| Tools for Converting SBL to SIMPOL | ||
|---|---|---|
 | Chapter 20. Moving from SBL to SIMPOL |  |
Tools for Converting SBL to SIMPOL
There are a number of conversion tools supplied with SIMPOL Professional to convert various aspects of Superbase packages. Some are written in SBL and some are written in SIMPOL. Here is a list of them:
sbf2sbm.smp– Converts SuperbaseSBFfiles to SIMPOLsbmformat (files should be unencrypted, reorganized, and preferably without passwords)sbv2xml.sbp– SBL program to convert Superbase forms to SIMPOL XML formssbvr2xml.sbp– SBL program to convert Superbase graphical reports into SIMPOL XML format graphical reports (does not convert perfectly, some adjustment of the results will be needed, primarily paper size and calculations)ngmengen.sbp– SBL program that converts a Superbase menu program into a SIMPOL source code filedlg2sma.sbp– SBL program that converts Superbase dialogs programs (as saved from the designer) into SIMPOL source codesbd_formula_reader.smp– Reads SuperbaseSBDfiles and creates a source code file that contains a function for constants, calculations, and validations for each Superbase file read where such formulae are in use. The resulting code will need to be hand-edited to be usable, since a complete formula conversion tool is not included.
The best initial approach is to convert the database tables and the forms, if
there is a menu program available, convert that, grab a copy of the Address Book example and
make a new project from it. Use the first form as an initial step and get it coming up using
the Address Book code, modified as required. Once that is happening, use the
appwindow.openformdirect() method to open the next
form into the same window as a response to a menu event. From there convert any formulae using
the sbd_formula_reader.smp converter and then hand adjust the resulting
source code. Remember, there is an equivalent for LOOKUP() in SBL
called lookup() and it can be found in the uisyshelp.sml library.
From this point onward, it just depends on how the application is constructed. Fill in all the functions and the navigational structure. Use the tool bar from the Address Book sample, or leave it out, or design your own.
To assign calculated values and do validations of field content before a record is saved,
assign an event handling function to the dataform1.onsave
event. The return value should be .true if the record should be saved, and
.false if there is a problem and the record should not be saved. For
further information about working with the Application Framework, see
Chapter 26, Using the SIMPOL Application Framework.