Step 2: Modifying Project Properties
After you select OK on the
Data Link Properties window, RapTier loads the
database schema. It sets the default values for the project properties that
specify how and where the output code will be generated. The default values
allow you to immediately generate your WinForm application without additional
customization.
If you want to
change the default values, select an item you would like to modify in the
project tree and use the UI controls on the right panel to set new values.
Figure 2.1
In this tutorial we will change
the default settings to generate code that better fits our needs. Select the
root node in the project tree and make the following changes:
- Type the output directory path for the generated code
to the Base Output Directory text box or click the
button to browse for it. Note: If the directory does not exist, RapTier will
create it.
- The Template Group (Figure
2.2) drop-down list includes the Standard C#
and Standard VB.NET
items. By switching between these two options you can control in
what language your application will be generated. Choose the language that you
feel more comfortable with. Code examples in this tutorial will be presented
in both languages.
- Choose your IDE in the Target IDEdrop-down list.
Figure
2.2
- Enter the project namespace
RapTier.Tutorial.Db .
- Make sure that the MS Access option is selected in
the Database Engine drop-down list.
Figure 2.3
Users with different database engines will be
presented with slightly different options. For example, MS SQL Server users will have an
additional option Generate Stored Procedures. More on this you can find
in the User Guide section of the documentation.
- Check the Generate WinForm UI
Project check-box.
- Click on the table/view nodes of the project tree
view and then on the column nodes to see the options shown in the Figure 2.4.
Figure 2.4
- Check the Auto Increment
check-box for the following identity (AutoNumber) columns:
- CategoryID in the
Categories table
- EmployeeID in the
Employees table
- OrderID in the Orders
table
- ProductID in the
Products table
- ShipperID in the
Shippers table
- SupplierID in the
Suppliers table
We need to do this manually because the MS
Access OLE DB provider does not recognize auto increment columns. Note: If you
use MS SQL Server, MSDE, FoxPro, MySQL databases you don't need to set the auto increment flag
for columns manually, RapTier will do it for you.
By clicking on the table/view and column nodes on the
project tree view you can also edit the corresponding Code and Display names. A
text box will be displayed on the right-hand panel that will allow you to edit
the items.