Frequently Asked Questions
Visual e Products
A list of the most frequently asked questions about the Visual e TM Suite of products is maintained in a Question (Q) and Answer (A) format within this document.
Q: What is the Visual e .NET suite of products?
A: Scanning documents, Application windows development, Faxing, and E-mail are all made available from your desktop (SAFE.) The SAFE functionality is provided with a powerful Visual e Visual Search Browser, allowing access to any file by field in your multivalue database. Using the Visual e XL allows users to Import/Export data between the multivalue database and your favorite spreadsheet or word processor. All access to the multivalue database is provided through the Visual e Internet Client, which provides backward compatibility to the character-based environment.
Q: How long has Visual e .NETbeen around?
A: Visual e was first release in 1995 under the name Visual Pick. The product has matured into the full suite of Window development tools now called the Visual e Product Suite.
Q: Do I have to keep my current AccuTerm or Wintegrate terminal emulation programs?
A: No. The Visual e Internet Client provides the same terminal emulation as AccuTerm and Wintegrate to run your character-based screens.
Q: What audience was Visual e .NETdesigned for?
A: Visual e is designed for users and developers of multivalue applications who have a need for the use of Microsoft Windows to query, access, and update their multivalue database. Business-to-business and back office applications are the focal point of design
Q: What new programming language must be learned?
A: None! When code must be written in the Visual e Application Developer, the standard multivalue data basic code is used. There is no need for Visual Basic , C++, C#, Java, or HTML.
Q: What is different about this client-server environment in Visual e .NET verses Visual Basic or HTML?
A: All “Window events” are handled and written in data basic code on the MultiValue server. No program logic exist on the client side as you would find in a HTML ASP.NET solution. State, is always maintained on the server, and a persistent connection is maintained at all times by the Visual e .NET server program.
Q: What Windows platform will the Visual e .NETclient run on?
A: The Visual e Internet Client is self-installing and runs on all Windows-based PC’s 9x and above.
Q: Is Visual e .NETa MultiValue product or a Windows product?
A: Visual e .NET is both. The client provides the interface to various Windows functions, including scanning, faxing, e-mailing, and printing. The server code, written in data basic, is compatible with most MultiValue platforms.
Q: What is the difference between Visual e .NET and Microsoft's WinForms.NET ?
A: Visual e .NET uses the same controls as MS WinForms.NET. The database access is a persistent connection in Visual e .net as as apposed to a non persistent connection in MS WinForms.NET. The presentation layer is performed by the Visuale.NET Internet client, similar to the Internet Browser. No executable is created for the work station use.
Q: What Multi Value platforms are supported by Visual e .NET?
A: Universe, Unidata, D 3, mvBASE, MvEnterprise, and jBase.
Q: Can I access my Multi Value database from the Internet?
A: Yes. In technical terms, it is nothing more than a telnet connection. Persistence is maintained for both Window applications and character-based screens. In simple terms, when the tab or enter key is pressed, the data is immediately sent to the server program. This differs from web-based applications where a whole page is sent.
Q: Does Visual e’.NET's Application Developer require writing Visual Basic, C++, C#, or HTML?
A: No. All programming is done in data basic code.
Q: How does the Visual e .NET forms designer compare with Visual Basic’s forms designer?
A: Visual e’ .NET's forms or Window designer contains the controls designed for business applications. Many of the controls and objects within Visual Basic are not tailored for business applications. Visual e .NET is targeted for the business application development.
Q: Which controls does Visual e .NETsupport?
A: Data boxes, list boxes, combo boxes, buttons, radio buttons, check boxes, extensive multivalue grid handling, date calendar, and much more.
Q: Can I still use the “enter” key?
A: Either the enter or tab key can be used for navigation. This differs from Windows programs, where only the tab key can be employed. Use of the enter key for navigation was added to Visual e so that users familiar with the character-based environment would have an easy transition to Windows. It is also easier to use.
Q: Must I write data basic code for “field validation”?
A: Visual e .NET provides all the standard validation that can be set for a field. This would include numeric data only, date field, time field, validation that the data entered is the key to another file (also known as "file validation"), value validation, range validation, and more. Validation beyond this must be done in data basic.
Q: Can I direct printed output to a local Windows printer?
A: From the Multi Value database, any printer that is available to a PC running the Visual e .NET Internet Client can be used to print reports.
Q: What type of communication connections does the Visual e .NET Internet Client support?
A: Telnet (TCP/IP) and serial (RS-232C).
Q: Is Visual e .NET an Internet client product or an intranet product?
A: Visual e .NET is both. There is no difference in operation. The same responses and operation exist over the Internet and Local Area Network (Intranet.) Another term used for this type of connection over the Internet is Extranet.
Q: Is Visual e .NET Internet Client a thin client?
A: Yes. This means that the entire Windows operation is controlled by the server code. No programming code exists on the client.
Q: Can each Visual e .NET Window Form have its own menu?
A: Yes. Visual e .NET allows each server program to have its own custom menu to call other Visual e programs, character-based programs, Procs, or Windows programs.
Q: Can I just convert legacy character-based screen to Windows?
A: No. But you can salvage much of the underlying subroutines and use them in the Windows version. Furthermore, much easier presentations can be made using the Windows Form design.
Q: What type of code design is used in the server code?
A: All structured code is used. Not one GOTO exist in the code; only GOSUB logic is used. Once the basic construct of the code is learned, all programs look the same.
Q: Once I generate the code, can I make changes and generate the code again?
A: Yes. A unique method of program change control is maintained within the Application Developer so that changes are saved in a separate file and not the generated code file.
Q: How do I download data to Word or Excel?
A: Using Visual e .NET XL, the user can make a definition to identify which fields and selection criteria to use. This definition can be used again for repeated downloads and so only has to be done once.
Q: Can I display scanned images from my Multi Value server program?
A: The Visual e .NET Application Developer program provides a very easy interface for keeping track of and retrieving images for display.
Q: What scanners can be used with Visual e.NET?
A: Almost any TWAIN compatible scanner. We have found that some of the lower priced scanners do not provide all the functionality necessary for processing documents. This requires either manual intervention or manual setting of the internal functions of the scanner.
Q: Is a demo version available?
A: Normally, we perform a demonstration over the Internet. The Visual e .NET Internet Client can be used for terminal emulation within a user's own network. The evaluation of the server portion of Visual e .NETcan be done only over the Internet. So download your copy today by clicking on this line.