This course provides programmers with the basic tools they need for developing applications using the Informix 4GL programming language. You will learn about the development and debugging tools available, and how to construct and compile applications in the 4GL Programmer's Environment. You will learn how to create and use single and multi-row forms, generate reports, and manage transactions and cursors. In lab exercises, you will create applications and add in additional functionality as new concepts are presented.

If you are enrolling in a Self Paced Virtual Classroom or Web Based Training course, before you enroll, please review the Self-Paced Virtual Classes and Web-Based Training Classes on our Terms and Conditions page, as well as the system requirements, to ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements for this course.

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• Develop custom applications using Informix 4GL
• Create custom menus
• Create custom data entry forms
• Effectively use SQL statements in your application
• Incorporate error handling routines into your application
• Integrate online help facilities into your application
• Use transactions in your application
• Produce custom reports
• Use screen arrays
• Insert multiple rows using arrays
• Execute dynamic SQL statements
• Lock database rows during updates
• Deploy functions to Web services

This intermediate course is designed for application developers.

You should have:

• Previous programming experience
• Experience in using Structure Query Language (SQL)

Experience on a UNIX or Linux platform is recommended.

An Overview of Informix 4GL

• Describe Informix 4GL products
• List and describe the components of a 4GL program
• Use the I-4GL Programmer's Environment to perform application development tasks
• Use command-line commands to compile programs

The I-4GL Programming Language

• Write programs using I-4GL syntax
• Display messages and prompt for information in an application
• Create menus in an application

Utilities

• Create a Help file
• Create and use forms
• Display a form
• Open a new window to display a form

Informix Data Types

• List and describe the various Informix data types available
• List Informix data types that are not supported by Informix 4GL

Programming concepts

• Define the appropriate variables for your program
• Understand the scope of program variables
• Know which data types can be used to define a variable in your program

Entering Application Data

• Use the INPUT statement to enter user data into program variables
• Modify input data using INPUT statement clauses
• Use the INSERT statement to add data to a database

Event Handling

• Use an SQLCA record to identify errors and warnings
• Use the WHENEVER ERROR statement to manage error handling
• Use the DEFER INTERRUPT statement to identify and respond to errors during data entry

Query Handling

• Use basic SELECT statements in a 4GL application
• Verify that data entered is valid

Using Cursors

• Use cursors in a 4GL application
• Explain the purpose of transactions and implement them in an application
• Use scroll cursors

Query-by-Example

• Implement query by example in a 4GL application

Deleting and updating rows

• Lock rows to be modified using a FOR UPDATE cursor
• Delete rows from a table in a 4GL application
• Update rows in a 4GL application

Optimizing applications

• Use the PREPARE command to prepare frequently used statements and EXECUTE when it is time to run them
• Use a SCROLL cursor on a primary key to create an index that can be used by another cursor

Arrays

• Create a use a form that uses an array
• Create an input array to use for data entry
• Describe the various input array options
• Display array data in a regular or pop-up window

Reports

• Create a report driver
• Define and generate the report
• Format the report output

Informix 4GL applications as Web services

• Define Web Service and Service-Oriented Architecture
• Describe the process of deploying a 4GL application to a Web service
• Configure the 4GL development environment for Web services
• Use the 4GL tools to manage components, compile, and deploy functions as Web services

Welcome

Unit 1: An overview of Informix 4GL

• Topic 1: Informix 4GL and the Informix toolset
• Topic 2: Basic components of I-4GL
• Exercise 1
• Topic 3: The I-4GL user interface
• Topic 4: Building a 4GL application
• Topic 5: Compiling the application
• Exercise 2

Unit 2: The Informix 4GL programming language

• Topic 1: Procedural logic
• Topic 2: Screen interaction statements
• Topic 3: The MENU statement
• Exercise 3

Unit 3: Utilities

• Topic 1: Creating a help file: The mkmessage utility
• Exercise 4
• Topic 2: Creating and using forms
• Exercise 5
• Topic 3: Displaying forms
• Topic 4: Opening windows to display forms
• Exercise 6

Unit 4: Informix data types

• Topic 1: Character data types
• Topic 2: Numeric data types
• Topic 3: Date and Time data types
• Topic 4: Other types

Unit 5: Programming concepts

• Exercise 7

Unit 6: Entering application data

• Topic 1: The INPUT statement
• Exercise 8
• Topic 2: Using clauses with the INPUT statement
• Exercise 9
• Topic 3: The INSERT statement
• Exercise 10

Unit 7: Event handling

• Topic 1: The SQLCA record
• Topic 2: Trapping errors with the WHENEVER statement
• Exercise 11
• Topic 3: The DEFER INTERRUPT statement
• Exercise 12

Unit 8: Query handling

• Topic 1: SELECT statement review
• Topic 2: Verifying data in I-4GL
• Exercise 13

Unit 9: Using cursors

• Topic 1: An overview of cursors
• Topic 2: Transactions
• Exercise 14
• Topic 3: Using scroll cursors
• Exercise 15

Unit 10: Query-by-Example

• Topic 1: The CONSTRUCT statement
• Topic 2: Preparing the query
• Exercise 16

Unit 11: Deleting and updating rows

• Topic 1: Row locking: FOR UPDATE cursors
• Topic 2: Deleting rows
• Exercise 17
• Topic 3: Updating rows
• Exercise 18

Unit 12: Optimizing applications

• Topic 1: Using PREPARE to optimize applications
• Exercise 19
• Topic 2: Scroll cursors and stale data
• Exercise 20

Unit 13: Arrays

• Topic 1: Forms that use arrays
• Exercise 21
• Topic 2: The INPUT ARRAY statement
• Exercise 22
• Topic 3: INPUT ARRAY clauses
• Topic 4: Displaying arrays
• Topic 5: Pop-up windows
• Exercise 23

Unit 14: Reports

• Topic 1: Creating a report driver
• Exercise 24
• Topic 2: The REPORT function
• Exercise 25
• Topic 3: Built-in formatting functions
• Topic 4: Two reports from one SELECT
• Topic 5: Using variables to name output files

Unit 15: Informix 4GL applications as Web services

• Topic 1: Introduction to Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Web services
• Topic 2: Configuring a system for Web services
• Topic 3: Using I-4GL Web service utilities
• Exercise 26