1. New navigation bar
With Visual Expert 6.0, some treeview macros include parameters.
These parameters let you adjust the result expected from the Macro.
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2. New Macros
2.1. Less Macros, more parameters
All treeview macros have been redeveloped and reorganized
A few standard macros are now available for all languages (PB,
PL/SQL, and T-SQL):
- Same concept and same Macro name from one language to another
- Each macro uses parameters to cover most needs
- These parameters depend on the type of component selected in
the treeview
2.2. Macros shortcuts in the
Treeview Menu
The pop-menu in the treeview (right-click on an item in the treeview)
now includes the main macros available for the selected item –
no need to go to the navigation bar.
2.3. Macros Extensions
The system allowing the extension of macros is now available with
a right-click on the Navigation bar.
Some extensions have already been released. The list of macros
will evolve.
2.4. New Macros to list objects
in the treeview
Objects can now be listed in the treeview with 2 macros:
- The macro "All <Object>" lists
all the objects of this type.
This macro is executed by default with a double-click at the root
of the treeview.
- The macro "Filter <Object>"
offers various parameters to filter each type of object.
Each filter macro offers a list of filter options.
By default, these options are not activated. You can activate
them by checking the corresponding box:
2.5. New macros to identify
specific DataWindows
Several new macros have been added with Version 6.0, available
at the root of the DWs:
2.6. Mapping DataWindows / DBMS
Visual Expert 6.0 also includes a new “DB columns”
macro for DataWindows.
This macro displays the DW- DBMS mapping: it shows which table.column
in the DBMS corresponds to each DW column.
2.7. PowerBuilder <=>
Stored Procedures dependencies
A new Macro called « SP dependencies » lists all stored
procedures referenced by PB objects:
- This macro is available at the root of the treeview for each
type of PB components
- It is also available for PB objects displayed in the treeview
2.8. Inheritance hierarchy (Windows/UO/Menus)
Visual Expert 5.x offered 2 different macros: Descendants + Ancestors
With Visual Expert 6.0, the same Macro displays
both Ancestors and Descendants:
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3. New Impact Analysis
3.1. Result displayed at instruction-level
Visual Expert used to perform impact Analysis across the entire
application and provide a component-level result in the treeview.
Visual Expert 6.0 now provides a fine-grain result at instruction
level!
3.2. Impact Analysis Examples
3.2.1. Impact Analysis on a Table
Exemple 1: Table « bonus » used in a PowerBuilder
Script
Exemple 2: Table « bonus » used in a PowerBuilder
Datawindow
Exemple 3: Table « bonus » used in a Stored
Procedure
3.2.2. Impact Analysis on a DB COLUMN
Exemple 1: Column « bonus.bonus_date » used in a
PowerBuilder Script
Exemple 2: Column « bonus.bonus_date » used in a
PowerBuilder Datawindow
Exemple 3: Column « bonus.bonus_date » used in a
Stored Procedure
3.2.3. Impact Analysis on a Stored Procedure
Exemple: Impact Analysis for the stored procedure « sp_deleteemployee
»:
Visual Expert will find all references to stored procedures and
display a result at instruction-level:
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4. Exploring references
with Visual Expert 6.0
4.1. References found in PowerBuilder
components
4.1.1. Datawindow
When a DataWindow in based on a SQL DataSource, the table and
columns referenced are listed in the treeview and highlighted
in the source:
Both « update » and « select » procedures
are displayed as referenced by the DataWindow
4.1.2. PowerScripts
All items referenced by a Script are listed in the treeview and
highlighted in the code.
4.1.3. RPC FUNC
An RPCFUNC declaration is another solution for PowerBuilder to
use a stored procedure.
This declaration is similar to the declaration of an external
dll function. The RPCFUNC keyword indicates that a stored procedure
is called (and not a dll function).
Visual Expert considers RPCFUNC methods like any other method
of the component:
When an RPCFUNC method or dll is selected, Visual Expert displays
its declaration:
Visual Expert also displays the references to RPCFUNC or dll functions
when they are selected:
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4.2. References between PL/SQL
and T-SQL Components
4.2.1. Oracle Package
A Package is related to any item referenced by the package itself
or its procedures, types, etc…
As a result, a Package may reference lots of items. You can list
all referenced items in the treeview and select one of them: the
source code will automatically highlight the references to this
item.
4.2.2. Stored Procedures
Visual Expert can list the items referenced by a stored procedure.
This is the same concept as the Oracle Packages, with a scope
limited to a stored procedure:
4.2.3. Other DB Code items
Visual Expert also analyses Views, Types and Cursors.
It supports references to tables and columns with on the instruction
%Type
4.2.4. PL/SQL %TYPE references
Visual Expert supports all %TYPE references. Parent items (Views,
Types, and Cursors) and the table/column referenced. For instance:
4.2.5. Parameters & Local Variables
Variables & Parameters are referenced as any other DB Item.
Each reference will be highlighted in the source code.
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5. New source code view
5.1. Hyperlinks in the code
Hyperlinks are now available in the source code, both for methods
and variables:
A click on a referenced method will display its source code (Go
to definition):
A click on a referenced variable will display its declaration
(Go to declaration):
5.2. Title of the source code
view
The title of the source code view now displays the containers
of the current code. After clicking on a hyperlink in the code,
it helps to understand where is located the current code.
- For instance: //{PBL}/{composant}/{contrôle}/{méthode}
- Or //{text file}/{Package}/{Procedure}
5.3. Search in the source code
view
The search feature in the source code view has been redeveloped:
- When entering a string in the “find” field, the
code automatically scrolls down to display the first occurrence
found.
- The number of occurrences found in this code is automatically
displayed.
- Each line containing a reference is marked with a bullet
- You can type [enter]/[Shift Enter] to navigate up/down in
the list of occurrences, or click on the up/down button.
- An Index shows the number of all lines containing an occurrence
of the string.
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6. Technical documentation
6.1 Technical documentationfor
Oracle Stored procedures
The technical documentation is now available for PL/SQL code:
Packages, Stored procedures, Triggers, Types, Views (image de
newsletter)
7. Miscellaneous
7.1. Object Previews
While exploring your application, you can use the Macro “Preview”
to display a graphical preview of PowerBuilder Windows, Datawindows
or Visual UserObjects:
7.2. Tooltips
When you move the mouse over code item, Visual Expert displays
ToolTips:
They provide additional information about this item (object, method,
variable, table…).
Such tooltips are available:
- For the items listed in the treeview
- For the items referenced in the source code view
- For the controls displayed in a preview (see the section
Object Preview)
Tooltips examples:
7.3. “Short List”
View
You can now select items in the treeview and in the source code
and group them in a specific treeview tabpage called “ShortList”:
7.4. Technical requirements
- Polymorphism is now supported: it required Visual Expert
exceptions to be declared
- Visual Expert GUI has been migrated to PB11 for future integration
of .NET controls in VE
- PB11 Pre-processing supported: C# code is identified and
ignored for now.
- PB 11.5 is now supported (syntax analysis, integration with
PB 11.5 IDE…)
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