Course One - CA Plex First Principles

Overview of CA Plex

The 3 day course begins with a brief history of CA Plex and describes the main features of the tool.  Application development in the CA Plex workgroup environment is outlined and the delegates are instructed in the creation of local models.

Navigation within CA Plex

This section introduces delegates to the ‘Object Browser’, the hub of plex development.  The different methods of identifying and navigating between objects are demonstrated.

Creation of Fields, Entities and Views

At this point the concepts of ‘Triples’ and ‘Inheritance’ are introduced.  The delegate is instructed step by step through the process of creating the objects listed via the ‘Model Editor’.  This section also introduces the generate and build window and describes the setting of options appropriate to the application deployment environment.

Working with the Panel Designer

How to achieve the desired screen layout is demonstrated using the ‘Panel Palette’ and ‘Panel Properties’ tools.  The setting of control defaults is explained and some best practices for panel design are outlined.

Working with the Action Diagram

This section introduces the concept of multiple function inheritance and it’s achievement through ‘FunctionShell’.  The various uses of the ‘Variable’ and ‘Action Diagram’ palettes are explained and modification to action diagram functionality via ‘collection’ points is demonstrated.  A number of action diagram statements present in the Foundation pattern library are introduced and explained.

Constructing customized functions

The process of creating a customized function utilising inheritance and replacement functionality available in CA Plex is explained.

Implementing an application

In this section the various ways an application can be deployed are discussed.

Useful tips for debugging on both the client and the server

When things go wrong developers need to find ways of identifying the problem.  We outline some of the common methods of debugging applications.

Pitfalls and common errors encountered

There are certain things to look out for when you are new to using CA Plex.  Benefit from the experience of our consultants and be prepared for the common mistakes which will be made.

Desynit's CA Plex Patterns

Desynit has distilled and refined many of the patterns successfully utilised in a number of our previous projects.

Our pattern libraries for CA Plex include:

• DataAccess Patterns  - Access and control information easily
• YouEyeControl - Create a custom user interface for your CA Plex application

Our larger and more sophisticated patterns require assistance and advice in order to get the best from them, consequently  they are not currently available for direct download.  These pattern libraries include our user interface management library called YouEyeControl and the Atlantic business objects library.

Please contact Desynit to discuss how our pattern technology can accelerate your CA Plex development.  Further information regarding these pattern libraries can be found in our Products section.

• Manufacturing
• Warehousing & Distribution
• General Insurance
• Banking and Finance
• Property Portfolio Management
• Payroll & Account Processing
• Customer & Personnel Management

• Manufacturing
• Warehousing & Distribution
• General Insurance
• Banking and Finance
• Property Portfolio Management
• Payroll & Account Processing
• Customer & Personnel Management

Our Design Ethos

We work with our clients to create computer systems which can fulfill their immediate business need.

Our experience and technical expertise ensures that maintenance and future expansion can be undertaken with the minimum of disruption.

The systems which we design are straightforward and intuitive.  We are concise in our design and specifications with the aim of ensuring the maximum possible life span for the resulting application.

Modifications and enhancements are necessary for all systems, and we reflect this in the design our systems.  We conform with familiar industry norms that will allow future developers to identity and understand the structures processes of the system in the years to come.

Course Two - Moving Forward with CA Plex

Duration

4 Days.

Advanced Data Modelling Techniques

Using additional triples on Fields, Entities, Views and Functions to create a more advanced and flexible application.

Using Supplied Pattern Libraries

Here we examine the Entities provided in the Foundation pattern library,  explaining the purpose and the steps required to implement them.

Using Replacement in CA Plex

The powerful ability to inherit from supplied objects and only replace those attributes necessary is demonstrated.

Using API’s in CA Plex including the implementation of ActiveX controls

The use of ActiveX controls can hugely enhance the look and feel of an application without incurring a huge increase in development time. In this section we demonstrate how ActiveX controls are implemented in CA Plex.

Getting to Grips with Arrays

Arrays are a common feature when retrieving records, here we provide a step by step guide to using them.

Introduction to Meta-code and Meta-functions

Meta-code is a very powerful and complex way of programming your Action Diagram in CA Plex and allows you to interrogate objects and their associated triples in a model as well as working with fields in variables both in the Action Diagram and the Panel.  It is used mainly for building template functions but we also explain ways in which it can be implemented to reduce both development time and bugs and in addition provide some element of protection against future changes.

Using Panel Frames Technology

‘Panel Frames’ allow developers to create ‘Tabbed’ and ‘Wizard’ style functions that are commonly seen in many windows applications.

When it comes to the use of technology Desynit recognises that selecting a good match is critical for your business. Desynit advocates the use of development tools to rapidly design and create applications.

For application software model based development tools permit business applications to be maintained, modified, and extended in a controlled and efficient manner.  We are specialists in the use of the CA Plex development environment and the Websydian e-Business development tool to develop enterprise scale software for IBM iSeries, Java and Windows.

The Internet is a vital tool for many business today.  Keeping control of the growing information generated by an organisation and managing how it is presented can become overwhelming.  In such circumstances, Desynit promotes the use of content management systems to protect the investment made in your information and to facilitate it's delivery by a variety of technologies. 

When it comes to the use of technology Desynit recognises that selecting a good match is critical for your business. Desynit advocates the use of development tools to rapidly design and create applications.

For application software model based development tools permit business applications to be maintained, modified, and extended in a controlled and efficient manner.  We are specialists in the use of the CA Plex development environment and the Websydian e-Business development tool to develop enterprise scale software for IBM iSeries, Java and Windows.

The Internet is a vital tool for many business today.  Keeping control of the growing information generated by an organisation and managing how it is presented can become overwhelming.  In such circumstances, Desynit promotes the use of content management systems to protect the investment made in your information and to facilitate it's delivery by a variety of technologies. 

Desynit & CA Plex

The software developers at Desynit have many years of experience using CA Plex and know to get the best results in any situation.We design, build, deploy and support applications on all the major platforms supported by CA Plex.  Not only does Desynit have the experience to design and build CA Plex applications on these platforms, we also have the knowledge needed to leverage technological  features to deliver the best performance from your chosen platform.Our CA Plex platform repertoire includes:Microsoft Windows Client Microsoft Windows Server Microsoft SQL Server Database IBM iSeries (AS/400) Server IBM iSeries 5250 NPT Client UNIX server with Oracle Database Java client with JDBC Server Websydian(TM) with iSeries Tomcat Web Server Websydian(TM) with Microsoft IIS Web Server  

Desynit are experts in updating legacy applications to improve performance and extend their lifespan.  We have project experience ranging from general "housekeeping" changes to the enabling of older applications for e-Business.  We can bring experience and insight in developing online interfaces for your existing systems.

Desynit are experts in updating legacy applications to improve performance and extend their lifespan.  We have project experience ranging from general "housekeeping" changes to the enabling of older applications for e-Business.  We can bring experience and insight in developing online interfaces for your existing systems.

Course Three - Advanced Meta-code in CA Plex

This course is designed primarily for developers that are confident with using the tool to produce basic functions.  Perhaps they would like to carry out developments using more generic techniques to both speed up the development and reduce the number of mundane tasks which are required.  Our experienced consultants will demonstrate the appropriate situations to use meta-code, providing examples of some of the best practices to follow when implementing the solutions.

Software Patterns with CA Plex

Software development using Patterns has been used in system development for some years.  By recognising and distilling the essence of a solution to a common problem it becomes possible to increase development productivity and reduce errors.

CA Plex's modeling and object inheritance features provide the perfect tools for building software patterns from small simple objects which solve common programming tasks, to large frameworks to provide the core services for entire business systems.

CA Plex for Project Managers and Analysts

Whilst working with many of our clients we have identified a need for a CA Plex course suitable for both Project Managers and Analysts to give them a basic understanding of the tool.  An incite into the power of inheritance can assist in producing more appropriate project plans and design documents.  Delegates are given induction in navigation of a CA Plex model to allow them to find out basic information without the assistance of a developer.  Our aim is to reduce the gap between a developer and a non-developers knowledge of the power of CA Plex.