Accessing any database from PowerBuilder 12.6 using OData

OData

One of the new features added to PowerBuilder Native with the 12.6 release was support for accessing SQL databases through OData.  A number of database vendors, particularly SAP and Microsoft provide build in support for exposing their databases via OData.  However, what do you need to do if you want to access other databases such as IBM or Oracle?

There are a number of options.  One is to get something like the Progress DataDirect OData Connector or the CData Could Driver.  Another approach, recommended by IBM and Oracle, is to expose the database through WCF Data Services using Visual Studio.Net.  The problem with that approach is that Microsoft (as it often does) has indicated that WCF Data Services has been deprecated in favor of Web API OData libraries.  So instead, we're going to look at a third option, using platform neutral open-source tools to expose any database through an OData service.

Recap of PowerBuilder Future Webcast 5

The recording of the webcast is available at:  www.appeon.com/recordings  The following is my summary of what was discussed.

Calling WCF web services from PowerBuilder Native through a proxy web service

One of the issues with PowerBuilder Native's support for web services is that it is based on ASP.Net Web Services.  That technology, introduced with .Net 1.0, doesn't provide support for anything other than simple XML over HTTP SOAP services.  Microsoft introduced WCF web services in .Net 3.0 to provide support for a much creater variety of SOAP services.  In particular, WCF web services:

• Can be accessed through protocols other than HTTP, such as TCP or named pipes.
• Added support for web services standards such as WS-Security, WS-Addressing, WS-ReliableMessaging, WS-Coordination and WS-AtomicTransaction.

So what can you do if you need to consume a web service that requires support for alternate protocols, those latter web services standards or both?

PowerBuilder TV Webcast: PowerGen 2016

Automating the PowerBuilder Build Process with PowerGen 2016
Presenter: Phil Wallingford
Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 8:00 AM PST (Los Angeles) / 17H00 PM CET (Paris).

An essential tool to automate the building of PowerBuilder applications, it lets you use command line functions to automate the entire build, create libraries from object source. With PowerGen, you can control your builds with predictability and reliability.

PowerBuilder TV Webcast: Bootstrap for PowerBuilder

Bootstrap for PowerBuilder
Presenter: Roland Smith
Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 8:00 AM PDT (Los Angeles) / 17H00 CEST (Paris)

Download the source files of a PBT from your source control system and import the objects into empty library files that it creates for you. Follow that up with any rebuilds and regenerates that are needed to get all objects to compile successfully. With PowerBuilder Bootstrap:

• Extract all source code files for a target from a source control system
• Create new library files for a target and import all the object source code files
• Generate a new PBC file for a workspace
• Optimize all libraries for a target
• Compile the executable files for a target and copy to a deployment folder

PowerBuilder TV Webcast: PowerVCS

PowerBuilder Version and Source Control with PowerVCS
Presenter: Phil Wallingford
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 8:00 AM PDT (Los Angeles) / 17H00 CEST (Paris)

A web-based solution where repository data resides on a secure Web server and source control functions are accessible with a browser. For those of you who have reached the limits of “PBNative”, who miss Object Cycle, or who have yet to implement a source control system of any description. See how PowerVCS is an ideal solution for locally and geographically distributed development teams.

Future of PowerBuilder webcast - Part 5 - Low Level Roadmap

Part 5 of the Future of #PowerBuilder webcast (Low Level Roadmap) starts at 9:00 AM PST tomorrow (July 28th). If you have not already signed up, you can still do so at http://www.appeon.com/form/form.php?mid=20