Course Contents

The VFP development environment

• The steps involved in creating an application.
• Overview of VFP tools. Using the Project Manager to keep track of your work.

Introduction to the XBase language

• XBase terminology, concepts and syntax.
• How to structure a simple program.
• Language elements: commands, variables, naming rules, data types, expressions, built-in functions.
• Writing a more sophisticated program: user-defined functions and procedures, scoping, program flow, SET commands.
• Working with objects, properties and methods.

Working with data

• Understanding free tables, record structures and fields.
• Browsing, editing, appending and deleting records.
• Commands and functions for working with data.
• Creating and using indexes; seeking and locating records; scope clauses; relationships between tables.

A first application

• Overall approach to developing the application.
• Using forms to communicate with the user.
• Creating forms with VFP's wizards, builders and design tools.
• Integrating forms and programs.

Adding reports and menus

• Creating reports with the Report Wizard.
• Controlling the printer.
• Creating menus with the Menu Builder.
• Calling reports and menus from the application.

Putting it together

• Creating the finished application: the Build process.
• Using configuration files to customize the environment.

More tools and techniques

• An introduction to the VFP Debugger.
• Time-saving tips, tricks and shortcuts.