You can use a DataWindow with a Web service data source to update a database. Support for updating data requires one or more WSDL files that describe methods and parameters that can be called by the DataWindow engine for insert, delete, or update operations.
The WSDL files are not required on runtime computers. They are used to generate assembly files that are deployed with the application. If you have an existing assembly file that allows you to update data in your DataWindow objects, you can select that assembly instead of generating a new one from the Web Services Update dialog box. You can generate or select separate assemblies for insert, delete, and update operations.
The insert, delete, and update operations imply different things depending on the original data source. When you insert a DataWindow row for an RDBMS, a new row is added to the database; when the data source is an array of structures, a new structure instance is added to the array; and when the data source is an array of simple types, a new instance of the simple type is added to the array. The delete operation removes a database row or an instance in an array, and the update operation modifies a database row or an instance in an array.
For each operation, you must map DataWindow column values or expressions to Web service input parameters. At runtime when performing one of these operations, the DataWindow binds column or expression values to parameters as instructed and calls the Web service method. The DataWindow engine does not know what actually happens in the Web service component (that is, how the component implements the update), only whether it returns a success or failure message.
Figure 21-1 displays the Web Service Update dialog box. You use this dialog box to bind to Web service parameters to DataWindow columns or expressions. Unlike the retrieve call, DataWindow update operations can handle bidirectional parameters. However, you can select an expression or computed column only for an update method input parameter.
Figure 21-1: Web Service Update dialog box
To use a Web service to update the database
In the DataWindow painter, select Rows>Web Service Update to display the Web Service Update dialog box.
Select the tab for the Web service update method (Update, Insert, or Delete) with which you want to associate a Web service.
Click the browse button next to the WSDL Filename text box to browse to a WSDL file describing the Web service you want to use to update the DataWindow, and click OK.
You use a WSDL file to generate an assembly that you can deploy with your Web service DataWindow application. You can override the default assembly name that will be generated if you enter an existing assembly in the following step of this procedure.
If you already have an assembly that you want to use to update the DataWindow, you can skip the current step and select the assembly that you want in step 4.
You can use the Reset button to clear all entries in the Web Service Update dialog box.
(Optional) Type an assembly name in the Assembly Name text box to override a default assembly name that you want to generate from a WSDL file, or browse to an existing assembly file that describes the Web service you want to use to update the DataWindow, and click OK.
Although you can browse to any mapped directory to find an assembly file for update operations, you must make sure to copy the assembly under the current target directory. All assemblies for retrieving and updating a Web service DataWindow must be deployed to the same directory as the application executable file, or retrieve and update operations will not be able to work at runtime.
Click Generate if you want to generate and load an assembly file, or click Load if you entered an existing assembly file name in step 4.
After you click Generate, an assembly file is created with a default name from the WSDL file or from a name that you entered in the previous step.
After you generate the assembly from a WSDL file or load an existing assembly, the Web services in that file are added to the Web Service Name drop-down list and the methods for the Web services are added to the Method Name drop-down list.
Select a Web service name and method name from the list of Web services and methods.
The parameters used in the Web service method are displayed in the Argument Name list in the order in which they are defined. Column Name lists the columns used in your DataWindow object.
Associate a column in the DataWindow object or an expression with a method parameter.
If a Web service method uses parameters that are not matched to column names, you can substitute the value from a DataWindow object computed field or expression.
If the parameter is to receive a column value, indicate whether the parameter will receive the updated column value entered through the DataWindow object or retain the original column value from the database.
Typically, you select Use Original when the Web service parameter is used in the WHERE clause of an UPDATE or DELETE SQL statement for a Web service method. If you do not select Use Original, the parameter uses the new value entered for that column. Typically, you would use the new value when the Web service parameter is needed for an INSERT SQL statement for the method, or if it is set in an UPDATE SQL statement.
If you need to regenerate an assembly for a DataWindow that uses a Web service data source for retrieval, update, insert, or delete operations, you must add the following line to the [DataWindow] section of the PBDW.INI file:
GenerateWSAssembliesOnCompile=YES
After you set this property in the PBDW.INI file, PowerBuilder regenerates the assembly on each compilation of the target containing the DataWindow.
Because a DataWindow with a Web service data source does not pass back failure messages in a return code during retrieve, insert, or update operations, you must use the WSError event to obtain such error information.
For more information on the WSError event, see WSError in the DataWindow Reference or in the online Help.
Because a DataWindow with a Web service data source does not pass back failure messages in a return code during retrieve, insert, or update operations, you must use the WebServiceException object to obtain such error information. The parameters in the following table are exposed in the WebServiceException object when an error occurs:
Argument |
Description |
|---|---|
operation |
String for the type of operation (Retrieve, Update, Insert, Delete, Connect, or Disconnect) |
rowNumber |
Int32 for the row number or 0 if not applicable, such as when an error occurs during connection to the Web service |
buffername |
String for the name of the buffer being accessed while the error occurred (Primary, Filter, or Delete) |
assembly |
String for the name of the assembly being used |
method |
String for the name of the Web service method invoked |
returnCode |
Int32 for the return code from the Web service |
