Object Groups, Object Library

OBJECT GROUPS

An object group is a container for a group of objects. You define an object group when you want to package related objects so you can copy or subclass them in another module. Object groups provide a way to bundle objects into higher-level building blocks that can be used in other parts of an application and in subsequent development projects.

You define an object group when you want to package related objects for copying or sub classing in another module. You can use object groups to bundle numerous objects into higher-level building blocks that you can use again in another application.

Using Object Groups

v    Blocks include:

Items

Item-level triggers

Block-level triggers

Relations

v    Object groups cannot include other object groups

v    Deleting:

An object group does not affect the objects

An object affects the object group

Copying an Object

Copying an object creates a separate, unique version of that object in the target module. Any objects owned by the copied object are also copied.

Use copying to export the definition of an object to another module.

v    Changes made to a copied object in the source module do not affect the copied object in the target module.

Subclassing

Subclassing is an object-oriented term that refers to the following capabilities:

v    Inheriting the characteristics of a base class (Inheritance)

v    Overriding properties of the base class (Specialization)

OBJECT LIBRARY

This object provides an easy method of reusing objects and enforcing standards across the entire development organization.

You can use the Object Library to create, store, maintain, and distribute standard and reusable objects.

In addition, by using Object Libraries, you can rapidly create applications by dragging and dropping predefined objects to your form.

v    Is a convenient container of objects for reuse

v    Simplifies reuse in complex environments

v    Supports corporate, project, and personal standards

v    Simplifies the sharing of reusable components

Object libraries are convenient containers of objects for reuse. They simplify reuse in complex environments, and they support corporate, project, and personal standards.

An object library can contain simple objects, property classes, object groups, and program units, but they are protected against change in the library. Objects can be used as standards (classes) for other objects.

Object libraries simplify the sharing of reusable components. Reusing components enables you to:

v    Apply standards to simple objects, such as buttons and items, for a consistent look and feel

v    Reuse complex objects such as a Navigator

Benefits of the Object Library

v    Simplifies the sharing and reuse of objects

v    Provides control and enforcement of standards

v    Eliminates the need to maintain multiple referenced forms

SMARTCLASS

A SmartClass is a special member of an Object Library. Unlike other Object Library members, it can be used to subclass existing objects in a form using the SmartClass option from the right mouse button popup menu. Object Library members which are not SmartClasses can only be used to create new objects in form modules into which they are added.

 If you frequently use certain objects as standards, such as standard buttons, date items, and alerts, you can mark them as SmartClasses by selecting each object in the object library and choosing Object—>SmartClass.

You can mark many different objects that are spread across multiple object libraries as SmartClasses.

v    Is an object in an object library that is frequently used as a class

v    Can be applied easily and rapidly to existing objects

v    Can be defined in many object libraries

You can have many SmartClasses of a given object