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I would like to start this article by
thanking deVBuzz and all it's contributors. To date it is the
only site I have found that is truly dedicated to sharing information
about eVB development. It's because of their generosity that I
am now on the fast track to fame, fortune and adoration by millions.
I got into programming for the PocketPC platform
only a little while ago. Although I had owned a Casio E-100 for
almost two years, it wasn't until my company started handing out
iPaq's to some its people that I really got into it. Promising
that I could develop useful programs, for the management, was
the only way I could convince them that I too was worthy of having
one.
My next challenge was to figure out what to
program. More then anything I wanted to be able to download information
from the numerous Access programs we have around the office and
view it on the spot. Having that ability would be very useful
at meetings. Simply download the information about the project
discussed, and if necessary pull the tables on the iPaq and recite
some figures. It really impresses the management.
At first I downloaded a few shareware utilities
that promised to let me perform such tasks. Most notably were
HandyDB and abcDatabase. Both were Ok, but I am very particular
about how I like to manage information, and I hate to pay for
anything I could build my self. With that in mind I started to
build my own cdb table utility.
I love my iPaq but it is a love/hate relationship,
because I also love to see the "big picture". Whenever
I view a huge table of information, or create flow a chart I always
reduce the view size so that I can see as much information as
possible. Notably a Palmtop's small screen is not conducive to
such mentality. So my challenge was how to get the most out its
small screen. I promptly discarded the idea of using menus, I
hate drilling down through them to find the one option I need
to execute, and even more I hate explaining it to users. Next
I abandoned the idea of using tabs, it gives users the ability
to skips steps like selecting a database and table. You have no
idea how many people will go straight for the "show me"
option, even though they never went through the selection steps.
With all that in mind I will try to explain
my program. Please keep in mind that what I am sharing with you
today is by no means the final product. If anybody finds a better
way to perform any of the functions and task in this article I,
and I am sure rest of the deVBuzz community, would greatly appreciate
it.
I separated the screen, into four areas. At
the top is a text box and drop down list, changing positions as
required. At the bottom the screen, is a label where the messages
are displayed. Just above that are all the buttons used to navigate
through the program, and finally in the middle taking most of
the screen is the grid where all the information is displayed.
The program uses one form, and one module.
I selected to put certain functions in the module because as the
program grows new forms will have to be added and certain information
will have to be shared by them.
We start by defining a few global variables
and opening the Form, through the Main module
Option Explicit
Public conndb As ADOCE.Connection
Public rsTables As ADOCE.Recordset 'Recordset
reads MSysTables
Public rsRecords As ADOCE.Recordset 'Recordset reads MSysFields
Public rsWorkingTbl As ADOCE.Recordset 'Recordset used to view
data
Public sSelect As String
Public sFields As String
Public sTable As String
Public sTableNo As String
Public iRecCnt As Integer
Public sSQL As String
Public sList As String
Public Sub Main()
'Start Program
Form1.Show
End Sub
CODE 1 (Main Module)
From there the Form opens up and initializes
the screen setup.
Option Explicit
Private Sub Form_Load()
lblDispMsg.Caption = "Press the button above to Start"
'Use the BtnShow function to hide and display as required
BtnShow ("100000000")
End Sub
CODE 2 (Form)
When the program starts you may display
whatever you feel is necessary. Logo, Copyright Information, Helpful
hints and more. At the bottom is the button that urges the user
to select a database. You could launch the CommonDialog box immediately
at this point, but this the only time you will have the chance
to display the information about who you are and who is responsible
for providing this wonderful program.
Once the user presses the Select Database
Button the common dialog box comes up and displays all the available
cdb's.
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