PxPlus Development Suite New Releases

Stay ahead of the curve with the latest application enhancements! Our ongoing updates deliver improvements in security, flexibility, and functionality. These advancements ensure your applications remain up-to-date and empower you to leverage the newest capabilities.

PxPlus 2024 (version 21.10) - Nov 2024

PxPlus 2024 Update 1 is an update release that includes the enhancements below and a number of small fixes that have been implemented since the PxPlus 2024 (version 21.00) release.

Enhancements

Enhanced IDE and Toolkit

Added support to default to "plus" charts when the %NOMADS'Chart$ property is not set

External Database Support

Added support for newer MariaDB C Connectors when using the MySQL interface
New SSLVerify option for verifying SSL/TLS certificates added to the MySQL interface

Nomads Variables

QUERY_ROW$ query variable added to contain the contents of a row in the query when used in Selection Logic or in Return Value expressions
ENTIRE_RECORD$ query variable can now be used in Selection Logic, in addition to Return Value expressions

Miscellaneous

How To Tutorials added:

PxPlus 2024 (version 21.00) - May 2024

PxPlus 2024 includes new features to keep your applications safe, secure and modern:

The Harvard Business Review reported a 20% increase in cyber security data breaches from 2022 to 2023. To protect your application and your customers' data, PxPlus 2024 is updated with the latest Security modules.
In speaking with the developer community, we learned that many developers are using Visual Studio Code in other areas of their development teams. PxPlus 2024 includes a new extension to Visual Studio Code, an industry-leading code editor that is the preferred choice for many developers.
In today's competitive environment, the look and feel of an application is equally important as the functionality. PxPlus 2024 includes modern PxPlus toolkit interfaces showcasing Dark and Light modes, and new tools to update the look of your Nomads and non-Nomads based applications.
Webster+, launched in 2021, provides developers with the optimal toolset to convert your application to browser based. PxPlus 2024 continues to enhance Webster+ with the ability to create and maintain screen library objects using a Web browser with Webster+ Inspector.
We made it even easier for you to design your application screens for NOMADS and Webster+ with the new File Maintenance Generator Enhanced Layout.

Major New Features

Updated PxPlus Security modules:
- OpenSSL 3.3.0
- Curl 8.7.1
- Plink 0.81
- Updated CA Root Certificates
Updated to the latest version of Chromium (*browser)
SSL security added to PxPlus SQL ODBC Driver and PxPlus SQL Server (Version 8.00.0000)
New PxPlus Visual Studio Code Extension: Introducing a PxPlus extension for maintaining PxPlus programs in Visual Studio Code
- With support for hundreds of languages, Visual Studio Code is a free, robust, lightning fast editor available on Windows, Linux and macOS platforms
- How to Set Up and Use the PxPlus Visual Studio Code Extension

PxPlus Visual Studio Code Extension Install Screen

Example: PxPlus Program Opened in Visual Studio Code Editor

Introducing Dark and Light mode Toolkit Themes to enhance the PxPlus Development Suite experience
- How to Set a Toolkit Theme

Dark Mode

Light Mode

Updated Themes and Visual Classes attributes and Control Properties for greater control of screen object options and colors to enhance the look of applications designed in both the NOMADS and non-NOMADS environments

New Copy Theme utility makes it easier to copy and create new Themes and Visual Classes across multiple directories
- New PxPlus Dark and Light mode Themes and Visual Classes can also be copied
- How to Copy a Theme

Copy Theme

As part of our ongoing commitment to provide more Web development capability, File Maintenance panels, Queries and Menus can now be maintained in a Web browser with Library Object Selection for Webster+

Webster+ Library Object Selection

File Maintenance Generator Enhanced Layout provides greater flexibility for creating Nomads panels and Webster+ HTML pages
- How to Use the Enhanced Layout in File Maintenance Generator

Enhanced Layout

Two-Column Layout

Enhancements

Language Changes

FRAME mnemonic enhanced with optional arguments for specifying the Frame Text, Highlight and Shadow colors

Directives

DEF ENV directive for adding, changing or deleting environment variables from the current process and any subsequent spawned process
Added HFILL, HTEXT and TEXT parameters to the MENU_BAR directive for specifying hover background color, hover text color and menu text color
Option added to the MENU_BAR directive to control colors applied to the top level menu
New "I" option added to BUTTON directive for creating a spinner button

OPTION Mnemonics

DrpBtnBackClr option for setting the background color of the Drop Box button
DrpBtnDisableBackClr option for setting the background color of the Drop Box button when the Drop Box is disabled
DrpBtnHoverBackClr option for setting the background color of the Drop Box button while hovering over it
DrpBtnHoverTickClr option for setting the color of the down arrow/tick on the Drop Box button while hovering over it
DrpBtnTickClr option for setting the color of the down arrow/tick on the Drop Box button

Note: The above options can be read using the FIN( ) function.

Parameters

'TI' system parameter controls whether the system will use the transparent PNG versions of the internal images (defaults to On) or the legacy bitmap internal images
Increased the default memory limit for the 'SZ' system parameter from 32MB to 64MB to reflect current requirements

Properties

Properties can be used to specify settings for Nomads and non-Nomads applications.

Note:

Check Box properties added:
- CbFrameColor$ property for setting the color of the check box frame only for Check Boxes with no bitmap defined
- CbHoverColor$ property for setting the color of the hover rectangle in the check box only for Check Boxes with no bitmap defined
- CbMarkColor$ property for setting the color of the check mark in the check box only for Check Boxes with no bitmap defined
Drop Box properties added:
- ButtonBackColor$ property for setting the background color of the Drop Box button
- ButtonDisableBackColor$ property for setting the background color of the Drop Box button when the control is disabled
- ButtonHoverBackColor$ property for setting the background color of the Drop Box button while hovering over it
- ButtonHoverTickColor$ property for setting the color of the down arrow/tick on the Drop Box button while hovering over it
- ButtonTickColor$ property for setting the color of the down arrow/tick on the Drop Box button
Grid properties added:
- CurrentCellTextColor$ property for setting the text color for the current cell
- ForegroundButtonColor$ property for setting the foreground text color for system-generated buttons in a Grid
- LockBackColor$ property for setting the background color when the Grid cell is locked
- LockTextColor$ property for setting the foreground text color when the Grid cell is locked
- RowHeaderBackColor$ property for setting the background color for the leading left column only of the Grid and does not affect the top row
- RowHeaderTextColor$ property for setting the text color for the leading left column only of the Grid and does not affect the top row
Multi-Line properties added:
- LockBackColor$ property for setting the background color when the Multi-Line control is locked
- LockTextColor$ property for setting the foreground text color when the Multi-Line control is locked
- Added support for DisableBackColor$, DisableTextColor$ and TextColor$ properties to Rich Text Multi-Line controls
Radio Button properties added:
- RbFrameColor$ property for setting the color of the radio button frame only for Radio buttons with no bitmap defined
- RbHoverColor$ property for setting the color of the hover circle in the radio button only for Radio buttons with no bitmap defined
- RbMarkColor$ property for setting the color of the circle in the radio button only for Radio buttons with no bitmap defined
Other Properties added (used by multiple controls):
- FrameColor$ property for setting the color of the frame/border around Drop Boxes, Variable Drop Boxes, Multi-Lines, and all List Box controls
- GrayDisabledBmp property for controlling how images will display on disabled Buttons, Check Boxes, Tri-State Check Boxes and Radio Buttons with images

Folder Objects

Folder methods GetActiveTabWidth( ) and SetActiveTabWidth(AW) for controlling the active tab for Sidebar Folders

Webster+

Enhanced the [addcalc] short code to provide the sum of a column from a List Box
[report] short code added to insert a report as HTML into the page based on the report name and optional parameters provided
Added Library Object Selection, which includes options for creating file maintenance panels, queries and menus
Added Webster+ method GetiNomadsEmbedURL$ to return a URL that will display the given iNomads URL embedded in a Webster+ page
Webster+ Queries:
- Query data can be printed to a PDF or downloaded to a .CSV file
- Column Header Tip capability

Visual Studio Code Extension

The Visual Studio Code Extension is a PxPlus extension for maintaining PxPlus programs in Visual Studio Code.

Create and edit PxPlus and PxPlus text-based programs
PxPlus syntax highlighting and error diagnostics
Document-based Auto Complete
Settings:
- Specify file extension for text-based PxPlus programs
- Manage display preferences for Lowercase Directives, Lowercase Variables, Mixed Case Variables and Suppress LET Directives

Enhanced IDE, Nomads and Toolkit

Ability to apply a PxPlus Toolkit Theme (Dark mode, Light mode) to the development toolkit in System Defaults
Ability to select a predefined PxPlus Toolkit Theme in Library Defaults, Panel Header and as the general Theme for your application
New Copy Theme utility for copying existing Themes or predefined PxPlus Themes and related Visual Classes
Visual effects Display option in System Defaults and Library Defaults will default to 4D if not previously set
Ability to assign a Visual Class to Circle, Line and Rectangle Shapes
Do Not Extend Tab Width When Active option for sidebar Folders allows the active tab width to remain the same width as inactive tabs
Dynamic Text attribute can be set that will control the text shown on the Button by using the string variable name associated with the Button
Online Help link added to the IDE menu bar for launching the PxPlus Help documentation
New Grid Presets:
- CurrentCellTextColor$ property for setting the text color for the current cell
- ForegroundButtonColor$ property for setting the foreground text color for system-generated buttons in a Grid
- LockBackColor$ property for setting the background color when the Grid cell is locked
- LockTextColor$ property for setting the foreground text color when the Grid cell is locked
- RowHeaderBackColor$ property for setting the background color for the leading left column only of the Grid and does not affect the top row
- RowHeaderTextColor$ property for setting the text color for the leading left column only of the Grid and does not affect the top row
Menu Bars and Popup Menus - Define Menu Colors enhancements:
- New Menu Color option for Text
- Option to apply a Top Menu color (Menu Bar)
- Ability to assign a Visual Class
Spinner Button option added for creating a Button control
TextColor$ property can now be set for Plus, RGraph and Google Charts
New Customize button for selecting the columns to display in the Search list box in the Library Bulk Edit and Search and File View/File Update utilities

File Maintenance Generator

Enhanced Layout added that allows rows in the panel layout to be formatted as true Full, Half, Third or Quarter Sections and maintains these sections when generating Nomads panels and Webster+ HTML pages
Layout option added for selecting either the Enhanced Layout or Two-Column Layout when defining a new file maintenance panel

Themes and Visual Classes

Use Themes and Visual Classes for defining a new look for your application, similar to the Dark and Light modes in the PxPlus Toolkit. Themes are applied to all similar controls across the application, whereas Visual Classes are used for specific controls. Copy Themes and Visual Classes by using the Copy Theme utility.

New Menu Bar and Popup Menu Control Type properties:
- Use Color on Top Level property controls the Text and Background menu colors applied to the top level of the menu bar (Not applicable for Popup Menu)
- Menu Background Color property controls the background color applied to the menu
- Menu Left Edge Color property controls the background color applied to the left edge portion of the menu
- Menu Text Color property controls the text color applied to the menu items
- Hover Background Color property controls the color used for the background when hovering over an item
- Hover Text Color property controls the color of the menu item text when the mouse hovers over it
New Shape-Circle, Shape-Line and Shape-Rectangle Control Type properties:
- Fill Pattern property controls the direction of the gradient fill or pattern (Not applicable for Shape-Line)
- Fill Color 1 property sets the starting color for the shape if a Fill Pattern is selected (Not applicable for Shape-Line)
- Fill Color 2 property sets the second color for the two-color gradient or fill pattern if a Fill Pattern is selected (Not applicable for Shape-Line)
- Pen Style property sets the pen style
- Pen Width property sets the pen width if a Pen Style is selected
- Pen Color property sets the pen color if a Pen Style is selected
- iNomads Class property is used to assign an iNomads class to the control

Button properties added:
- Gray Disabled Bitmap property defines how the control displays images when disabled (when bitmap added)
Check Box properties added:
- Check Box Frame Color property controls the color of the frame/box of the Check Box (when no bitmap added)
- Check Box Hover Color property controls the color of the hover rectangle in the Check Box when the mouse is over the control (when no bitmap added)
- Check Box Mark Color property controls the color of the check mark in the Check Box (when no bitmap added)
- Gray Disabled Bitmap property defines how the control displays images when disabled (when bitmap added)
Drop Box properties added:
- Button Background Color property controls the background color for the button on a Drop Box
- Button Hover Color property controls the background color for the button on a Drop Box while hovering
- Button Tick Color property controls the color of the down arrow/tick on the button on a Drop Box
- Button Tick Hover Color property controls the color of the down arrow/tick on the button of a Drop Box while hovering
- Disable Btn Background Color property controls the background color of the Drop Box button when the control is disabled
- Frame Color property controls the color of the frame/border around the control
Folder properties added:
- Active Tab Border Color property controls the color of the active Folder tab border on sidebar tabs
- Disable Tab Border Color property controls the color of the disabled folder tab border on sidebar tabs
- Do Not Extend Active Tab Width property allows the active tab to remain the same width as inactive tabs when using sidebar Folders
- Hover Tab Border Color property controls the color of the folder tab border on sidebar tabs while hovering
- Tab Border Color property controls the color of the folder tab border on sidebar Folders
Frame properties added:
- Hilight Color property controls the color of the highlight line for non-Text Mode frame styles
- Shadow Color property controls the color of the shadow line for non-Text Mode frame styles
Grid properties added:
- Current Cell Text Color property controls the text color for the currently selected Grid cell
- Foreground Button Color property controls the foreground text color for system-generated buttons in a Grid, including drop box buttons and query buttons
- Lock Background Color property controls the background color when the Grid cell is locked
- Lock Text Color property controls the foreground text color when the Grid cell is locked
- Row Header Background Color property sets the background color for the leading left column only and does not affect the top row
- Row Header Text Color property sets the color of the text for the leading left column only and does not affect the top row
- Row Height property can also be set to -1 to use the default row height for the Grid
List Box properties added:
- Frame Color property controls the color of the frame/border around the List Box or Variable List Box
- Lines Per Row property can also be set to -1 to use the default lines per row for the List Box
Multi-Line properties added:
- Frame Color property controls the color of the frame/border around the control
- Lock Background Color property controls the background color when the control is locked
- Lock Text Color property controls the foreground text color when the control is locked
- Spinner Button Display properties control the appearance of the spinner button:
       ▪ Spinner Arrow Color property controls the color of the chevrons in a spinner button
       ▪ Spinner Background Color property controls the color of the background of a spinner button
       ▪ Spinner Button Attributes property presents a list of display attributes for setting the appearance of the spinner button
       ▪ Spinner Hover Color property controls the color of the chevron when hovering over it in the spinner button
Radio Button properties added:
- Gray Disabled Bitmap property defines how the control displays images when disabled (when bitmap added)
- Radio Button Frame Color property controls the color of the frame/outline circle of the Radio Button (when no bitmap added)
- Radio Button Hover Color property controls the color of the hover circle in the Radio Button when the mouse is over the control (when no bitmap added)
- Radio Button Mark Color property controls the color of the circle in the Radio Button (when no bitmap added)
Tri-State Check Box properties added:
- Check Box Frame Color property controls the color of the frame/box of the Check Box (when no bitmap added)
- Check Box Hover Color property controls the color of the hover rectangle in the Check Box when the mouse is over the control (when no bitmap added)
- Check Box Mark Color property controls the color of the check mark in the Check Box (when no bitmap added)
- Gray Disabled Bitmap property defines how the control displays images when disabled (when bitmap added)
Variable Drop Box properties added:
- Button Background Color property controls the background color for the button on a Drop Box
- Button Hover Color property controls the background color for the button on a Drop Box while hovering
- Button Tick Color property controls the color of the down arrow/tick on the button on a Drop Box
- Button Tick Hover Color property controls the color of the down arrow/tick on the button of a Drop Box while hovering
- Disable Btn Background Color property controls the background color of the Drop Box button when the control is disabled
- Frame Color property controls the color of the frame/border around the control
Variable List Box properties added:
- Frame Color property controls the color of the frame/border around the control

Query Changes

Columns list for a new query will be automatically populated with the primary key(s) and the next non-key field with a length >=15 if the main file has a defined data dictionary

Security

Added support for "clickatell", "seven" and "vonage" (formerly "nexmo") SMS services to Two-Factor Authentication Setup

Utilities and Commands

*TOOLS/QRYEXPORT utility creates an export file (.csv, .slk, .txt or .xml) based on a query definition
*TOOLS/QRYPRINT utility prints a PDF report based on a query definition
OLHELP command launches the online PxPlus Help manual in a Web browser
Added support for "clickatell", "seven" and "vonage" (formerly "nexmo") SMS services to *TOOLS/SMS utility

PxPlus SQL ODBC Driver/SQL Server (Version 8.00.0000)

SSL security added to PxPlus SQL ODBC Driver and PxPlus SQL Server
Added a Browse button beside appropriate input fields for easier file or directory selection

PxServer

Added a Browse button beside appropriate input fields for easier file or directory selection

Other Changes for Reference

Nomads Properties

%NOMADS'Menu_Text_Clr$ sets the default text color for menu items
%NOMADS'Menu_Top_Option$ controls whether the text and background menu colors will be applied to the top level of the menu bar as the default

PxPlus 2023 (version 20.00) - May 2023

PxPlus 2023 consists of various new features and enhancements, including importing tables from External Databases, Two-Factor Authentication security, new Webster+ and File Maintenance Generator features, IDE Projects enhancements, updated PxPlus security with support for OpenSSL 3.1.0, and much more.

Major New Features

Improved overall application security by adding Two-Factor Authentication that can be used with either SMS or email in both Nomads and iNomads. This now matches the capabilities already available in Webster+.
New capabilities in Webster+ include support for Tree Views, List Box pagination, and Chart drill down. The ability to share common security files with Nomads and iNomads has also been added, allowing users access to both Webster+ and iNomads applications from a single logon.
Simplified database access for ODBC, MySql, Oracle, ADO and DB2 with the ability to directly create and maintain file prefixes and link files.
Integrate PxPlus with non-PxPlus databases using various new tools and utilities designed to import and maintain links to external databases. Many of these new tools will also work on native PxPlus data files, making Data Dictionary maintenance easier than ever before.
The IDE has been enhanced to better handle projects and associated control files. In addition, it is now easier to use the IDE over the Web, via any Internet browser or iNomads. Non-Windows development shops can now also use the IDE.
Wiki pages can now be created dynamically for both your Nomads and Webster+ pages from information stored in the PxPlus Data Dictionary. This new feature makes it easy to generate and provide consistent online documentation for applications with a minimum amount of effort.
The Remote Process server has had a major overhaul so that it can now be used to provide background access to workstation devices and resources. This is key in the development of Web-based applications where local access is needed.

PxPlus 2023 Enhancements

Language Changes

Added PrintToPDF method to the Chromium Browser Object *BROWSER to save the current contents of the browser as a PDF file
Enhanced the shutdown tool tip message in the system tray for EZWeb, Simple Client Server and NTHost
Ability to troubleshoot connection problems with PxPlus SQL Server by displaying an Info Page from a Web browser
Added Apache-style Access Log capability to EZWeb

Directives

DUMP DISABLE directive for specifying variables that are not to be displayed during a dump operation

OPTION Mnemonics

ClrPlusZ_SB_Back option for setting the background color for any 'SB' data
ClrPlusZ_SF_Back option for setting the background color for any 'SF' data
ClrPlusZ_Text option for setting the text color
DateFmt option for changing/setting the Date format to be used on the specified channel open to an ODB, MySql, OCI, DB2 or ADO database connection

Note: The above options can be read using the FIN function.

Objects

Added support for a self-hosted oAuth2 Agent to the *OBJ/OAUTH2 object
Two-Factor Authentication properties and methods added to the *SECURE object
SetNumFormat method added to the Excel Object to set the number format for a range of cells in a worksheet
SetNumFormat method added to the Google Sheets Object to set the number format for a range of cells in a sheet
NoChartDots property added to *OBJ/CHART to suppress the small dots that mark the data points on Area and Line charts

Enhanced IDE, Nomads, iNomads and Toolkit

New option for saving Library Object Selection list box sort settings added to Library Defaults
Added letter case support to Object Names when defining new objects in Nomads
Copy Screen Objects utility can be used to change the letter case for existing objects
Panel information can be displayed using the PxPlus Wiki by selecting the Wiki Info menu option in all screen designers
Ability to identify that an Online Update is available for download via the *Update* item on the IDE menu bar
Ability to specify Ed+ as the default Program Editor that Nomads and IDE History/Projects will use when editing PxPlus programs
File Maintenance panels can be opened from the IDE History and Project lists
Control Type added to Tab Order Definition to help identify controls
Notes for individual controls and embedded panels are now available in all screen designers
Wiki Help option added to the panel header to generate Help documentation directly from the panel and display it in the PxPlus Wiki
HTML Named Colors support added to the Color Selections window for enhanced color selection

Projects Enhancements

Project Settings are now saved outside of PxPlus and will survive updates to future PxPlus releases (previously created projects are not carried forward)
IDE, Nomads and Editors Settings are now saved by project
Header color can be added to projects for easier identification
Project settings can be Copied to Another Project
Project Maintenance, which is used to add project tasks, can be accessed from the IDE Projects menu
Project Name is now displayed in all screen designers

File Maintenance Generator

Button Bar objects can be defined for adding multiple buttons (standard, hyperlink, drop list) horizontally to Nomads panels and HTML pages
Maintain Additional Buttons enhancements:
- Copy button for creating new additional buttons by copying existing ones
- Remove All Buttons button for deleting all additional buttons on the panel
New Height default for Button objects that are added to Nomads panels and HTML pages
Data dictionary fields added as Hidden Variables are displayed in gray text in the Fields list box as a visual cue only
Hidden Variable Options can be defined for a hidden variable to enter an initial value or an HTML calculation
Added visual cues (cell ticks) to the panel Layout Grid to easily identify fields that have an HTML Event, an HTML Calculation or both
Screen Designer button added for opening regenerated file maintenance panels in the Nomads Panel Designer

Webster+

New graphical front-end Webster+ Install is accessible from the IDE
New Statistics page available for system administrators that displays error dumps and various statistics (failed logons, password changes, new users, etc.) about running the Webster+ server
Added Embed option for Menus and Sidebar Links that presents the Web page inside a Webster+ template
Added support to the [Image/Picture] short code to return both the click location and image size into the _changed$ variable
New Webster+ Setup option added to the Security tab:
- Use Nomads Security File option allows Webster+ to share the user registration files with Nomads
New Webster+ Setup options added to the Misc. tab:
- File Maint to Use Message Box option controls whether messages will use message boxes or option boxes
- iNomads URL/Port option to specify the URL or port number for Using iNomads with Webster+
- Save Error Dumps option allows error dumps to be saved in the data/dump directory
- Error Dump Email Notification option to enter an email address to send a notification to when an error dump occurs
- New User Email Notification option to enter an email address to send a notification to when a new user creates an account
New Webster+ Methods:
- Update(listboxname$) method updates the contents of a List Box
- Update(channelNumber) method updates the contents of a Tree View or Grid
New Webster+ Short Codes and Short Code Options:
- Tree short code for adding Tree Views
- Maxwidth/Minwidth options to specify the maximum and minimum size of a section
- Pagerows option to add paginated output for a List Box to reduce the amount of data being loaded at one time
New Webster+ Classes for Tree View lists:
- Cbx class adds check boxes in front of all tree view elements to allow items to be selected
- Lines class draws lines to connect items in the various levels
- Button class replaces level markers with buttons that can be toggled to open/close the level
New Webster+ Special Event:
- *drill event can be applied to a [chart] short code for the purposes of providing a drill down on the set/point selected/clicked by the user

iNomads Configuration

Added the "iquery" iNomads Class that is automatically set by the system to indicate a query lookup panel

*IT - Integrated Toolkit

Expanded the Run menu to include options for launching HTML Editor and Report Designer
Ability to Open Non-Program Files such as a PxPlus data file, a report definition file (*.pvr) or an HTML file
Save Settings option is set to On by default to always save Options settings to the project-related files

Ed+ Program Editor

Updated to Version 1.5.0 of Ace Editor
Enhanced existing File, Edit, Tools and Help menus with options that are also common to *IT
Added Run, Version Control and Project menus to match *IT
Ability to Open Non-Program Files such as a PxPlus data file, a report definition file (*.pvr) or an HTML file
New .ini file used to save settings
Added panel persistence to remember the size and location of a window
Added keyboard shortcuts to commonly used functions on the Edit and Tools menus
Added Autocomplete option to the Edit menu for on-demand usage
Additions to Web Editor Preferences window:
- Live Autocomplete option for setting Autocomplete as a default without the need to invoke it on demand
- Font Size option for setting a font size when working with the editor
- Insert Tabs as Spaces option for inserting tabs as spaces instead of tabs
- Default Tab Stops setting changed from 5 to 6 to match *IT

HTML Editor

Added Open, Save and New Page buttons to the Tool Bar
Added panel persistence to remember the size and location of a window
New .ini file used to save settings

Themes and Visual Classes

Query Button Options added for multi-lines to define the attributes of query buttons

Data Dictionary

New Data Dictionary Maintenance utilities:
- Database Import utility for importing multiple table definitions to the data dictionary and creating database link or prefix files or PxPlus native files from an External Database (ODB, MySql, OCI, DB2 and ADO)
- Bulk Database Export utility for exporting multiple table definitions, loading table data from PxPlus native files into an external database, and creating database link or prefix files (ODB, MySql, OCI, DB2 and ADO)
- Bulk Edit Data Elements utility for applying bulk changes to data elements in multiple selected tables in the data dictionary
- Update Physical Files utility for updating/creating physical files for multi-selected PxPlus native files
- Database Export utility enhancements (formerly Database Conversion utility):
       ▪ Bulk Export button for launching the Bulk Database Export utility
       ▪ Update Link File button for updating/creating database Link Files
       ▪ Confirmations added to the Create Table and Load Table buttons to check for existing database tables
Additional Data Dictionary Maintenance enhancements:
- File Type added to indicate whether the selected file is a PxPlus native file or a database link or prefix file
- DB Null if Empty option added to Element definition to allow a null value to be returned when interacting with a database link or prefix file
- Ability to view data in a database link or prefix file using the Data tool bar button in Data Dictionary Maintenance
- Data dictionary file information can be displayed using the PxPlus Wiki by selecting the Wiki Info menu option
- Ability to change the order of alternate keys in the Key Definition dialog
- Table descriptions added to the Lookup Tables Names dialog
File Link Maintenance additions:
- File Links Express utility for quickly creating new cross-reference file links to other files in the data dictionary
- Generate a KEY=F1$:F2$ Expression check box added to the key builder utility for generating a multi-segment key expression when defining a data file link

Data Class Definition

Added Last Class Change date and time stamp that is automatically updated when a data class definition is changed
Added support to allow numeric keys for Multi-Line data class extended validation

Views

Generate a KEY=F1$:F2$ Expression check box added to the key builder utility for generating a multi-segment key expression when defining a data source relationship link

Query Changes

Generate a KEY=F1$:F2$ Expression check box added to the key builder utility for generating a multi-segment key expression when defining a query file link
Continue While option added to Query Selection Definition for stopping a query from processing based on entered criteria
Find Text input field will be populated with the value passed to a query at run time to help with finding a matching record

Report Writer

New Option to inherit cell attributes (font, color, alignment, etc.) from the column on the left when inserting a new column
Dynamic Filters enhancements:
- Added Is Any of: ?|?|?|… filter condition that allows the entry of multiple values separated by the | (pipe) character or the selection of Multiple Values from a list
- Ability to select a value for a filter condition from a query list

Security

Two-Factor Authentication security can be set up to require users to verify their identity through their email and/or SMS message accounts:
- Ability to set up an Email Server and/or SMS Text Message Server for sending authentication codes
- Ability to Define by User whether to turn authentication on/off or when signing on to new/expired devices
- Option to specify Authentication Duration interval in minutes, hours or days
- Users can be verified during logon via an Authentication Code sent to email, SMS text message or both
- New Password Toggle to hide/show the entered password

Remote Process Server

Added support for workstations to run the Remote Process Server to have access to local files and devices

Utilities and Commands

*TOOLS/UTCOFFSET utility added to get the UTC offset for the local time zone for a given date
*TOOLS/SYSTEMANALYSIS utility enhanced with additional permission checks on all Library sub-directories
Added Key definition information to the File View utility to identify keys more easily when searching records

PxPlus SQL ODBC Driver

Updated to Version 7.10
Supports accessing the PxPlus SQL Server from a Web browser to verify that it is running and get information about the server

Other Changes for Reference

Nomads Properties

%NOMADS'AutoLogon controls if the security system will automatically log on a Windows user based on his/her Windows User ID
%NOMADS'WikiUrl$ sets the URL to be used with the Nomads Wiki
%NOMADS'Program_Editor sets the default program editor that Nomads will launch when opening and editing PxPlus programs

Nomads Variables

QRY_REC_COUNT query variable returns the number of records successfully selected at the point it is accessed

Parameters

'*E' system parameter added to force a + sign after E when converting a string that contains a numeric in scientific notation

Properties

Added "I" option to the FindOptions$ property to include a bitmap name when searching in a report view list box
Password property is now a read/write property to allow a multi-line to be a Password field

Environment Variables

PVX_UTF8 can be set to establish whether PxPlus will run in UTF-8 compatibility mode

PxPlus 2022 (version 19.00) - May 2022

PxPlus 2022 consists of various new features and enhancements, including Webster+, File Maintenance Generator and Report Writer enhancements, updated PxPlus security with OpenSSL 3.0.2 and much more.

Major New Features

Added OpenSSL 3.0.2 support
Enhanced Webster+
Enhanced File Maintenance Generator to support new Webster+ enhancements
Updated the Chromium Browser Object to use the latest Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) library
Ability to define File Access Web services to simplify the creation of REST-based URL-style read and write requests for accessing files
New PxPlus System Analysis utility to analyze and troubleshoot a PxPlus installation and setup
New PxPlus Wiki to maintain application documentation

PxPlus 2022 Enhancements

Language Changes

Usability enhancements for adding Watch Variables and Break Points when using PxPlus Debugging Environment
Ability to identify in the launch message and the system tray when EZWeb Server is running in Secure mode
Enhanced Chromium Browser Object to display a warning page which users can choose to ignore if loading a Web page with a certificate error
Ability to specify the maximum file size that the PxPlus Log File can attain when defining the Log File
Added the ability to use HTML Named Colors
Improved the CLIP system command to clip from the current program level instead of program level one

OPTION Mnemonics

Ability to specify the maximum file size that the PxPlus Log File can attain when defining the LogFile

Note: The above option can be read using the FIN function.

Enhanced IDE, Nomads, iNomads and Toolkit

New Secure fields added to the IDE EZWeb Server launcher
- SSL Certificate field to specify the PEM or PFX file containing server certificate information
- Certificate Key field to specify the PEM file containing the certificate private key
- PFX Password field to enter the PFX certificate password
Enhanced capability for setting Folder tabs State colors by using %Nomads properties, Themes and Visual Classes
Ability to Choose an Initial Sort Column when using a Smart List Box or Smart Grid
Added Calendar Definition to the Utilities menu in both Library Object Selection and Nomads Session Manager
Ability to assign a bitmap when the Text property for a Button, Check Box and Radio Button is defined as fixed, expression or message library reference

File Maintenance Generator

Ability to create Non-File Maintenance Forms for generating dashboard-like NOMADS panels and HTML pages
Ability to define Additional Buttons (standard, hyperlink, drop list) to be placed before and/or after Browse and Action buttons
Ability to enter Panel Notes
Ability to add:
- Input Fields to NOMADS panels and HTML pages
- HTML Calculations to Data Dictionary elements on HTML pages
- Data Dictionary elements or additional variables as Hidden Fields for use in calculations on HTML pages
- Grids to HTML pages
- Drop List Type Button objects
- Text Fields to NOMADS panels and HTML pages
Ability to add HTML Events to:
- Data Dictionary elements
- Smart List Boxes
- Smart Charts
- Images
- Input Fields
- Text Fields
Ability to change the HTML Section Size using the right click menu in the Layout Grid
Ability to add Half Horizontal Lines to NOMADS panels and HTML pages

Webster+

Webster+ Inspector changes
- Added New Text button for creating different types of text files
- Ability to View Text Files, Data Files, PDFs
- Ability to view File Information (data dictionary, data classes, etc.) for a selected data file via the PxPlus Wiki
Added support to allow the use of certain PxPlus functions in Webster+ Calculations
Added a PxPlus Wiki for maintaining your application documentation
New Webster+ Setup options added to the Misc. tab
- Wiki Subsystem Enabled option to allow the system to check for Wiki documentation on the pages in the system
- Wiki Link Text option to enter the HTML text to display when Wiki documentation is available or can be added to the system
- Dynamic Wiki Creation option to allow the system to dynamically create basic Wiki documentation on-the-fly for the pages displayed
- Google Maps APIKey option to enter an API Key obtained from Google
- Enable MSGBOX directive option to allow the application to issue MSGBOX directives for display on the server console
New Webster+ Methods
- AddRow method used to add a row to a Grid
- ChgRow method used to update an existing row in a Grid
- DelRow method used to delete an existing row in a Grid
- OptionBox method used to update a named infobox with message text followed by up to five options from which the user can select
- PopInput method used to provide an enhanced MsgBox that will prompt for input
Ability to create Drag/Drop Lists
New Webster+ Short Codes and Short Code Options
- Dragitem/Dropitem short codes that can be used interchangeably to define the items in a drag/drop list
- Draglist/Droplist short codes that can be used interchangeably to insert a box containing items that can be dragged/dropped to another drag/drop list or rearranged within the box itself
- Map short code for inserting a Google map directly into the HTML page
- Dataclass option that is used on the [input] short code to look up input characteristics based on the specified data class
- Dropmenu option that adds a drop arrow on the right edge of a button to launch the specified menu
- Dropon option that is specified on a drag/drop list and defines a comma-separated list of drag/drop lists into which its items can be dropped
- Itemclass option that defines the HTML class (CSS) to be applied to each of the items in a drag/drop list
- Key option that allows specification of the Google Map API key alignment
- Static option that is used on the [map] short code to indicate that the map is to display as a fixed image
- Symbol option that is used to declare the symbol to appear in front of the text for a drag/drop item
- Zoom option that defines the zoom factor for a [map] short code
New Webster+ Classes for drag/drop lists
- Candelete class used to indicate that all items in the list are to have a small "x" on the right edge for deleting the item when clicked
- Fullline class used to indicate that all items in the list are to occupy the full line in the list, not just the width of the contents
- Square class used to indicate that all items in the list are to be drawn with square corners
New Webster+ no_newline class that can be used on a [button] short code to suppress the new line that generally follows the button
New Webster+ Events
- Addto event that can be applied to an [input] short code to indicate that the input value changed by the user will be added as a new item to the drag/drop list
- Map event that can be added to a button to display a popup window with a Google Map for the address provided
New Webster+ Queries
- Calculator query to display a calculator keypad
- Google Map query to display a Google map for a specified address
- Open File query to display an open file selection dialog
Added support for setting up Webster+ using an IIS Server

iNomads

Enhanced iNomads calendar logic to support multiple date formats
Added a new default Image size when using an iNomads popup
Added the ability to use HTML Named Colors

Themes and Visual Classes

Added text Alignment and Word Wrap capability for Buttons, Check Boxes and Radio Buttons
Added Colors (States) properties for Folders
Added Disable Background Color and Disable Text Color properties for Drop Boxes, List Boxes, Multi-Lines, Variable Drop Boxes and Variable List Boxes

Data Dictionary

Enhanced the entry of Notes associated with a selected data element
Updated the GetIndexDescription$( ) method in database/PVXDb objects to show columns in descending order by appending "/d"

Data Class Definition

Added the ability to enter Notes associated with a Data Class definition

Views

Added support for one to many relationships in the *VIEW* interface

Query Changes

Ability to Choose an Initial Sort Column when the query is initially loaded
Added support for Arrays in the Query definition

Report Writer

New Post Report Logic option to specify a program or logic to invoke when a report is completed
New Suppress Post Report Logic option to suppress execution of defined Post Report Logic while previewing or printing the report within the Report Designer
Ability to define Dynamic Run-Time Filters by specifying the data elements that users can choose from to filter a report at run time
Ability to specify the Destination Pathname for the output file of a report
Ability to generate multiple individual reports based on data Groups within a report
Ability to Force a New Page within a Detail line group
New Ignore Class Validations option in Report Parameters to allow a value to be entered at run time that would not pass validation (e.g. Start/End value ranges)

PxIO Library and PxServer

Upgraded to OpenSSL 3.0.2

Utilities and Commands

*MAP utility that uses the Google Maps interface to display a popup window on the screen with the address specified
*TOOLS/REGEXSUB utility to perform regular expression substitution similar to Apache RedirectMatch
*TOOLS/HOSTTEST utility to test your system to confirm that WindX can spawn a subordinate task using the *plus/cs/spawn (*plus/spawn) utility
*TOOLS/CHARTIMAGE utility enhanced to retrieve Chart Definition
*TOOLS/SMS utility enhanced to allow SMS service name to be case insensitive

Other Changes for Reference

Nomads Properties

%NOMADS'Disable_Folder_Colors$ sets the default color(s) of a disabled folder tab
%NOMADS'Disable_Folder_TextClr$ sets the color of the text displayed in the tab of a disabled folder
%NOMADS'Hover_Folder_Colors$ sets the default hover color(s) of a folder tab
%NOMADS'Hover_Folder_TextClr$ sets the hover color of the text displayed in a folder tab
%NOMADS'Tab_Folder_Colors$ sets the default color(s) of a normal folder tab
%NOMADS'Tab_Folder_TextClr$ sets the color of the text displayed in a normal folder tab

Properties

CertErrExceptions$ property added to Chromium Browser Object to Get/Set a list of servers where certificate errors are ignored

INI Contents Options

Ability to specify the maximum file size that the PxPlus Log File can attain when defining the LogFile

Environment Variables

Ability to specify the maximum file size that the PxPlus Log File can attain when defining PXP_LOGFILE
Added PXP_WEB_BSZ for setting a larger TCP block size (BSZ) value that will allow PxPlus Web Server to handle larger responses

PxPlus 2021 (version 18.00) - May 2021

PxPlus 2021 consists of various new features and enhancements, including a new REST-based Webster+ toolset, new PxPlus Google Workspace® Objects, File Maintenance Generator enhancements and much more.

Major New Features

Webster+ for HTML page generation
Support for larger screens with more controls
Added named parameters to CALL, PERFORM and Methods
Enhanced Array management
New PxPlus Objects for working with Google Workspace® cloud-based applications Drive, Docs and Sheets
Improved File Maintenance Generator, including support for Webster+ HTML page generation
Improved support for ADA (USA)/WCAG (Canada) compliance

PxPlus 2021 Enhancements

Language Changes

Method Calls enhanced to provide named parameters to CALL and PERFORM directives
Ability to include images in the PLUSLIB DLL Library
ZOOM option added to WDW command that will attempt to adjust the font size to fill the primary window as opposed to changing the number of lines and columns
PxPlus.Script added that allows external applications to directly invoke and interact with PxPlus and PxPlus objects for Windows 32-bit and 64-bit versions
*BROWSER changes
- Unused key events are now passed to the PxPlus window when being used in HTML Editor, Ed+, etc.
- *BROWSER Debug mode that allows the browser developer console to display in a popup window for any *BROWSER controls that are created
- DragDrop property that supports Get/Set whether the browser allows drag and drop into the browser control or popup windows

Directives

REMOVE option added to subscript declaration to remove identified entry of single dimension arrays after use (typically dynamic arrays)
REDIM INSERT directive to insert either a single element at the specified index or a range of elements
REDIM DELETE directive to delete the specified index or range of indices
WITH variable=expression option added to CALL and PERFORM directives to specify a variable that will be initialized with the value from the expression prior execution of the called program
ACCEPT UNDEFINED option added for the DEF CLASS directive to indicate undefined properties should return a null string or zero
MENU_BAR and POPUP_MENU directives allow the inclusion of the special characters used to define the menu

OPTION Mnemonics

BrowserDebug option for setting debug mode that will display the browser developer console in a popup window
StdGridQueryImg option for defining the image to use in the query/lookup buttons of a grid
TipColor option for defining the color for non-HTML tips

Note: The above options can be read using the FIN function.

Mnemonics

FRAME mnemonic now supports the ability to change frame text color when using '4D' mode

Functions

CVS function supports new "LINK" and "URL?" formats
NUM function converts scientific notation either with or without the + after the E (i.e. 0.2E10 = 0.2E+10)
LNO function allows referencing lines based on a supplied string value
Added ::name option to the TCB(WINDOW) function to provide the ability to access information for window attributes

Data Sources and Views

Usability enhancements for Data Source Definition Wizard
Ability to add Calculated Fields to Views

Objects

New Google Workspace® objects
- GoogleAuth object to authorize the Google WorkspaceÂ® objects
- GoogleDrive object to work with Google WorkspaceÂ® Drive
- GoogleDocs object to work with Google WorkspaceÂ® Docs
- GoogleSheets object to work with Google WorkspaceÂ® Sheets
*OBJ/ARRAYLIST object to create and work with an array list
REST Interface Example Objects to PayPalÂ® and SalesforceÂ® that can be used to build a complete interface for your own application
IsReadOnly data element option added to Data Dictionary object PVXDb
Improved setting of font styles in *OBJ/EXCEL and *OBJ/WORD

Enhanced IDE, Nomads, iNomads and Toolkit

Increased panel and control sizes to a width of 620 and height of 255 in all designers
Ability to fully maximize panel sizes
Increased the Maximum Number of Controls on a simple panel from 200 to 999 interactive controls
Create New Project button added beside IDE Project drop box
Ability to launch HTML pages in HTML Editor from the IDE History and Project list boxes
Library Object Selection changes
- Webster+ menu added for defining settings for generating HTML pages
- Panel objects with HTML pages are designated as Type "Dh"
- Selecting a File Maintenance panel object launches File Maintenance Generator
- Preview HTML Page option added to the right click menu
- Updated validation rules when creating new panels
Copy Screen Objects utility changes in Library Object Selection
- Ability to specify different input libraries
- New Select Objects dialog for selecting other panels to copy
- Ability to create new output library with SVN Version Control System support
- New Apply button allows consecutive copy operations and changes to input/output libraries without exiting
- Enhanced Copy progress bar
Suppress Groups utility added to help with panel design when multiple groups are used in all designers
Usability enhancements for User Defined CTL Values utility
Webster+ property and Focus method added to TinyMCEÂ® Editor COM control
Support for applying Multi-Line Data Class height/width attributes to a Multi-Line control in all designers
iNomads Alt Text property added to Image controls for ADA (USA)/WCAG (Canada) compliance in all designers
Embedded panel control changes for all designers
- Display/Edit the contents of the panel that is being embedded as a control
- Refresh the list of controls on the embedded panel
Clear Control when all Triggers are Null option added to Smart Controls and Smart Charts
Ability to set Frame Text Color when using 4D mode
Support for applying the Read-Only (locked) attribute when adding a Data Dictionary element control to a panel
Support for applying the Read-Only attribute for Data Dictionary elements to columns in a Smart Grid
Updated validation rules when creating new folder panels in all designers

File Maintenance Generator

Form Types option added for creating a Nomads panel, an HTML page or both
Ability to Preview HTML Page
Ability to define the Webster+ Preview URL for previewing HTML pages
Ability to specify an Optional HTML Interface Program to allow additional logic to be performed for HTML pages
Ability to optionally Include HTML Page
Ability to add Smart List Boxes, Smart Charts and Images to a Nomads panel or HTML page
- Define Height and Width options
- Add a Visual Class to Smart List Boxes and Smart Charts
- Name each Smart List Box, Smart Chart and Image
Ability to add Embedded Panel or HTML Short Codes to the Layout Grid to embed specific elements on a panel
Ability to add a Hyperlink to a data element prompt to link to a maintenance/inquiry panel
Added an Info Line to provide details about a selected cell in the Layout Grid or a selected field in the Fields list box
Added Folder Options for folder height and tab position for HTML pages
Ability to Rename folder panels
Ability to Move Key Fields of a table to any row on the Main panel in the Layout Grid
Ability to combine both an Extended Class Validation descriptive SHOW.xxxx field and its related field into one cell to allow another field to occupy the adjacent cell
Ability to use the Delete key to remove the contents of a selected cell in the Layout Grid
Section Size option added to the Layout Grid for setting the width of HTML sections
Section Break options for HTML pages added to the Layout Grid to control placement of sections when panels are resized
Clear All Cells option added to the Layout Grid for clearing the contents of all cells
Lock/Unlock option added to the Layout Grid for locking/unlocking a data dictionary field
Cut Cell/Paste Cell(s) options added to the Layout Grid for cutting/pasting cells between panels
Support for Read Only fields and Floating Tips from the Data Dictionary

HTML Editor

File menu option added for displaying a list of recently opened files
Support for updating SVN Version Control System when Saving HTML File to a source SVN directory
Ability to Preview HTML Page
Ability to define Webster+ Preview URL
Ability to insert Webster+ Short Codes into an HTML document
Support for saving changes to the current file prior to loading a new page, opening an existing file or exiting
Support for adding HTML page updates to IDE History
Support for creating Projects and adding HTML files to projects
Updated TinyMCEÂ® to version 5.5.1

Ed+ Program Editor

Improved syntax highlighting for PxPlus programs

iNomads

Support for ADA (USA) or WCAG (Canada) Compliance

Themes and Visual Classes

New Suppress Header property for Grids to suppress Grid headers
New Button Color property for Grids to control background color for system-generated buttons in a Grid, including Drop Box buttons and Query buttons

Data Dictionary

Ability to Export and Import Data Dictionary definitions
Ability to add Floating Tips to Data Dictionary elements
Read Only attribute added for Data Dictionary elements
Notes input control added to the Info panel
Last File Change and Last Physical Update display-only fields added to the Main panel
Support for updating Uppercase data dictionary element based on Data Class attribute
Delete button added to Data Dictionary Key Definition for removing a key
Data Dictionary physical update no longer locks a file if only the internal dictionary needs updating and no conversion is required
Faster loading of the data elements grid
Search Grid option added on the Elements panel to quickly find a field name in the data elements grid

Data Class Definition

New Width and Height properties for Multi-Line Data Classes
New Display Format property and Query Button options for Drop Box Data Classes

Query Changes

Query Drop Tree view added to Query+
Row Display Options added to Query+ to assign visual attributes to rows based on specified conditions
Ability to change Font in Query+
Ability to Suppress Records in Query+ based on duplicate return values
Updated functionality for how the default title name for a Query is derived
Ability to Pass External Data to a Query
- %QRY_VARDATA$ can be loaded with the data for the variables in REC( ) format
- %QRY_VARIOL$ can be loaded with a compiled IOList containing names of the variables to hold external data
- _VAR. aliases added for variables passed to the *winlist logic for creating selection criteria tests

Query Security

Three different levels of Query Security added
- Top level determines whether Query will display
- Second level is at the Query File Link level
- Third level is at the Column level (i.e. elements and formulas)
Security options added for Query+ and Classic Query in Query Definition, Query File Link, Column Options and Query Formula Definition

*QUERY*

SEQPFX=Y option added that will prefix the key with a 10-digit sequence number to guarantee unique keys and no data loss
KNO=* option added that will use the key specified in the Query definition

Report Writer

Line Advancement options added that allow two consecutive lines to print at the same vertical location when grouping report data
Check mark support added to menu items to clearly indicate selected options

Web Services

OAuth2 Security added to PxPlus Web Services

PxPlus Web Server

New %Exit_Include_HTML variable that, when set along with %exit_code, tells Web Server that the output sent to %PRINT_FN should be returned to the browser

Utilities and Commands

*TOOLS/CONVERTHTMLCOLOR utility to convert HTML color names into Hex colors
*TOOLS/PRINTHTML utility to convert HTML input into formatted text output on the given open channel
*TOOLS/READFILE utility to read the entire binary contents of a file and return the data in the output string
Added options to *TOOLS/CONVERTDATA utility to allow non-exclusive access to the data files if exclusive access is not available
Ability to Add HTML Pages to projects using Project Maintenance
Updated Zip Code Library Miniz to version 2.1.0 that allows creation of Zip files greater than 2GB and ZIP64 support for Zip files greater than 4GB
Updated *plus/web/request utility to use HTTP version 1.1 protocol to make Web requests and receive responses
Enhanced Data Mirroring Apply program to check for Apply.Stop file every 100 transactions to allow the Apply process to be stopped
Added Query button to Key Value in File View and File Update utilities
Support for Read-Only (locked) flag added to View Embedded Dictionary utility

Other Changes for Reference

Nomads Properties

Option 5 (for Drop Tree) added to %NOMADS'Query_View

Parameters

'!E' system parameter added to cause the ESCAPE directive to generate an internal MSGBOX on Windows
Option -3 added to 'TC' system parameter to use the TipColor setting for non-HTML tips
'SB' system parameter now set to On by default to check if the record is locked (EXTRACTED) on another channel

INI Contents Options

BrowserDebug to control whether or not the browser developer console will display in a popup window
TipColor to define the color for non-HTML tips

Version Control System

Ability to delete a list of files
SVN Version Control System allows Updating of busy data and resource files