL/SQL libraries
using to translate a multilingual application, 4-20
PL/SQL Library module, 2-11, 2-31
popup hints, 2-29
portability
designing applications, 5-1
managing multi-platform projects, 1-21
registries, 1-21
user interface considerations, 2-6
PRD file, 1-27
preface
Send Us Your Comments, xiii
pre-loading, 3-34
Print Object On property, 2-35
Product
definition of, 1-26
project
building, 1-20
creating, 1-12
definition, 1-4
multiple platforms, 1-21
packaging for release, 1-25
project administrator, 1-6
creating a project, 1-12
definition of role, 1-6
managing multi-platform projects, 1-22
release phase, 1-25
test phase, 1-23
working with projects, 1-19
Project Builder
accessing other tools, 1-9
benefits, 1-7
installing, 1-11
overview, 1-3
roles, 1-6
terminology, 1-4
project items
implied items, 1-8
Project Navigator, 1-5
project registry file
definition, 1-5
sharing and porting, 1-9
Project Wizard, 1-12
prompt
portability considerations, 5-8
Property Palette, 1-5
PVCS, 1-10

R

record group fetch size, 3-18
Ref Cursor, 3-15
region
in Form Builder
definition, 2-12
design guidelines, 2-22
registration database, 6-4
registry
in Project Builder, 1-5
portability, 1-21
registry file
sharing and porting, 1-9
release phase, 1-25
repeating frame, 2-33
report
on character-mode platforms, 5-19
Report Builder
bidirectional support, 4-8
building effective reports, 2-30
character-mode platforms, 5-19
controlling layout objects, 2-33
designing for portability, 5-18
Editor views, 2-32
modules, 2-31
templates, 2-32
report definition file
using NLS parameters in, 4-17
Report module, 2-31
residence choice, 3-31
runtime changes, 3-32
runtime language switching, 4-19
runtime parameters, 3-22

S

scalability
See performance suggestions
Scatter, 2-39
screen
design considerations, 4-21
screen design
for translation, 4-21
Send Us Your Comments
boilerplate, xiii
server (tier-two machine), 3-31
servers, multiple, 3-35
sharing between components, 3-14
shortcut built-ins, 3-30
software development life cycle, 1-2
source control
multiple platforms, 1-22
setting up, 1-15
using, 1-10
space reduction
See performance suggestions
speed, improving
See performance suggestions
SQL efficiency, 3-12
SQL functions
using NLS parameters with, 4-16
SRW.DO_SQL, 3-25
SRW.SET_ATTR, 3-26
Stacked canvas, 2-14
Stage area
definition of, 1-26
stage area, 1-26
Standard object library, 2-5, 2-15
StarBase, 1-10
StarTeam, 1-10
storage for documents, 3-28
storage reduction
See performance suggestions
stored procedures, 3-15
storyboard, 2-7
subproject
in Project Builder, 1-4
system test, 1-2

T

Tab canvas, 2-14
table linking, 3-21
table of records, 3-16
template, 2-6, 2-32
territory conventions, 4-5
test phase, 1-22
three-tier structure, 3-31
Toolbar canvas, 2-14
Tooltips, 2-29
translating a multilingual application, 4-18
using PL/SQL libraries, 4-20
using runtime language switching, 4-19
using Translation Builder, 4-18
Translation Builder, 4-18
using to translate a multilingual application, 4-18
transparent objects, 3-22
type
in Project Builder, 1-4

U

UIFONT.ALI, 5-5
Unicode, 4-8
font support, 4-10
setting NLS_LANG, 4-10
support, 4-9
UTF-8, 4-8
unit test, 1-2
user exit
interface to foreign functions, 6-27, 6-35
ORA_FFI, 6-27
portability considerations, 5-11
user exits, 3-24
user feedback
gathering, 2-9
user interface
building, 2-9
designing, 2-1
designing for portability, 5-2
translating, 4-10
user registry
in Project Builder
customizing, 1-17
definition, 1-5
user requirements
defining, 2-3
USER_NLS_LANG, 4-2, 4-3
obtaining the current value of, 4-16
using for bidirectional applications, 4-6
using to translate a multilingual application, 4-19
UTF-8, 4-8, 4-9
setting NLS_LANG, 4-10

V

validation, 3-32
variable sizes, 3-23
version label, 1-19
versions
synchronizing, 1-19
Vertical Elasticity, 2-35
viewports, 2-14
VRF file, 1-29

W

WHERE clause
using NLSSORT to compare strings, 4-13
white space, 4-21
widget usage, 3-19
window
in Form Builder
definition, 2-12
design guidelines, 2-21
word wrapping, 3-23

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