Welcome to Pibbles.NET!

PowerBuilder Knowledge Base, Library, and Idea source
Home
Pages to Watch
PowerScript
Datawindows
IDE
Eye Candy
PFC
Databases
.Net
API
OLE
Web/XML/DOM
EAServer
Other Info
PowerBuilder Solutions
About Us
Contact Us
Site Map
Using Databases With PowerBuilder
 
One of the strengths of PowerBuilder is its ability to work with so many databases with so little effort. 
 

Runtime Database

The runtime database engine that is available with PowerBuilder may be distributed freely with the applications you create.  This database is likely all you will ever need if your application is a stand-alone executable.  You can reference the tables in the database through datawindows, embedded SQL, and SQL cursors. 

 

Generally, if in your code you need to alter the structure of any existing table, or if you want to add a new table, make use of the

EXECUTE IMMEDIATE :ls_sql USING SQLCA;

command. 

 

Let's assume a scenario in which your product is on a PC to which you have no access.  You sold the product and they bought it.  Now you have to deliver an update, and that update includes enhancements to the database.  Deliver a set of SQL statements to that PC and step through those SQL statements to prepare the database for the new version's changes.

 

(Thanks to Chris Pollach for the assist on this!)

 

Articles

 

ODBC 101