Introduction to PowerBuilder

Testing a Window

We've already explained how to preview a window after you paint it. In the preview mode view how the window looks like. If there are scripts they won't execute in the preview mode. There are two ways of running the window. One method is, write script in the application object's script and run the application. This method is good when you want to test the whole application, or when this window is dependent on the application object events. Sometimes, you may want to test the window alone. In this case, you can run the window without running the whole application, by selecting the window toolbar icon (The icon which is filled with gray color, NOT Blue color) from the Powerbar.

If you haven't saved the changes, PowerBuilder prompts for saving the changes. After that, you will be prompted for the window to run. Remember, when you selected "Design/Preview" to preview the window, you can only preview the currently open window. However, irrespective of the window that is open currently, you can run any window. Note that, while running the window, appropriate scripts will execute.

Assume that you have two windows with the same name, but in different libraries and these two libraries are in the application "Library list". PowerBuilder displays the first window that it finds in the library list ( PowerBuilder searches objects in the library list in the same order you list them ) in the "Run Window" dialog box. It does not display the second window. That means, you can't test the other window. If you really need to test the second window, one way would be to open and save that window with a different name and test it. Once testing is done, save it back to the original name.

Sometimes, you might have a window with NO "Titlebar" and want to test the window alone. You can do it, no problem. The only problem would be closing the window with no CommandButton with script in it to close the window. In this situation you can't come back to the development environment. What you could do is switch to "PowerBuilder development environment (keep pressing Alt Tab key combination till you see "PowerBuilder - Your application Name" task). PowerBuilder prompts you as shown below. Say, yes. It will stop running the window.

Home	Previous Lesson: Types of Windows Next Lesson: Summary