Who uses PowerBuilder class definitions
Most business applications do not need to use class definition
information. Code that uses class definition information is written by
groups that write class libraries, application frameworks, and
productivity tools.
Although your application might not include any code that uses
class definition information, tools that you use for design,
documentation, and class libraries will. These tools examine class
definitions for your objects so that they can analyze your application
and provide feedback to you.
Scenarios
Class information might be used when developing:
-
A custom object browser
-
A tool that needs to know the objects of an application and
their relationshipsThe purpose might be to document the application or to provide
a logical way to select and work with the objects. -
A CASE tool that deconstructs PowerBuilder objects, allows the
user to redesign them, and reconstructs themTo do the reconstruction, the CASE tool needs both class
definition information and a knowledge of PowerBuilder object source
code syntax. -
A class library in which objects need to determine the class
associated with an instantiated object, or a script needs to know
the ancestor of an object in order to make assumptions about
available methods and variables