[Gnue-dev] Issues trying to learn how to use GNUe tools

[Stanley A. Klein]

Having solved my connections problem, I've now been having difficulty
figuring out how to use the GNUe tools.  I don't know if my difficulties
are being caused by bugs, yet-to-do's, features (that might need to be
changed), or code that has raced ahead of documentation.  Some of my
problems are clearly caused by my lack of expertise in some aspects of
database design.

Here are some of the problems I have encountered:

1.  (This is an indirect issue.) At one point I got a display (not a
traceback) to the effect that wxserial.so could not be found.  I have no
idea what this is or what package supplies it.  I downloaded the latest
rpms for wxPython (the version for Python 2.1) and couldn't find it in
either that package or its associated packages.  Is this a wxPython file
related to Python 2.2 (as distinct from 2.1)?  Do we really have a Python
2.2 dependency for some functions?

2.  I don't fully understand the "master-detail" structure, but I do
understand relational joins.  (Master-detail almost looks like a concept
from legacy hierarchical or network databases.)  How do I handle a
(hopefully) normalized relational database where the data for the forms
would need to be constructed by joins, almost like a view, but one that was
read-write and not just read-only?

3.  The only way I have been able to get Designer to work is using the
wizard.  I can click all I want on the bound dropdown button and nothing
happens.  Same for the menu selection for bound dropdown and the other
buttons and menu selections.  How do I get to place widgets on the form
using Designer?  Could there be a sequence of steps where the selections
for the future steps are not greyed out prior to their being really availahle?

4.  After I have used the Designer wizard, I would like to change one of
the entry boxes to a bound dropdown.  How do I do that?  

5.  At one point I got a dialogue for a bound dropdown that gave me the
opportunity to enter the values, but there was some kind of problem and I
lost the results without being able to save them.  I have no idea how I got
there.  How might the dialogue have been reached?

6.  I've searched the documentation and examples for relevant information,
and tried to read the code to figure things out.  All I found was that one
of the relevant formats (related to foreign keys) is deprecated, but I
can't find the new version explained .  I can't find any examples that
clearly involve the kinds of database structures I think I need for the
applications I am working on.  As a minimum, the parameter descriptions for
forms need to be updated.  Also, the parameter table entries in the
documentation for "foreign keys" need to be made more clear.

7.  Is there a way to design fhe forms without first establishing a
database connection and then backing into the schema for the database?

8.  Is there a structure that allows a dropdown list with the capability
for entering a new value into the list (i.e., if you enter a new value
instead of picking one from the list, the new value becomes part of the
list, possibly with other parameters on a screen that pops up after you
enter the value)?  At one time I thought it was called a combo box.  Is it
still in there?  What is it called now?  This obviously requires an event.
Can you give me a hit how to set that up?

9.  I was able to move entry boxes and labels around on the forms in
Designer using the location values at the bottom of the screen.  I assume
eventually drag-and-drop is supposed to be there.  Is it a to-do or is it
there now, and I just missed it?

If someone can help me with understanding these issues, I will try to find
the time to help improve the relevant documentation.

BTW, the applications I am trying to do include two of what I've learned
the accounting gurus call "journals."  One is a journal of office expenses
(supplies, copying, and mailing) and the other is a journal of local travel
and meeting expenses.


Stan Klein