Displaying the underlying SQL statement

As you specify the data for the DataWindow object in the SQL Select painter, PowerBuilder generates a SQL SELECT statement. It is this SQL statement that will be sent to the DBMS when you retrieve data into the DataWindow object. You can look at the SQL as it is being generated while you continue defining the data for the DataWindow object.

StepsTo display the SQL statement:

  1. Click the Syntax tab to make the Syntax view available, or select View>Syntax if the Syntax view is not currently displayed.

    You may need to use the scroll bar to see all parts of the SQL SELECT statement. This statement is updated each time you make a change.

Editing the SELECT statement syntactically

Instead of modifying the data source graphically, you can directly edit the SELECT statement in the SQL Select painter.

NoteConverting from syntax to graphics If the SQL statement contains unions or the BETWEEN operator, it may not be possible to convert the syntax back to graphics mode. In general, once you convert the SQL statement to syntax, you should maintain it in syntax mode.

StepsTo edit the SELECT statement:

  1. Select Design>Convert to Syntax from the menu bar.

    PowerBuilder displays the SELECT statement in a text window.

  2. Edit the SELECT statement.

  3. Do one of the following:

    • Select Design>Convert to Graphics from the menu bar to return to the SQL Select painter.

    • Click the Return button to return to the wizard if you are building a new DataWindow object, or to the DataWindow painter if you are modifying an existing DataWindow object.