About this book

Audience

This book is for anyone using PowerBuilder® to build applications.

How to use this book

This book provides information that enables you to start using PowerBuilder:

Related documents

This table lists the information in the PowerBuilder documentation set, grouped by topic:

Topic

Book

Description

Installation

Installation Guide

Tells you how to install PowerBuilder

Introduction and use of PowerBuilder features

Getting Started

Introduces you to PowerBuilder and provides a tutorial you can step through to learn the basics

Programmer’s information

Users Guide

Tells how to use the painters to build objects in PowerBuilder

Application Techniques

Presents collections of techniques for implementing many common application features, along with deployment details and tips for cross-platform and international development and deployment

Topic

Book

Description

DataWindow® Programmer’s Guide

Explains how to use DataWindows in all the supported environments (PowerBuilder, Web pages, Java) and describes programming techniques for accessing, displaying, manipulating, and updating data

.NET targets information

Deploying Applications and Components to .NET

Tells you how to build, deploy, debug and run .NET Web Forms and Windows Forms targets, and how to create .NET assembly components and Web services from PowerBuilder nonvisual objects

Reference information

PowerScript® Reference

Describes syntax and usage information for the PowerScript language, including variables, expressions, statements, functions, and events

DataWindow Reference

Provides reference information for the DataWindow object, including properties and functions for expressions; syntax for accessing properties and data; and reference information for the methods, events, and properties of DataWindow controls and DataStores in all supported environments

Objects and Controls

Lists properties, events, and related functions for PowerBuilder system objects and controls

PowerBuilder Native Interface (PBNI) Programmer’s Guide and Reference

Contains how-to and reference information for using PBNI to create PowerBuilder extensions and interact with C++ applications

PowerBuilder Extension Reference

Contains reference information for PowerBuilder extension modules created with PBNI (such as PBDOM, EJBClient, and Web services)

Communicating with a database

Connecting to Your Database

Tells how to connect to a database from PowerBuilder; describes how to set up, define, and manage database connections accessed through the ODBC interface or one of the native database interfaces

Connection Reference

Includes procedures for preparing, defining, establishing, maintaining, and troubleshooting your database connections

Other sources of information

Use the Sybase® Getting Started CD and the Sybase Product Documentation Web site to learn more about your product:

Sybase certifications on the Web

Technical documentation at the Sybase Web site is updated frequently.

StepsFinding the latest information on product certifications

  1. Point your Web browser to Technical Documents.

  2. Click Partner Certification Report.

  3. In the Partner Certification Report filter select a product, platform, and timeframe and then click Go.

  4. Click a Partner Certification Report title to display the report.

StepsFinding the latest information on component certifications

  1. Point your Web browser to Availability and Certification Reports.

  2. Either select the product family and product under Search by Base Product; or select the platform and product under Search by Platform.

  3. Select Search to display the availability and certification report for the selection.

StepsCreating a personalized view of the Sybase Web site (including support pages)

Set up a MySybase profile. MySybase is a free service that allows you to create a personalized view of Sybase Web pages.

  1. Point your Web browser to Technical Documents.

  2. Click MySybase and create a MySybase profile.

Sybase EBFs and software maintenance

You can find information about EBFs and software maintenance on the Sybase Web site.

StepsFinding the latest information on EBFs and software maintenance

  1. Point your Web browser to the Sybase Support Page.

  2. Select EBFs/Maintenance. If prompted, enter your MySybase user name and password.

  3. Select a product.

  4. Specify a time frame and click Go. A list of EBF/Maintenance releases is displayed.

    Padlock icons indicate that you do not have download authorization for certain EBF/Maintenance releases because you are not registered as a Technical Support Contact. If you have not registered, but have valid information provided by your Sybase representative or through your support contract, click Edit Roles to add the “Technical Support Contact” role to your MySybase profile.

  5. Click the Info icon to display the EBF/Maintenance report, or click the product description to download the software.

If you need help

Each Sybase installation that has purchased a support contract has one or more designated people who are authorized to contact Sybase Technical Support. If you cannot resolve a problem using the documentation or online help, please have the designated person contact Sybase Technical Support or the Sybase subsidiary in your area.