Description

In previous releases, you could work on the objects in only one PowerBuilder application. In this release, PowerBuilder introduces the workspace in which you can work on several applications or targets.

To work with targets, you must have an open workspace. You can have only one workspace open at a time, but you can add as many targets to the workspace as you want, and open and edit objects in multiple targets. You can build and deploy multiple targets at the same time.

There are two types of targets: PowerScript targets and Web targets. A PowerScript target can be any of the application types you are accustomed to building, such as a client executable application or EAServer component. A Web target is a Web application. It can contain all the elements you require to build a Web site—HTML files, scripts, images, downloaded components—as well as settings for build options, database connections, and deployment.

PowerBuilder Enterprise Web targets are available only in the Enterprise edition of PowerBuilder.

Usage

When you start PowerBuilder 8 for the first time, the Welcome to PowerBuilder screen lets you create a new workspace with or without targets.

Once you have created a workspace you can add targets to it. For example, if you are writing business objects and deploying them to EAServer, you can work with EAServer components and a client application in the same workspace. If you plan to access the EAServer components from a Web client, you can add the Web target to the same workspace.

Existing applications If you have an application you want to work on that you created in a previous version of PowerBuilder, create a workspace without a target, and then use the Existing Application Wizard to add the application to the new workspace.

When you first open PowerBuilder, the Workspace tab in the System Tree window displays the contents of the current workspace. It provides an easily accessible way to edit objects, check them in and out of source control, and build and deploy targets.

You can set the root of the System Tree to your computer's root directory, the current workspace or selection, or any directory or library. You can open and close the System Tree from a button on the PowerBar.

For more information

"User interface changes in PowerBuilder 8"
"Working with PowerBuilder 8"
"Using the System Tree window "
"Web targets"