Getting Started

"I would like to learn PFC. Where Do I start?"

If you are just getting started with the PFC, I strongly recommend using this PFC CD (plus 200+ page resource manual) to learn PFC.

To get started with the PFC, first get familiar with "What is the PFC?" at:

http://www.sybase.com/inc/sybmag/quarter3_96/workplace/tools.html

http://www.sybase.com/inc/powerline/powerline_july/techfoc.html

and http://www.woodger.ca/pfc_intr.htm

Then, peruse through the Potpourri of "PFC Services" that are available to the PFC programmer at:

http://techinfo.sybase.com/css/techinfo.nsf/DocId/ID=44516

There are some helpful PFC slides (for Newbies to Experts alike) from Powersoft Conference '98/ '97 at:

'98 - PM602 - Beginning with the PFC: http://www.sybase.com/events/psuc98/presentations/PM602.exe

'97 - PM 76 - PowerBuilder Foundation Class Library - by PFC Dev Team Mbr Brian Grimm, & Jackie Green, PS Tech Support: http://www.sybase.com/Events/psuc97/cdrom/pm076.zip

'97 - PM 41 - Techniques and Design Strategies to Use on the PFC Library - by Howard Block, administrator of pfcsig: http://www.sybase.com/Events/psuc97/cdrom/pm041.zip

'97 - PM 40 - New Features in the PFC Library (PFC 6.0) - by PFC Development Teamsters - Mark Overbey and Claudio Quant: http://www.sybase.com/Events/psuc97/cdrom/pm040.zip

'97 - PM 77 - Customizing the PFC Library - by Earl Clark, Powersoft: http://www.sybase.com/Events/psuc97/cdrom/pm077.zip

'98 - PM603 - Rearchitecting a "Legacy" PowerBuilder Application to Use the PFC: http://www.sybase.com/events/psuc98/presentations/PM603.exe

'98 - PM320 - Using the PFC 6.0 LUW Service: http://www.sybase.com/events/psuc98/presentations/PM320.exe

'98 - PM321 - Using the PFC 6.0 TreeView Control: http://www.sybase.com/events/psuc98/presentations/PM321.exe

'98 - PM322 - Increasing Distributed PowerBuilder Speed with ORB-Type PFC Services: http://www.sybase.com/events/psuc98/presentations/PM322.exe

'98 - PM605 - Case Study: Extending the PFC Security Module: http://www.sybase.com/events/psuc98/presentations/PM605.exe

'98 - PM606 - Stored Procedures, Databases, and the PFC: http://www.sybase.com/events/psuc98/presentations/PM606.exe

'99 - AD262 - Programming with the PowerBuilder Foundation Class (PFC)
http://www.sybase.com/events/techwave99/presentations/Ad262.zip (logon ID and password protected)

Next, it is helpful to read through the PFC User's Guide Book that comes with PowerBuilder. (They come on the CD. Or, you can order hardcopies, an entire set for only $95. Or, you may access them via the web.) There you will find a PFC Overview, a Tutorial (with step-by-step instructions to guide you through the basics of creating a new PFC app), and some very detailed descriptions of the services and concepts.

PFC User's Guide
http://sybooks.sybase.com/onlinebooks/group-pb/pbg0700e/pfcug/@Generic__BookView;cs=default;ts=default

PFC Object Reference
http://sybooks.sybase.com/onlinebooks/group-pb/pbg0700e/pfcoref/@Generic__BookView;cs=default;ts=default

The PFC also comes with a few Example PFC Applications that you can play with and look through. In PowerBuilder 6.0, there are lots of examples, something for every service. Also, be sure to look at the "Quick Start" PFC application.

The PFC Online Help is very good... Do not underestimate the power of the PFC Online Help... So whenever you are in the script and you are wondering about a particular PFC function/event, all you have to do is position your cursor on the function name/event and press shift-F1 and voila! the PFC Help will describe it. Get familiar with using the PFC Help... You will use it a lot!

A checklist of the "Steps to create a new PFC application" is at:

http://techinfo.sybase.com/css/techinfo.nsf/DocId/ID=44511

Interested in a product to jumpstart your PFC project? HOW and Object Composer are products worth considering.

HOW will be packaged with PowerBuilder 6.0. HOW helps you to design your application and then generate PFC code from your design. HOW is a two way street. You can create code from your design, *and* you can produce the design from your code (reverse engineering). (See http://www.riverton.com for details.)

Object Composer will create your PFC application, based on your input into a "wizard" interface. This is a one way street, generate the PFC code and that's it. The objects that are generated also include some commented out code to help you add your code. (See http://www.bsisoft.com for details.)

After you have learned about all that the PFC has to offer, but before you dive right into coding your application, decide whether or not your project needs or would benefit from buying a 3rd party class library product to extend the PFC. There are several out there, for example...

Cornerstone ( http://www.findyn.com/fdiweb/pages/cornerst.htm )
PFCTool ( http://www.powercerv.com/Tools/index.htm )
PowerClass ( http://www.serverlogic.com/powerclass.cfm )
FrameBuilder Class ( http://www.tikalsoft.com/framebui.htm )

There is also a free PFC class library called PFCPlus, compliments of Greenbrier & Russel http://www.gr.com . Although this class library was discontinued since 6.0, you are still welcome to download the 5.0 version for free from http://www.pfccheatsheet.com/Pfeplus.zip . Many programmers have simply picked and chosen services from PFCPlus, rather than using it as a whole.

Keep in mind that many successful projects have been built using the PFC alone, so a 3rd party tool is not absolutely necessary.

In addition, there are also some PFC class libraries designed for distributed and web (EA Server) applications. For example...

Enterprise Application Framework (EAF) ( http://www.dyn-data.com/ free )
Riverton’s HOW OpenFrame ( http://www.riverton.com )
jecFrame ( http://www.jecsoft.com/prod01.htm )

For more information, please see "PFC Class Libraries" at the "Top Tools" CheatSheet.

Also, the PFC Guide web site answers the question "I would like to learn PFC. Where Do I start?"_{[Borrowed from Boris]}at:

http://www.pfcguide.com/faq/faq_genq.asp

Notes: At the above site, Boris Gasin will tell you about white paper to read on Service Based Architecture by Bill Green... It is very deep though, so don't worry, just make it through the first Chapter or so to begin with... (You know how smart them Team Powersoft gurus are.) ... Also, so that you know what to concentrate on, Boris will tell you which PFC topics to get real familiar with first off... Also notice that there are links to some of his listed key topics in the PFC Guide's FAQ.

Hey, bookmark >> http://www.pfcguide.com <<right away......Or simply memorize "pfcguide"!

The PFC Guide has everything and anything you'll ever need to know about the PFC right there, all organized and at your fingertips! ... For instance, get to know the PFC services (what do they do, common questions about each) at:

http://www.pfcguide.com/pfc_faq.asp

And breeze through all the Powersoft PFC-related Faxbacks at:

http://www.pfcguide.com/pfclinks.asp#PFC_FaxBack_Documents

And, Yes! There are some fantastic PFC books... This first book is a great way to learn PFC, tutorial style...

Programming with the PFC, available in 6.0 and 7.0 versions

To order: http://www.amazon.com
or http://www.envisionsoft.com , navigate to "PFC Tutorial"

Author: Bob Hendry

And these two are "Must Haves" for any PFCer...

PowerBuilder Foundation Class Library Professional Reference
(Team Powersoft Series)

To order: http://www.amazon.com

Authors: Howard Block, Millard Brown, Boris Gasin, William Green, Andy Tauber
Contributions by: Steve Benfield, Kent Marsh and William Rompala

PFC Programmer's Reference Manual

To order: http://www.amazon.com

Author: Richard Brooks
Appendices by: Sharon Weinstrom Buntz, Jason Cohen, Glenn G. D’mello, Ken Howe, Greg Schultz, Brian Suter

And be sure to check out the excellent PFC articles in PB magazines such as PowerTimes, PowerBuilder Developer’s Journal and back issues of PowerBuilder Advisor. Many are also available online, and they contain current, practical, helpful and yes interesting PFC info... Don't miss Boris Gasin's "PFC Place" in the International electronic magazine called PowerTimes. Also, don't miss John Olson at the "PFC Corner" in the PowerBuilder Developer’s Journal.

Also, it is really worth it to go to a PFC training class. The Sybase ones are very good (http://slc.sybase.com/guide/index.html ), and there are some excellent advanced PFC classes available as well... For example, inspiring seminars and CDs by Steve Benfield... See:

http://www.stevebenfield.com
http://www.stevebenfield.com//Pages/seminarandcds.html
http://slc.sybase.com/guide/index.html

Last but not least, don't be afraid to look at the PFC code itself! All of the source code is right there at your fingertips. Plus, the PFC code is a fine example of how to code, written by the finest programming minds to be found... And so getting to know it helps your programming skills as well. Also, the more you know about what's under the covers, the deeper your understanding will grow.

And, don't worry, if you have any questions along the way...

...the PFC mail lists and newsgroups are just a search...

http://www.mail-archive.com/pfcsig@rssi.com
http://support.sybase.com/fd_search.html
http://www.pfcguide.com/_newsgroups/search.asp

...or an e-mail...

http://www.opcenter.net/~david_levine/pblmlist.html
news://forums.powersoft.com/powersoft.public.powerbuilder.pfc
http://www.pfcguide.com/_newsgroups/subject_list.asp?group=powersoft.public.powerbuilder.pfc

.............away!

Happy PFCing!
Sharon Weinstrom Buntz
mailto:sbuntz@texas.net

8-) ~~ Special thanks to Sean Henriques for his inspiration for this little write-up... And thanks to Yannick Lockhead and Brian Grimm for their inspiration to keep it fresh and updated.