> >I think I'm getting too confused because I'm trying to skip learning
> >Delphi and jumped straight into IBO. All we need is a TDBGrid type
> >display for a single table showing the blob column (user can dble-click
> >to open) and the other 3 columns. An IBOQuery runs when the user
> >presses a button. I don't want to go near the BDE.
>
> We are not talking about going near the BDE. The data access components you are using (those with the TIBO* prefix) are designed to _emulate_ their BDE equivalents, so that you can use the TDatasource and the controls from the native Delphi VCL.

Starting point.

Start a new project

Don't go near the IBO component tab ( iboTDataset )!

Put in a TIB_Connection ( iboCore ) and <Double Click> on it
to set it's values, you can check in the pop-up if you can
actually connect.

Set its property 'LoginPrompt' to true - you will see why
when you run the program.

Put in an TIB_Query ( iboAccess ), again <double click> on
it and set the actual fields you want to work with. Here you
can look at the data that it is going to return. ( In an
IB_Grid ! )
When you exit the pop-up - set the 'RequestLive' property to
'true'. This will switch on the clever stuff ( old BDE hands
tend to want it off but that is their loss )

Put in a TIB_DataSource ( iboAccess ) and set its Dataset
property to point at the query.

Put an IB_Grid ( iboGrids ) on the form and connect its
DataSource property to the TIB_DataSource.

Finally switch the 'Active' property on the Query to 'true'
and by magic the data will appear in the grid.

Run the program ( Helen may need to add a note here - on
Builder my connections stay open so everthing works 'from
the box' but we may need to add something to open the
connection in Delphi - its the new 'PasswordRemembered'
stuff which is being too clever at times )

Here ends the first lesson

All the clever layout stuff is controlled by entries in the
TIB_Query pop-up but that is another lesson.

> Those who have been used to the BDE techniques sometimes have a lot of trouble adapting to the native IBO techniques. You are so far fairly uncontaminated, I think! I wonder whether Lester might have some advice on this matter!

Me and Delphi?

Helen -
We aught to say to newcommers who havn't used BDE - don't
use the iboTDataset tab until you are happy with the native
stuff. And then you only need it for third party stuff that
does not understand IBO.

--
Lester Caine
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L.S.Caine Electronic Services