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Evaluation
Summary for programmers
Product limitations
Goals of Axisbase
Quick start
Installation
Using the launchpad and opening databases
Connecting to a sample database
Using building blocks
Planning
Define the purpose
Define the requirements
Borrow existing work
Determine the architecture
Design the data model
Design the process model
Deploy and maintain the product
Tutorials
building blocks
Performing a mailmerge
Bulk e-mailing
Programming
Single-threaded progress indicator in c#
Reference
Database menu items
Import XML
Save Copy As
Integrity Check
Change Password
Database Properties window
Opening the database properties window
Record types tab
Display types tab
Roles and Users tabs
Sidebar tab
Database ID/Links tab
Counters tab
Building blocks
Building blocks window
Editing grids and cells
Hyperlinks and nesting
Data Subset window
Data Outsource window
List window
Window window
Report window
Bulk Operation window
Label Printer window
Choosing a data source
Special topics
Expression syntax
Browse records
Storing building blocks within other building blocks
Programming
Using custom code in building blocks
Using Axisbase as an embedded database
Axis1.Util namespace reference
Axis1.Data namespace reference (Fishnets)
Axis1.Data namespace reference (other)
Axis1.Forms namespace reference
| Using building blocksThis page describes how to use the Axisbase building blocks. The information is condensed to the essentials needed for end-users. If you are a developer or are building your own building blocks or code, refer to the how-to section of the documentation. Opening the building blocks
Depending on how your database was setup, there may be one or more sections in the navigation bar. Open the sections and click once on an option to open a building block. A building block is a data subset, list, graph, window, or report. Using lists - basic navigationAn Axisbase list looks like this
Lists are composed of rows, one row for each record. Each row consists of cells. One cell is selected at a time, unless you extend the selection to multiple rows, in which case all cells in the rows are selected. Options are:
Sorting and filtering in listsIf you have a long list, it is useful to sort it (change the order rows are displayed in), or filter it (hide some of the rows). All sorting and filtering is temporary and just affects the current display; none of these changes affect the saved data. There are four commands that initiate sorting and filtering. You can memorize the shortcut letters S, R, T, and F.
If you don't remember the shortcut keys, click on the triangle in the corner of the selected cell, or right-click in the cell, or press the Windows context-menu key on the keyboard. This list is sorted by a column and the unique values of the column are visible along the left side. (the result of the F command)
This list is sorted by a column and the unique values are hidden (collapsed). (the result of the S, R, or T commands)
Once you have a column name in the upper left, (either with the values showing or collapsed) there are several things you can do with it.
Using lists - data entry modePress Enter or double-click on a cell to start data entry mode. Press Esc to switch back to browsing mode. Unlike some other systems, the Esc key does not undo changes; it simply changes the display mode. While in data entry mode, most of the browsing commands are not available, such as sorting and filtering. The following keys work differently in data entry mode:
Notice that as you change cells, the Change menu becomes highlighted and counts the changes you make. Commands relevant to data entry are as follows. (To enter the commands by letter, first end data entry mode by pressing Esc.)
Entering different types of dataIf the cell being edited is defined as a string (text), enter the text. Pressing Enter will insert a new line in the text, even if the entry field is shown on only one line. If the cell is a date, press Alt-Down arrow or click on the down-arrow icon to open the calendar for quick date selection. If the cell is a reference to another record, there are two ways to choose the other record:
If the cell is a checkbox, click on it, or press the spacebar to check or uncheck it. Entering parametersSome windows can have the option to enter parameters. (Namely, the data subset, list, window, or report windows.) Parameters are values you enter to control which record(s) are loaded for display. For example, if you are asked "Show which customer?" you could enter some letters, and only customers whose names start with those letters would be displayed. The letters you enter are the parameter value. If you navigate to a window that requires parameters, you will be asked to enter them. If you have already entered them and want to change them, press the "Enter parameters" hyperlink as shown here.
In addition to asking for parameter values, Axisbase will sometimes allow you to choose whether you want to include a parameterized filter or not. This is done with a checkbox, as shown here:
If you check the box, you can enter the parameter; otherwise the parameter is hidden. This may not be available depending on how the database was set up. If you proceed with the box unchecked and no value entered, the search restriction will not be applied. |