How about an option to automatically build, based on the query, the data entry form, the form variables, and the actions necessary for basic record adds/edit/deletes? It would help on two fronts: The existing manual process is pretty tedious for us who know how, and difficult for beginners to grasp.
Thanks.

There is an awful lot of repetitive work necessary to deploy the Listx module. It would be nice to have it autogenerate grids and/or forms with different style options based on the query.

I'm working on MyGeneration a template that will do pretty much all of the above for a single table. I've probably got better than half of it already, but I'm still ironning out a few bugs in the process.

One thing I am running into is the fact that ListX is very picky about the formatting of the XML definition. I'm slowly learing what text must be neutered and all to make it work, but some kind of feedback from the parser on which elements are failing to parse correctly would greatly speed up this process for me.

Also, copy and pasting the whole module def is by far the quickest way to edit, but it would be nice (for development ) if there was a way to map the form def to a physical file. That way you could run your code gen, tweak, and repeat over and over again from your editor until you have your finished module def and then clear the mapping and copy and paste for syncing to the database.

-eric

Eric,
Your MyGeneration approach is probably the 'correct' method in the long run... and I look forward to your progress in a solution that allows you to drop in a 'prepped' XML based on your table/query (if I understand you correctly). My approach, I'll refer to as the 'quick and somewhat dirty', is to use Excel to generate my default update/add SQL and form. I just enter my table and field names (and field type if number or checkbox/bit), it generates nicely formatted, easy to read/change, code that I can simply copy and paste back to the appropriate ListX spot. It doesn't help with the Variables, but that part doesn't take too long. Maybe I'll play with iOpus to hack a macro out for that part out, too. Using Excel let you easily change any part to suit your particular form look or query procedures.

Anyway, I have it working for the update/add action sql, and will work on a basic input form next. To me, those are the biggest pains anyway, especially getting every bracket, comma, single/double quote correct in those darn sql statements. I'll post a download link in this thread after I have a basic form done (this week).

Fletch

Fletch,

I think the only "correct" solution is the one that makes you personally more productive. I actually think the Excel idea has to be more flexible in some ways and I'm not sure why I didn't think of something like that before diving into MyGeneration. Sometimes quick and dirty is all that is needed, but I will still complete the MyGen templates and post here as well.

BTW - Which version of iOpus are you using and how do like for testing? I've been looking for something like this for testing, but I need it to be easy and relatively inexpensive.

-e

My version is 4.31 Scripting. I needed it for an earlier project where a client needed to enter 1000's of sales records (from an existing database) into a suppliers web page to register for awards points. I don't think the supplier expected an automated entry system. Anyway, I still (under)use it for some more teadius website logins. The regular versions are pretty reasonable, if I remember right.

OK, here it is... the first version of my ListX Generator. What is it? It is just a rough Excel spreadsheet that pushes text around to create various parts of the ListX system after you put in some basic table/field information and settings.

I use it to save me loads of time. I hope it helps you, too. But, use at your one risk... there are no guarantees as to ... anything. Good Luck.

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Looks cool. I'll definitely play around with it.