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Ideas to improve PowerBuilder

PostPosted: 12 May 2015, 14:56
by Ursego
In the end of this (very interestyng!) article, "Armeen asked people to go to http://www.appeon.com/future to indicate what they want to see in future versions of PowerBuilder".

I have indicated, and now I copy my suggestions here:

1. Add built-in functions:

nvl() like viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5
iin() like viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6
iif() like viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4 (should act as the ternary operator in C)

2. Add "Dictionary" (hash table) data type (to eliminate solutions like this viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2).

3. Integrate DW Spy (viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3) in PB. It is free and can be taken as is (or changed/improved). Many developers around the word use it, but the majority have never heard about it, so it's a good idea to make it a part of PB.

4. Make exception thrown in one line of code (like in C# - without additional line to CREATE an instance) (to eliminate solutions like this viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1).

Maybe, more ideas will be found here: viewforum.php?f=4 (everything is free and can be taken).

Re: Ideas to improve PowerBuilder

PostPosted: 13 May 2015, 13:09
by webgep
Yeah - :)

Wish Appeon/Armeen would adopt some of the features we have been seeking for a long time (ages)
The list should be widely expanded - not only to have Appeon feature/future first of mind.
The PowerSphere have PowerBuilder first of mind - plz remember this, Armeen :)
Just go and grab a huge list from ISUG.

/Georgios

Re: Ideas to improve PowerBuilder

PostPosted: 13 May 2015, 18:40
by Mellem Joe
I would like to see structures implemented as they are in 'C' and be able to reference/set their address with a pointer. I want to be able to point to an array or string or blob, anything that I have the address of and reference the structure elements starting there.

Next, I'd like to be able to do block memory copy.

I'd also like to have built-in bit manipulation like 'C' or even FORTRAN.

I'd also like to see all of the Windows API be implemented natively in PB.

FINALLY, and this is the BIG KAHUNA ... make PowerBuilder Development/Target available on Mac OS!!! This would KILL all other development platforms/environments and be the death knell of Windows.

Re: Ideas to improve PowerBuilder

PostPosted: 16 May 2015, 01:23
by Kunchur Ram
Here are my few suggestions and request:
1. Add a auto-fill feature for dropdown datawindows
2. Provide built-in events for commonly used functions (To get windows username for example), which we currently do using External DLLs
3. For a very large text placed in datawindow object, the auto-size height seems to truncate data after certain length reached, need to correct this.
4. Provide latest controls which are available in new technologies such as .NET etc
5. Provide some sleek buttons, controls, window styles which will make applications look & feel state-of-the-art latest and not like very old legacy systems which most of the PB systems look currently
6. And finally no matter what, please do not discontinue PowerBuilder! it's the best RAD tool ever!!!

Re: Ideas to improve PowerBuilder

PostPosted: 10 Jun 2015, 21:04
by Ursego
Mellem Joe wrote:I would like to see structures implemented as they are in 'C' and be able to reference/set their address with a pointer. I want to be able to point to an array or string or blob, anything that I have the address of and reference the structure elements starting there.
This is contrary to the philosophy of PowerBuilder. We dont't want PB to be so bug-prone and low level. If that will happen, a window, developed in PB in 2 days today, will be developed in 2 months. No C-philosophy, never!!! Don't ride horse in the era of Ferrari.