Some interesting COM controls that can be used in PowerBuilder

They've been available for a while, it's just that I only recently stumbled across them.  Check out Exontrol   I particularly noticed their Gantt controls.  In one of our PowerBuilder based applications we were using a different third-party Gantt ActiveX.  The original vendor left the market quite some time ago.  We had purchased the C++ source code while they were still in business and had some some minor mods to it.  However, we we decided to migrated the application to 64 bit we opted to do away with the Gantt functionality rather than trying to take on the task of converting the ActiveX to 64 bit.  All of the controls shown on the Excontrol page come in both 32 and 64 versions, so that is not an issue with their controls.

The other thing I noticed is that they have a ExHelper tool that generates the syntax needed to interact the controls in a number of different languages, including PowerBuilder!  One of the major pain points working with ActiveX controls in PowerBuilder is late binding and lack of autoscript, which leaves you just trying things recursively until something works.

Here's a video where they demo using one of their controls in PowerBuilder, including using the ExHelper tool to paste in PowerScript code.

A way to extract the PowerBuilder runtime files from the MSI created by the PowerBuilder runtime packager

 I'm old school, so I still like to deploy the PowerBuilder runtimes with the PowerBuilder application.  The PowerBuilder runtime packagers doesn't do loose files, it either creates a single MSI or MSM file.  So, to date, what I end up doing is checking the PowerBuilder Runtime Files section of the PowerBuilder documentation and cherry picking off the files I need.

Fortunately though, there's a new utility available in the Windows Store call MSI Viewer that does a bit more than just view the contents of an MSI file.  In particular, it allows you to extract the original files from the MSI file.  Now I can use the runtime packages to generate an MSI with the files I need and then use MSI Viewer to extract the files back out again to package with my app.

A nice little utility for determine the version(s) of .Net Framework are installed

 It's called DotNetVersions.  Run it at the command line and it will report out the .Net Framework versions found on the system.  No more having to dig through the registry.

https://github.com/jmalarcon/DotNetVersions

One of the new features in Windows 10 that seems to have escaped me until now

 Seems that with Windows 10, Microsoft finally gave us a buffer for cut/paste operations.  Thing it, it's not enabled by default.  To enabled it, press the Windows key and V on your keyboard.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/clipboard-in-windows-c436501e-985d-1c8d-97ea-fe46ddf338c6

An updated version of Dependency Walker

 Dependency Walker was one of those tools that was invaluable for determining which runtime DLLs you application needed or was missing.  Unfortunately, it hasn't really be updated to keep up with modern versions of Windows.  Fortunately, there is an open source project out there called Dependancies that addresses that deficiency:

https://github.com/lucasg/Dependencies

Elevate 2021 - Day 2

Day 2

I started off the second day with the second of my own presentations: "PowerServer 2021: Integrating Third Party Authentication".  Then I watched most of "RunTime FunTime - Adding Column(s) to Your DataWindow SQL and Display at Runtime" by Mike Searer of SBT.  My third session to present, "PowerServer 2021: Performance Tuning", started before Mike was done.  

Elevate 2021 - Day 1

Intro

As with Elevate 2020, it was online (and free) in 2021.  Given the way that COVID mutates, they're currently planning on doing Elevate 2022 virtual as well.

Appeon PowerBuilder Survey

Appeon is collecting feedback about PowerBuilder so they can improve the product in ways that matter most to their customers.  The survey ends on November 30th.  You can access the survey here:

Elevate 2021 Registration is Now Open

 The conference will be held online on December 6th and 7th.  Conference session start times are expressed in Eastern Standard Time, and the conference begins at 9AM on the 6th.  As with last year the presentations will be recorded and made available later.  However, attending the conference live allows you to participate in chat with the presenter and other attendees during the sessions and any Q&A sessions that may be available after each session.

ISUG Board of Director's 2022-2023 Nomination Period Open

Half of the board is re-elected each year.  The positions open this year are: President, Vice President of Business Relations, Vice President of Technologies, Benefits Director, Content Director, Regional Director - Asia Pacific and Regional Director - Latin/South America.  Candidates for the positions must be paid members.  In addition, nominees for the position of President must have formerly served as a Vice President.

Nominations are open from October 4th to October 15th.  An election will be held if there are no contested positions from November 15 to November 19th.

https://www.isug.com/news/31-board-of-directors-2022-2023-term-nomination-period