Tutorial: AppMaster Builder

Guides you through the process of using AppMaster Builder to define a basic online application including a screen, program actions, and database access; then generate and compile source code from the defined application.
Restriction: This topic applies only when the AppMaster Builder AddPack has been installed, and applies only to Windows platforms.

Assumptions

This tutorial is written from the perspective that all of the following is true. Specific instructions for setting your environment to adhere to these assumptions is found in the Before you begin this tutorial section that follows:

  • Windows File Explorer is set to show file names and extensions.
  • You are running the latest version of Micro Focus Enterprise Developer, which has been installed on your local machine.
  • You have installed the latest version of the AppMaster Builder AddPack for Enterprise Developer.
  • Eclipse is started on your local machine, and the AMB Perspective is open.
  • You are using the default Eclipse workspace, which is c:\users\WinUserName\workspace, where WinUserName is your Windows user name.
  • Eclipse options are set to build projects automatically.
  • You have addressed all of the items in the Before you begin this tutorial section below.

Before you begin this tutorial

Before beginning this tutorials be sure you have addressed each of the following items:

Set Windows File Explorer options
These tutorials assume that your Windows File Explorer options are set to use the Details layout, and to show file name extensions. See your Windows documentation for more information.
Start Enterprise Developer
Start Enterprise Developer using the default workspace, which is %USERPROFILE%\eclipse-workspace. If you need instructions to get Enterprise Developer started on your local machine, see To start Enterprise Developer.
Open the AppMaster Builder perspective and views in Eclipse
  1. From the Eclipse IDE, click Open Perspective Open Perspective.
  2. On the Open Perspective dialog box, select AppMaster Builder, and then click OK.

    The AppMaster Builder perspective includes the Project Explorer and the Database View Explorer views.

Set Eclipse to build automatically
By default, the Eclipse Build Automatically option is turned on, which means that Eclipse builds a project automatically each time a change is made. To ensure that this Build Automatically is turned on:
  1. From the Eclipse Main Menu, click Project.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • If the Build Automatically menu option has a check mark to its left, it is already turned on. No further action is required.
    • If the Build Automatically menu option does not have a check mark to its left, click the option to turn it on.
Review Screen Painter basics
Before you start the Paint a Screen section of this tutorial, review the tools and techniques presented in the Screen Painter Basics topic.

Demonstration application - BLDRAPPL

The demonstration application provided for this tutorial is a basic, online application named BLDRAPPL. It is missing some components that you define in AppMaster Builder.

BLDRAPPL uses CICS/VSAM as the development target because it is commonly used in production.

The BLDRAPPL application performs the following functions:

  • Presents a selection menu
  • Enables you to add, update, query, and delete records
  • Calculates the total value of your inventory
  • Provides an exit

The application as shipped includes two programs and associated screens:

BLDRCMNU program
BLDRCMNU is a menu program that interacts with the BLDRCM screen.
BLDRCM screen
Provides access to two program screens, and provides an option to exit the application.
Main Menu Screen
BLDRCADD program
BLDRCADD interacts with the BLDRCA screen.
BLDRCA screen
Enables your end user to add parts information and records to a database, and then return to the main menu.
Parts Add Screen

The BLDRAPPL application also includes one additional program that you create to interact with one additional screen that you also create:

BLDRUPD program
Interacts with the BLDRCU screen.
BLDRCU screen
Enables end users to query, update, and delete multiple part records; keep a running total of inventory value; and exit to the main menu.

Parts Update Screen

Sequence

To complete this tutorial, progress through these topics in the order presented here. The bottom of each topic provides Next topic and Previous topic navigational links to help you proceed in the proper sequence:

  1. Create a User Area
    Walks you through the steps needed to create a directory for storing your AMB work files.
  2. Set Up AMB and COBOL Projects
    Guides you through the process of creating, populating, and configuring an AppMaster Builder project, and creating an Enterprise Developer COBOL project in which to store generated source code.
  3. Add Objects to the BLDRAPPL Project
    Walks you through the steps required to add global objects to the BLDRAPPL application, and add a new program and screen to develop in AppMaster Builder.
  4. Set BLDRAPPL Preferences and View Properties
    Guides you through the process of setting output preferences for the BLDRAPPL project, and view the properties for the BLDRAPPL application and the BLDRUPD program.
  5. Paint the BLDRCU Screen
    Provides step-by-step instructions to create the BLDRCU screen using the AMB Screen Painter.
  6. Assign Screen Field Edits
    Walks you through the steps to assign field edits to the fields on the BLDRCU screen.
  7. Code the CALCINV User Rule
    Provides step-by-step instructions for creating and coding a Customizer User Rule that calculates inventory value.
  8. Map BLDRCU Screen Fields to BLDRUPD
    Provides instructions for using Online Express to map screen fields from the BLDRCU screen to working-storage fields in the BLDRUPD program.
  9. Define BLDRUPD Program Actions
    Walks you through the process of defining program actions and events using Online Express.
  10. Define APSUPD Data View Access
    Define database calls and customize database access.
  11. Generate and Compile the BLDRAPPL Application
    Takes you through the process of generating the completed BLDRAPPL application in AppMaster Builder, and automatically compiling it in Enterprise Developer.
Parent topic: Mainframe Tutorials
Related tasks
To start Enterprise Developer
Related reference
Screen Painter Basics