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This course will teach you how to create well-structured Visual Foxpro
applications using the full repertoire of Windows controls. The emphasis
is on re-usability and productivity through object-oriented programming
(OOP). We take an intensely practical approach to OOP, with real-world
techniques favored over abstract theory.
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What you will achieve
At the end of the course, delegates who meet the pre-requisites
will be able to create complete single-user VFP applications which uses
forms, reports and menus.
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Pre-Requisites
To benefit from the course, you should either:
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- Have experience of Foxpro for Windows, Foxpro for DOS, Foxbase, Clipper or another XBase dialect, or
- Have some previous exposure to Visual Foxpro and be familiar with the basics of the VFP language.
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You do not need previous knowledge of object-oriented programming.
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Course Contents
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Using OOP to create re-usable components
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- Introduction to OOP terminology and concepts.
- Practical examples of OOP.
- Designing generic controls for portability and re-usability.
- Sub-classing and inheritance; converting existing controls into classes.
- Managing class libraries; the Class Browser.
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Database container, queries and buffering
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- Understanding persistent relationships, database properties, triggers and stored procedures.
- Using buffers to protect your data.
- Maintaining data integrity; the RI Builder.
- Multi-user issues: optimistic and pessimistic locking; dealing with conflicts.
- High-performance queries via SQL.
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Building the application
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- The structure of a VFP application.
- Creating an event-driven user interface.
- Working with the Form Designer.
- Linking forms to data.
- Getting the most from VFP's built-in controls.
- Hiding VFP from the user.
- Working with modeless forms and multiple instances.
- Invoking Windows common dialogues.
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Debugging tools and techniques
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- The VFP Debugger in depth: tracing code, monitoring variables, working with breakpoints.
- Further debugging techniques: assertions, event tracking, coverage analysis.
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Deploying the application
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- Creating executable programs.
- Using InstallShield Express or the VFP Setup Wizard to simplify distribution; installing the application at the user's site.
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More tools and techniques
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- Using collections to make code more generic.
- SQL in depth.
- Time-saving tricks, tips and shortcuts.
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Microsoft Certification
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Between them, our Stage 2 and Stage 3 courses cover 80 percent of the
requirements for Exam 70-156 (Visual Foxpro Desktop) and 70 percent of
those for Exam 70-155 (Visual Foxpro Distributed). As a matter of
policy, we no not use official Microsoft course material. All courses
are taught by a Microsoft Certified Professional, qualified in Visual
Foxpro.
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