Basic Steps
VPM Enterprise is organized so that creating an application can be a step-by-step process. The basic steps are shown below. Complete each step and you’ll have a Visual FoxPro application in record time.
1. Design Your Application
Before you run VPM Enterprise, design your application. Have your menu and database structure mapped out as best you can.
Let’s Be Real: We fully realize that many of you will start creating your application in VPM Enterprise before you have designed your application fully — if at all. That’s not perfect, but it’s OK. If you tend to design your application at the keyboard, you are better off using VPM Enterprise than Visual FoxPro from scratch because VPM Enterprise automatically provides a framework design that will get you started.
2. New Project — Starter Application
After you have designed your application, run VPM Enterprise. Select the New Project option on the VPM Enterprise File menu to let VPME create a starter application for you. It takes just seconds to create the starter app.
You complete your application by building on the starter application.
3. Menu Builder
Select the Menu Builder option on the VPME Tools menu and enter your application’s menu prompts. Don’t insert menu commands. VPME will insert menu commands for you when you use the Object Builder to create the Application Objects that run from the menu prompts .
You manage your application’s menus through the VPM Enterprise Menu Builder. You can create as many menus as your application needs. VPM Enterprise provides a Main Menu for your application plus shortcut menus for forms and controls.
4. Data Builder
Select the Data Builder option on the VPM Enterprise Tools menu to create your application’s database. You can import existing databases and tables or create them from scratch.
The VPME Data Builder organizes your access to your application’s data.
The VPM Enterprise Data Builder provides many more table, view, CursorAdapter and field properties than you will find in the Visual FoxPro Database Container. What’s more, VPM Enterprise lets you use the Data Builder properties for free tables as well as tables in a DBC
Important: We cannot stress enough how important it is to create and set up your application’s databases, tables, views, CursorAdapters and fields in the VPM Enterprise Data Builder before you begin developing Application Objects. If you do, you will find that creating Application Objects will be much easier and faster.
5. Object Builder
Use the Object Builder window and the Object Editors to create your Application Objects. After you have entered your application’s menu prompts and created its database in the Data Builder, you’re ready to create the forms, programs, reports, queries and labels.
6. Message Builder
Select the Message Builder option on the VPME Tools menu (a) to view and edit the standard VPME-provided application messages or (b) to create your own messages for display in a VPME application.
7. Report Builder
Select the Report Builder option on the VPME Tools menu to create reports. The end-product of database applications is reports. With VPM Enterprise you can build reports that run from menu options or from VPME’s unique Report Manager.
VPM Enterprise puts the Report Builder into every application you create.
8. Language & String Builders
VPM Enterprise has all the tools you need to create multilingual applications. Use the Language, Message and String Builder options on the VPM Enterprise Tools menu to (1) set up and manage the languages in which you want your application to run and (2) to enter translations for the text you add to your application.
9. Security Builder
Select the Security Builder option on the VPM Enterprise Tools menu to set up your application’s Menu and Controls security before you package your application. for distribution.
10. Product Builder
Select the Product Builder option on the VPM Enterprise Tools menu to package your application for distribution to users. The Product Builder steps you through the creation of an .EXE file and the creation of distribution files with InstallShield Express VFP Limited Edition.
That’s It!
That’s it! Nothing could be simpler. Behind the scenes while you are building your application, VPM Enterprise will be automatically adding features and Visual FoxPro code that will make your application truly professional.
