A hands-on course for developers who have already had some exposure to VFP or experience of other xBase languages.
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.
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.
Pre-Requisites
To benefit from the course, you should either:
- 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.
You do not need previous knowledge of object-oriented
programming.
Course Contents
Using OOP to create re-usable components
- 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.
Database container, queries and buffering
- 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.
Building the application
- 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.
- Working with modeless forms and multiple
instances.
- Invoking Windows common dialogues.
Debugging tools and techniques
- The VFP Debugger in depth: tracing code, monitoring
variables, working with breakpoints.
- Further debugging techniques: assertions, event tracking,
coverage analysis.
Deploying the application
- Creating executable programs.
- Using InstallShield Express or the VFP Setup Wizard to
simplify distribution; installing the application at the user's
site.
More tools and techniques
- Using collections to make code more generic.
- SQL in depth.
- Time-saving tricks, tips and shortcuts.
Microsoft Certification
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.
