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Develop ABL Applications

Update Your Database and Write Triggers

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Table of Contents
  • Introduction to ABL
    • About the sample database
    • In the beginning . . . FOR EACH CUSTOMER
      • Start your OpenEdge session
      • Write your first procedure
    • ABL structure
    • An ABL procedure consists of statements
    • ABL combines procedural, database, and user interface statements
    • Save your test procedure
  • Use Basic ABL Constructs
    • Comparison operators
    • Use quotation marks
    • Create nested blocks to display related data
    • Change labels and formats
    • Use program variables and data types
      • Define formats
      • Other variable qualifiers
      • Variable naming conventions
      • Placement of variable definitions
      • Learn about the VAR statement
    • Define an IF-THEN-ELSE decision point
    • Use the ABL Unknown value
    • Use built-In ABL functions
    • ABL functions
      • ABL string manipulation functions
    • Put a calculation into your procedure
    • Get to online help
    • Save and compile your test procedure
  • Run ABL Procedures
    • Use the Propath
    • Use external and internal procedures
      • Write internal procedures
      • Assign a value to a variable
      • RETURN statement and RETURN-VALUE
    • Add comments to your procedure
  • Introduction to the OpenEdge AppBuilder
    • Start the AppBuilder
    • Create a new procedure and window
      • Add fields to your window
      • Change object names and titles
      • Save a procedure from the AppBuilder
      • Run your procedure
    • Use the Query Builder
      • Add a browse to your window
      • Use property sheets
    • Use the Section Editor
      • Look at preprocessor values in the Code Preview
      • Position within the query
    • Add buttons to your window
      • Define a CHOOSE trigger for your button
      • Define user interface events
      • Adjust the layout of the buttons
  • Examine the Code the AppBuilder Generates
    • View the entire sample procedure code
      • The Definitions section
      • Window, button, browse, and frame definitions
        • Define a handle variable for the window
        • Define a button
        • Define a query
        • Define a browse
        • Define a frame
      • Create the window
        • Static objects
        • Dynamic objects
        • Set attributes of dynamic objects
      • Define triggers
        • The button triggers
      • Triggers as event-driven code
      • Look at the main block
      • The internal procedures
    • Contrast procedural and event-driven programs
      • Advantages of the AppBuilder file format
    • Looking ahead
  • Procedure Blocks and Data Access
    • Procedure block scope
    • DO blocks
      • Loop with a DO block
      • Use a DO block to scope records and frames
    • FOR blocks
      • Join tables using multiple FOR phrases
      • Alternatives to the EACH keyword
      • Use indexes to relate and sort data
      • Use the USE-INDEX phrase to force a retrieval order
      • Use the LEAVE statement to leave a block
      • Use block headers to identify blocks
      • Use NEXT, STOP, and QUIT to change block behavior
      • Qualify a FOR statement with a frame reference
    • REPEAT blocks
      • Use the PRESELECT keyword to get data in advance
    • Data access without looping: the FIND statement
      • Index cursors
      • Use the FIND statement in a REPEAT block
      • Switch indexes between FIND statements
      • Use a USE-INDEX phrase to force index selection
      • Do a unique FIND to retrieve a single record
      • Use the CAN-FIND function
  • Record Buffers and Record Scope
    • Record buffers
    • Record scope
      • Self-contained references to a buffer
      • Generate a procedure listing file
      • Nested, weak-scoped references to the same buffer
      • Weak-scoped blocks and free references
      • Scope buffers
      • Strong-scoped references and containing blocks
    • Record buffer and error handling
    • Add procedures to the test window
      • Define h-OrderCalcs.p to calculate totals
        • Check the syntax of a procedure
        • Add fill-ins to the window for the calculations
        • Change field properties in the property sheet
        • Write a VALUE-CHANGED trigger for the browse
        • Add APPLY statements to the procedure
      • Write the h-BinCheck procedure to check inventory
        • Use list and string functions to manage a list of values
        • Use multiple weak-scoped references in a single block
        • Examine the scope with weak and strong references
      • Display the new fields in the window
  • Define Graphical Objects
    • Types of objects
    • Define static objects
      • Use the VIEW-AS phrase for data representation
      • Define objects that do not represent data values
    • Use and set object attributes
      • Change attribute values
      • Common attribute values for visual objects
        • Geometry attributes
        • Appearance attributes
        • Data management attributes
        • Relationship attributes
        • Identify attributes
    • Invoke object methods
    • Instantiate and realize objects
      • Instantiate objects in a container
      • Realize and derealize objects
    • Use object events
      • User interface events
      • Define triggers
        • Set up triggers to be executed
        • Make a trigger persistent
        • Use the REVERT statement to cancel a trigger
        • Define triggers to fire anywhere
      • Apply events in your application
        • Use NO-APPLY to suppress default processing for an event
        • Apply a nonstandard event
  • Use Graphical Objects in Your Interface
    • Use data representation objects
      • Modify fill-in attributes in the Properties Window
      • Change a fill-in field to an editor
        • Use the Properties Window to change a display type
        • Use the Section Editor’s pop-up menu to insert a value
        • Look at the code that defines the editor
      • Add a toggle box to the window
      • Define a slider
      • Objects that display a list of choices for a data value
        • Use a radio set to display a set of choices for a value
    • Use other types of objects
      • Use rectangles to organize objects
      • Use images to display pictures
      • Add text to the window
    • Specify drag and drop
    • Use menus
      • Menu bars
      • Define a menu bar
      • Assign a menu bar to a window
      • Define a menu bar for the sample window
        • Use the MENU-DROP event
        • Use OWNER, PARENT, FIRST-CHILD, and NEXT-SIBLING
      • Define a pop-up menu
      • Character-mode considerations
  • Use Queries
    • Queries versus block-oriented data access
    • Query uses
    • Define and use queries
      • OPEN and CLOSE QUERY statements
        • Use an outer join in a query
        • Sort the query results
      • GET statements
        • Use the QUERY-OFF-END function
      • Close a query
      • Determine the current number of rows in a query
        • Use a DOWN frame and the DOWN WITH statement
        • Retrieve query results in advance
      • Identify the current row in the query
        • Use INDEXED-REPOSITION
      • Reposition a query
        • Use a RowID to identify a record
        • Position details with the REPOSITION statement
    • Extend the sample window to use the queries
      • Use NUM-RESULTS to check the validity of the query
      • Use the MESSAGE statement
    • Example: Populate a browse using a freeform query
    • Summary
  • Define and Use Temp-tables
    • Use temp-tables in your application
      • Define a temp-table
        • Define fields for the temp-table
        • Define indexes for the temp-table
        • Temp-table scope
        • Temp-table buffers
    • Use a temp-table to summarize data
    • Use a temp-table as a parameter
      • Temp-table parameter syntax
      • Pass a temp-table by value
      • Pass a temp-table by reference
      • Pass a temp-table parameter by binding
      • Define a procedure to return Order Lines
      • Use BUFFER-COPY to assign multiple fields
    • Use include files to duplicate code
    • Add an Order Line browse to the Customer window
  • Use the Browse Object
    • Define a query for a browse
    • Define a browse
      • Change the test window for the OrderLine browse
      • Enable columns in the browse
      • Define a single- or multiple-select browse
      • Browse selection and query interaction
      • Use calculated columns
      • Size a browse and browse columns
      • Specify a widget type for displaying column data
    • Program with the browse
      • Browse events
        • Basic events
        • Row events
        • Column events
        • Search columns
      • Manipulate rows in the browse
        • Refresh browse rows
        • Reposition focus
        • Update browse rows
        • Create browse rows
        • Delete browse rows
      • Manipulate the browse itself
        • Set the query attribute for the browse
        • Access the browse columns
        • Lock columns
        • Move columns
      • Browse style options
        • Use stacked labels
        • Justify labels
        • Indicate column sort order
        • Use color to distinguish updateable columns
        • Use color and font to distinguish cells
        • Establish ToolTip information
        • Use a disabled updateable browse as a read-only browse
    • Resizable browse objects
      • Resize the browse
      • Move the browse
      • Resize the browse column
      • Move the browse column
      • Change the row height of the browse
      • Additional browse attributes
      • User manipulation events for a browse
    • Use browse objects in character interfaces
      • Character browse modes
      • Character browse control keys
      • Functional differences from the Windows graphical browse
    • Conclusion
  • Advanced Use of Procedures in ABL
    • RETURN statement and RETURN-VALUE
    • Persistent procedures
      • Run a procedure PERSISTENT
        • THIS-PROCEDURE system handle
        • Instantiate the persistent procedure
        • Parameters and persistent procedures
      • Use a persistent procedure as a run-time library
        • Obtain a procedure handle for a persistent procedure
        • Use the SESSION handle to locate running procedures
      • Useful procedure attributes and methods
      • Use a persistent procedure as shared code
      • Use a persistent procedure to duplicate code
      • Delete persistent procedures
      • Examples: Communicate between persistent procedures
      • Use SOURCE-PROCEDURE to identify your caller
    • Shared and global objects in ABL procedures
      • Why you generally should not use shared objects
      • Global shared objects in ABL
        • When to consider using global shared objects
  • Define Functions and Build Super Procedures
    • User-defined functions
      • Define a function
        • Make a forward declaration for a function
          • Make a local forward declaration
          • Make a declaration of a function in another procedure
        • Use the AppBuilder to generate function definitions
        • Make run-time references with DYNAMIC-FUNCTION
    • Use super procedures in your application
      • Super procedure language syntax
        • Change the order of super procedures
        • Invoke behavior in super procedures
      • Super procedure guidelines
        • Guideline 1: Use a single super procedure stack
        • Guideline 2: Use TARGET-PROCEDURE to refer back to the object procedure
        • Guideline 3: Make super procedure code shareable
        • Guideline 4: Avoid defining object properties and events in super procedures
        • Guideline 5: Never run anything directly in a super procedure
      • Use session super procedures
      • Super procedure example
    • PUBLISH and SUBSCRIBE statements
      • Subscribe to an event
      • Publish an event
      • Pass parameters
      • Cancel a subscription
      • PUBLISH/SUBSCRIBE example
  • Handle Data and Lock Records
    • Overview of data handling statements
    • Record locking in ABL
      • Record locking examples
        • Use EXCLUSIVE-LOCKs
        • Use and upgrade SHARE-LOCKS
        • Use the NO-WAIT Option with the AVAILABLE and LOCKED functions
        • Read records with NO-LOCK
      • Make sure you release record locks
      • Optimistic and pessimistic locking strategies
        • Use FIND CURRENT and CURRENT-CHANGED
  • Update Your Database and Write Triggers
    • Transactions in ABL
    • Build updates into an application
    • Define database triggers
      • Database trigger guidelines
      • Database events
      • Trigger procedure headers
      • Access and define triggers
        • Use database sequences in CREATE triggers
      • Session triggers
      • General trigger considerations
  • Manage Transactions
    • Control the size of a transaction
      • Make a transaction larger
      • Make a transaction smaller
      • Transactions and trigger and procedure blocks
      • The NO-UNDO keyword on temp-tables and variables
    • Use the UNDO statement
      • Use the UNDO statement in the sample procedure
        • Use UNDO, LEAVE on a block
      • Subtransactions
      • Transaction mechanics
      • Use the ON phrase on a block header
      • Handle the ERROR condition
        • ERROR-STATUS system handle
        • RETURN statement and ON . . . RETURN phrase
      • ENDKEY condition
      • STOP condition
        • System and software failures
      • QUIT condition
  • Use Dynamic Graphical Objects
    • Create visual objects
    • Object handles
      • Static object handles
    • Manage dynamic objects
      • Delete dynamic objects
      • Use widget pools
      • Use named widget pools
      • Use unnamed widget pools
      • Are widget pools static or dynamic objects?
      • Manipulate the objects in a window
      • Identify the columns of a browse
      • Use the CAN-QUERY and CAN-SET functions
      • Add dynamic objects to a window
      • Use a buffer handle and buffer field handles
      • Populate a list at run time
      • Create dynamic fields
      • Add dynamic fields to the test window
        • Storing a list of handles
        • Use the FONT-TABLE to make the labels colon-aligned
        • Field format versus width
      • Use multiple windows
        • Window system handles
        • Useful window attributes, methods, and events
        • WINDOW-CLOSE event example
      • Create window families
    • Create a dynamic browse
      • Add columns to the browse
      • Notes on dynamic browses and browse columns
      • Extend the sample procedure with a dynamic browse
      • Access the browse columns
    • Create a dynamic menu
      • Navigate the hierarchy of menu handles
      • Add a dynamic menu to the test window
    • Summary
  • Use Dynamic Queries and Buffers
    • Use dynamic queries and query handles
      • Dynamic query methods and attributes
      • Dynamic query navigation methods
      • Dynamic query reposition methods
      • Other dynamic query attributes
      • Clean up a dynamic query
      • Extend the sample window to filter dynamically
        • Define a trigger block for multiple objects
        • Use the SELF handle to identify an object in a trigger
        • Use INDEX-INFORMATION and a MESSAGE with a yes/no answer
    • Use dynamic buffers and buffer handles
      • Buffer handle attributes
      • Buffer handle methods
      • Specify the lock or wait option as a variable
      • Extend the test window to use a buffer handle
      • Clean up dynamic buffers
      • Special dynamic buffer considerations
      • Use buffer-field objects
      • Export and import data dynamically using buffers
  • Create and Use Dynamic Temp-Tables and Browses
    • Create and use dynamic temp-tables
      • Temp-table methods
        • CREATE-LIKE() method
        • CREATE-LIKE-SEQUENTIAL() method
        • ADD-FIELDS-FROM() method
        • ADD-LIKE-FIELD() method
        • ADD-NEW-FIELD() method
        • ADD-LIKE-INDEX() method
        • ADD-NEW-INDEX() method
        • ADD-INDEX-FIELD() method
        • TEMP-TABLE-PREPARE() method
        • CLEAR() method
      • Temp-table attributes
      • Temp-table buffer methods and attributes
      • Change field attributes in a temp-table buffer
      • Use shorthand syntax for dynamic field and table references
      • Clean up a dynamic temp-table
      • Extend the example to create and display records
    • Use a temp-table as a parameter
      • Use the TABLE form
        • Pass the TABLE within a session
        • Pass the TABLE between sessions
      • Use the HANDLE form
      • Use the TABLE-HANDLE form
      • Possible combinations of temp-table parameter definitions
      • Pass temp-tables by reference or by binding
        • TABLE-HANDLE form with BY-REFERENCE
        • TABLE-HANDLE form with BIND
    • Create and use dynamic browses
      • Add columns to the browse
      • Extend the test procedure with a dynamic browse
        • Browse columns and validation expressions
      • Add columns to a static browse
      • Query methods for use with browses
    • The dynamic CALL object
    • Dynamic programming considerations
  • ABL Programming Best Practices
    • Write efficient procedures
      • Use NO-UNDO variables and temp-tables
      • Group assignments with the ASSIGN statement
      • Use BUFFER-COPY and BUFFER-COMPARE
      • Block-related tips
      • The CASE statement
      • Use arrays instead of lists
      • Use FOR FIRST versus FIND
      • The ETIME function
      • Use the CAN-FIND function
      • Dynamic programming tips
      • Use indexes properly
      • Hide screen contents when making changes
      • Define efficient queries and FOR EACH statements
      • Pass temp-tables as parameters
      • Set your Propath correctly
      • Database and application server-related issues
      • Configure your session with startup options
    • Memory management in ABL
      • Clean up dynamically allocated memory
      • Use widget pools
      • Make the best use of dynamic objects
      • Avoid stale handles
      • Delete persistent procedures
      • Delete temp-table copies
      • Other object types
    • Conclusion to the book
Table of Contents

Update Your Database and Write Triggers

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  • Last Updated: February 11, 2026
  • 1 minute read
    • OpenEdge
    • Version 13.0
    • Documentation

In this section, you learn about updating your database and writing triggers—topics you need to understand to build the business logic that is the heart of your application.

Contents
  • Transactions in ABL
  • Build updates into an application
  • Define database triggers
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