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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
| Hyperlinks and nestingAxisbase allows objects in lists and windows to hyperlink to other building blocks - which means the object text is shown with an underline, and the user can click on it to go somewhere. It also supports some building blocks nested (embedded) within other ones. The two features work in similar ways. Hold onto your hats though - the features give you a lot of flexibility and this can be a source of confusion. Uses of hyperlinksHyperlinks are useful:
Uses of nestingNesting is useful:
Creating a nested or hyperlinked building blockTo create a cell containing a nested building block, select an empty cell in the band editor, then choose Nested Building Block on the Insert context menu. To convert an existing cell to a hyperlink cell, select the cell in the band editor, then choose Nest/Link Properties from the context menu. Then you will see a popup window allowing you to select the building block, the data source override, and additional hyperlink properties.
Drill down exampleSuppose you have a list of customers, and a list of sales for one customer, and you want to hyperlink them together, with the functionality that the user can click on the customer name in the customer list and view a list of sales for that customer. To do this, the sales list must be based on a data subset that has a parameter. Call the parameter "customer". First develop the sales list so that if you open it, it first asks for a customer, then shows the sales for that customer. Get this working first before attempting the hyperlink. Now, in the customer list, Layout tab, select the customer name cell and choose Nest/Link Properties. Choose the sales list as the target building block. There is no need to override the data source in this example. For the Arguments section of the popup, add a new row with the Name "customer" (this must match the parameter name in the target building block). The Value should be the column in the customer data table that identifies the customer, which is the key column. Use expression syntax, not just the column name. For example: "#PLUTO.customer.key". Navigating among related building blocksBuilding blocks can be stored in the database directly, in which case they have a name and are visible in the Building Blocks window. Or they can be stored within other building blocks. From the band editor, you can choose the command Open Nest/link Item to open a building block referenced by a cell. |