Using the GUI PainterProgramming ToolsUsing the Image Editor
 

Using the Data Set Builder (Table Column Editor)

Index


Introduction

The Data Set Builder of ST/X allows you to edit or modify a table description which is used by the table view. The table view has a list of rows whereby each row contains a number of cells. A cell is specified by its column description.
A column is an object which is obligated to provide all the functionality defined through to the table description. For each column the user is able to define its behavior and visibility. The editor also provides a Code Generator to create a Row class which implements the columns description and their default code.

The Data Set Builder generates a resource method of the table specification in the category tableColumns specs of the class protocol, which returns a symbolic representation (literal array) of the table components and their behavior. The table methods are invoked by the UIBuilder when the applications window is created for those widgets which define a table aspect.


Starting the Data Set Builder

Typically, a data set builder is opened from the UIPainter, by clicking on the "Table Column Editor" button in a DataSetViews "Basics" attribute page. However, it can also be opened  After startup, a Data Set Builder appears as shown in next figure:

A View of a Data Set Builder


Functions of the Data Set Builder

The Data Set Builder offers all functions for loading, saving, and modifying table specifications. The basic functions can be accessed both by the menu and the tool bar. The basic functions are as follows:
 
Menu Button Description
File/Load Discard all changes and continue with a new
empty table description. 
File/Load Opens a dialog to load a table spec from a class. 
File/Save Saves the current table spec. 
Edit/Cut Cuts the selected column(s) and places it to the clipboard.
Edit/Copy Copies the selected column(s) to the clipboard.
Edit/Paste Pastes the contents of the clipboard.
Edit/Delete Deletes the selected column(s) without placing
it into the clipboard.
Edit/Move Up Moves the selected column one step up. 
Edit/Move Down Moves the selected column one step down. 
Add/New Column Adds a new column after the current selected column. 
 
 
Further, there are additional functions from the menu:
 
File Menu Description
Save As Opens a dialog to select a class and selector in order to save
the current table spec. 
Pick Columns... Changes the cursor to cross hair for moving it over another table view to
load its table spec. 
Exit Exits the Data Set Builder.
 
 
Generate Menu Description
Define Row Class... Opens a dialog to define the Row class which will implement
all methods derived from the table spec.
Browse Row Class Opens a System Browser on the Row class.
Browse Class Opens a System Browser on the application class.
Generate Code Generates and installs code in the Row class.
 
 
History Menu Description
... Switch to a table spec derived from the history of previous loaded specs. 
 
 
The editing of the table and its column's is described in the next chapter.


Editing a Column

After creating or loading a table specification the columns are displayed on the left and top side of the Data Set Builder. To see or modify the specification of a specific column, click on that column.

There are 6 categories for which you can change the behavior of a column.


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