Introduction to PowerBuilder

Creating an Application Object

Application object is the entry point of an application. For each application you create, you have to have an application object. Similarly for "Product Management System" we need to have an application object. Let us create it with the same name.

You need to invoke an application object painter by clicking on the icon. At this time, the application that is opened is "example 5.0"/"example 6.0", that comes with PowerBuilder software, depending on the version, .

To create a new application object you need to click on icon (Please note that, at anytime you see a star on an icon, it means that clicking on that icon allows you to create a new object ) or select File/New from the menu. As explained in the previous page, for every object you create in PowerBuilder, you need to store it in a PowerBuilder library. Same is the case with an Application object. You need to select a library name in which you want to store the new application object. Select product.pbl which you created previously. Now, PowerBuilder prompts you for an application object's name. Provide product_management_system and click OK or Save button depending on the operating system you are using.

PowerBuilder makes the application development faster, by creating the skeleton application, if you choose so. Do NOT select "Yes" for the prompt, instead select No. You might ask, what happens if I select "Yes". Good question. As explained earlier, it creates the minimum required components for an application. Actually, it creates an application that uses MDI (Multiple Document Interface) style, which is too advanced for you at this stage. Before you develop a MDI application, you should know a lot of other basics.

Now you see the new application named product_management_system on the window titlebar, indicating it as the active application.

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