PxPlus Development Suite New Releases

PxPlus 2025 (version 22) - May 2025

PxPlus 2025 includes new features for added security and introduces feature-rich enhancements to bring enhanced performance and flexibility to your applications:

• Updated PxPlus Security modules:
• OpenSSL 3.5.0
• Curl 8.13.0
• Plink 0.83
• Updated CA Root Certificates
  
  
• Updated the version of Chromium (*Browser)
  
  
• Updated PxPlus SQL ODBC Driver and PxPlus SQL Server (Version 8.10.0000) to use the latest OpenSSL 3.5.0
  
  
• Added support for OAuth2 authorization to the SMTP and Web Email utilities to enforce stricter security
  
  
• New .NET Interface facilitates the seamless integration of .NET objects into applications, ensuring the same level of usability and consistency as native PxPlus objects
• How to Create a .NET Button (Program)
• How to Create a .NET Calendar Control (Program)

• New .NET External Controls for embedding .NET objects into NOMADS panels
• How to Create a .NET Button (NOMADS)
• How to Create a .NET Calendar Control (NOMADS)

How to Display a Date in a PxPlus Multi-Line from a NOMADS .NET Calendar

• New JSON Object interface
• How to Work with the PxPlus JSON Object
  
  
• Enhanced capability to convert JSON to XML and XML to JSON using updated objects
• How to Convert JSON to XML Using the XML Object
• How to Convert XML to JSON
  
  
• Visually enhanced Progress Bar with customizable styling options

• How to Customize the PxPlus Progress Bar
  
  

• As part of our ongoing commitment to expand Web development activities, a new Create Base Webster+ Page(s) utility has been introduced to create base Webster+ HTML pages from NOMADS panels as a starting point
  
  

• In keeping with our continued focus to modernize the PxPlus toolkit and your applications for both NOMADS and non-NOMADS, new control properties have been added for enhancing the user experience

• We updated the PxPlus Visual Studio Code Extension (Version 1.0.1) to support running on UNIX/Linux platforms
  
  
• WindX performance improvements

Language Changes

• Updated the PxPlus build environment to the latest version (Visual Studio 2022) to take advantage of the latest compiler optimizations

Directives

• Enhanced the DUMP DISABLE directive to accept a pattern string, providing greater control of the variables that can be excluded from the dump
• .NET support added to the DEF OBJECT directive
• Added the ability to pass Arguments to the DEF OBJECT directive for .NET objects
• .NET support added to the ON EVENT directive

Properties

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

Note: To use the new properties, 4D mode is required.

• Check Box properties added
• CbDisableFrameColor$: Sets the color of the disabled Check Box frame only for standard Check Boxes (with no bitmap added)
• CbDisableMarkColor$: Sets the color of the check mark or X in the disabled Check Box only for standard Check Boxes (with no bitmap added)
  
  
• Grid properties added
• CbMarkColor$: Sets the color of the check mark or X in the Check Box
• HdrLineColor$: Sets the color of the border lines drawn between columns when the 'ExcelStyle property is set for the top row only of the Grid (does not affect the leading left column)
• LockButtonColor$: Sets the background color for locked system-generated buttons in a Grid, including Drop Box buttons and Query buttons
• LockForegroundButtonColor$: Sets the foreground text color for locked system-generated buttons in a Grid, including Drop Box buttons and Query buttons
• RowHeaderLineColor$: Sets the color of the border lines drawn between rows when the 'ExcelStyle property is set for the leading left column only of the Grid (does not affect the top row)
  
  
• Radio Button properties added
• RbDisableFrameColor$: Sets the color of the disabled Radio Button frame only for standard Radio Buttons (with no bitmap added)
• RbDisableMarkColor$: Sets the color of the circle in the disabled Radio Button only for standard Radio Buttons (with no bitmap added)
  
  
• Existing properties enhanced to support additional controls
• ActiveBackColor$: Can now be used for standard Check Boxes and Radio Buttons (with no bitmap added)
• DisableBackColor$: Can now be used for disabled standard Check Boxes and Radio Buttons (with no bitmap added)
• HoverBackColor$, HoverBorderColor$, HoverTextColor$: These properties can now be used for standard Check Boxes and Radio Buttons (with no bitmap added), Drop Boxes, Variable Drop Boxes, Multi-Lines and RTF Multi-Lines

Objects

• Array List Object now supports the ability to append and insert an array list to another array list
• Added Microsoft Service type to the OAuth2 object

JSON and XML Objects

• New JSON Object provides a faster, more structured and efficient way to handle JSON data than associative arrays, offering a richer set of functions and methods for manipulating JSON structures
• New methods added to XML Object
• Load_json: Sets the XML object using a JSON object
• Load_xml_file: Loads the XML object from the data in the given XML file
• Save_xml_file: Saves the XML data from the object to a file

Excel and Word Objects

• Ability to instantiate the Excel Object or Word Object by passing a [RUNNING] or [RUNNING OR NEW] parameter
• New methods added to Excel Object
• AutoFitAll: Sets the AutoFit property for all columns and rows in a worksheet
• AutoFitColumns: Sets the AutoFit property for the columns for a range of cells in a given worksheet
• AutoFitRows: Sets the AutoFit property for the rows in a range of cells in a given worksheet

Google Workspace Objects

• New methods added to Google Sheets Object
• AutoFitAll: Auto resizes all column widths and row heights based on cell content in a sheet
• AutoFitColumns: Auto resizes column widths based on cell content for a range of cells in a given sheet
• AutoFitRows: Auto resizes row heights based on cell content for a range of cells in a given sheet

Webster+

• Added the Create Base Webster+ Page(s) utility for creating base HTML pages from existing NOMADS panels as a starting point

• Improvements to iNomads template used when displaying iNomads tasks in Webster+

Visual Studio Code Extension

• Updated to use Version 1.0.1 to support running on UNIX/Linux platforms

Enhanced IDE, NOMADS and Toolkit

• Updated fonts and properties for Dark and Light mode toolkit themes
• Added new Tab Name options to the Tab Name drop box on the Maintain IDE HTML Tabs dialog
• New Projects menu available with options for creating/editing projects and managing project tasks when NOMADS is run from the PxPlus Command Line (using the Nom command), similar to the PxPlus IDE
• NOMADS+ Toolbar is now the default panel designer
• Grid Presets: New properties added
• CbMarkColor$: Sets the color of the check mark or X in the check box
• HdrLineColor$: Sets the color of the border lines drawn between columns when the 'ExcelStyle property is set for the top row only of the grid and does not affect the leading left column
• LockButtonColor$: Sets the background color for locked system-generated buttons in a grid, including drop box buttons and query buttons
• LockForegroundButtonColor$: Sets the foreground text color for locked system-generated buttons in a grid, including drop box buttons and query buttons
• RowHeaderLineColor$: Sets the color of the border lines drawn between rows when the 'ExcelStyle property is set for the leading left column only of the grid and does not affect the grid top row
• Change Directory utility (in NOMADS Session Manager) now has a query button in the Directory field for selecting a directory or creating a new one
• Updated the panel header and controls information that can be displayed when using the PxPlus Wiki
• Renamed COM control in all screen designers to EXT External Control
• .NET objects can now be added to a NOMADS panel using External Controls in all screen designers

File Maintenance Generator

• Ability to create or edit the Interface Program and Grid Initialization Program by using the program editor when generating file maintenance HTML pages
• Adding a Folder Location now automatically defaults to a Full row

iNomads

• Added support for the Multi-Line Encrypt$ property

Themes and Visual Classes

• New check box option added to Font Properties allows a specified font name to be used without overriding the font size and attribute settings for the library, panel or individual controls
  
  
• Check Box properties added or modified
• CB Disable Frame Color added: Sets the color of the disabled Check Box frame only for standard Check Boxes (with no bitmap added)
• CB Disable Mark Color added: Sets the color of the check mark in the disabled Check Box only for standard Check Boxes (with no bitmap added)
• Hover Background Color, Hover Border Color and Hover Text Color: These properties can now be used for standard Check Boxes (with no bitmap added)
• Check Box Frame Color renamed to CB Frame Color
• Check Box Hover Color renamed to CB Hover Color
• Check Box Mark Color renamed to CB Mark Color
  
  
• Drop Box properties added
• Hover Background Color: Sets the background color when the mouse is over the control
• Hover Border Color: Sets the border color when the mouse is over the control
• Hover Text Color: Sets the foreground text color when the mouse is over the control
  
  
• Grid properties added
• CB Disable Mark Color: Sets the color of the check mark in the disabled Check Box
• CB Mark Color: Sets the color of the check mark in the Check Box
• Header Line Color: Sets the color of the border lines drawn between columns for the top row only of the Grid and does not affect the leading left column
• Lock Button Color: Sets the background color for locked system-generated buttons in a Grid
• Lock Foreground Button Color: Sets the foreground text color for locked system-generated buttons in a Grid
• Row Header Line Color: Sets the color of the border lines drawn between rows for the leading left column only of the Grid and does not affect the top row
  
  
• Multi-Line properties added
• Hover Background Color: Sets the background color when the mouse is over the control
• Hover Border Color: Sets the border color when the mouse is over the control
• Hover Text Color: Sets the foreground text color when the mouse is over the control
  
  
• Radio Button properties added or modified
• RB Disable Frame Color added: Sets the color of the disabled Radio Button frame only for standard Radio Buttons (with no bitmap added)
• RB Disable Mark Color added: Sets the color of the circle in the disabled Radio Button only for standard Radio Buttons (with no bitmap added)
• Hover Background Color and Hover Border Color: These properties can now be used for standard Radio Buttons (with no bitmap added)
• Radio Button Frame Color renamed to RB Frame Color
• Radio Button Hover Color renamed to RB Hover Color
• Radio Button Mark Color renamed to RB Mark Color
  
  
• Tri-State Check Box properties added or modified
• CB Disable Frame Color added: Sets the color of the disabled Check Box frame only for standard Check Boxes (with no bitmap added)
• CB Disable Mark Color added: Sets the color of the check mark in the disabled Check Box only for standard Check Boxes (with no bitmap added)
• Hover Background Color, Hover Border Color and Hover Text Color: These properties can now be used for standard Check Boxes (with no bitmap added)
• Check Box Frame Color renamed to CB Frame Color
• Check Box Hover Color renamed to CB Hover Color
• Check Box Mark Color renamed to CB Mark Color
  
  
• Variable Drop Box properties added
• Hover Background Color: Sets the background color when the mouse is over the control
• Hover Border Color: Sets the border color when the mouse is over the control
• Hover Text Color: Sets the foreground text color when the mouse is over the control

Data Dictionary

• Data Dictionary Maintenance enhancements
• File Links Express utility added to the Utilities menu for creating and editing cross-reference file links to other files in the data dictionary based on a key of the file being linked to
• Define File Links button added to the Main panel for invoking the File Link Maintenance and File Links Express utilities
• Updated the Data Dictionary file information that can be displayed when using the PxPlus Wiki

Query+

• Improved performance of the Query+ Find, Goto, Print, Copy All and Export features with large data sets

WindX

• WindX Connection Manager enhancements
• Two additional parameters, Terminal Type and PxPlus Path, can be specified when creating an SSH connection
• Added the ability to launch PxPlus directly over SSH
• WindX performance improvements
• Launching WindX from a browser has been updated to conform to the latest security updates

Utilities and Commands

• OAuth2 authorization support added to Web Email utilities
• *web/email utility enhancement
        ▪ "accesstoken$" argument added for passing in an OAuth2 access token
• *web/testemail utility enhancements
        ▪ Added OAuth2 authentication SSL and STARTTLS Test options
        ▪ "password" argument changed to the "password_or_accesstoken$" argument for passing in a password or an OAuth2 access token
• *web/pop3 utility object enhancements
        ▪ New OAuthConnect method that uses OAuth2 authentication when connecting unencrypted or via STARTTLS to a POP3 email server
        ▪ New OAuthSSLConnect method that uses OAuth2 authentication when connecting via SSL to a POP3 email server
• *web/smtp utility enhancements
        ▪ "accesstoken$" argument added for passing in an OAuth2 access token
• Progress Bar enhancements
• Enhanced the look and feel of the default Progress Bar display
• Added the ability to Customize the Progress Bar appearance
• System commands added (run from PxPlus Command Line)
• cls: Clears the Command Line editing screen
• fmgen: Opens an existing file maintenance panel in the File Maintenance Generator or allows a new panel to be defined
• popup: Opens an existing NOMADS popup menu definition or allows a new popup menu to be defined
• qry: Opens an existing NOMADS query definition or allows a new query to be defined
• nom system command enhanced to allow a file maintenance panel to be opened either in the File Maintenance Generator or the NOMADS Panel Designer

PxPlus SQL ODBC Driver/SQL Server (Version 8.10.0000)

• Updated to use the latest OpenSSL 3.5.0

NOMADS Properties

• %NOMADS'Disable_Customizer: Set to 1 to disable the PxPlus Customizer

Global Variables for Progress Bar Customization

• %_PROGBAR_BACK_CLR$: Background color of the progress bar dialog
• %_PROGBAR_BAR_CLR$: Color of the progress bar
• %_PROGBAR_FONT$: Font to use for the text that will display in the progress bar window and on the Cancel button
• %_PROGBAR_PERCENT_CLR$: Color of percentage indicator that will show as complete within the progress bar when using the Update_percent method
• %_PROGBAR_TEXT_CLR$: Color of the text that will display in the progress bar window

PxPlus Help Usability Enhancements

• Enhanced the PxPlus Help user interface
• Added informational resources to the bottom of the tree view in the PxPlus Help for easier access
• Introduction to PxPlus Training Guide
• PVX Plus Knowledge Center
• PxPlus User Forum
• PxPlus Video Library
• Added Additional Resources section to the PxPlus Help header page with links to the PxPlus User Forum, PVX Plus Knowledge Center, PxPlus Video Library and Introduction to PxPlus Training Guide

New How To Tutorials

• JSON Object
• How to Convert JSON to XML Using the XML Object
• How to Convert XML to JSON
• How to Work with the PxPlus JSON Object
• .NET Interface
• How to Create a .NET Button (NOMADS)
• How to Create a .NET Button (Program)
• How to Create a .NET Calendar Control (NOMADS)
• How to Create a .NET Calendar Control (Program)
• How to Display a Date in a PxPlus Multi-Line from a NOMADS .NET Calendar
• Additional Topics
• How to Customize the PxPlus Progress Bar
• How to Speed Up Grid Loading and Processing
• How to Use Projects from the NOMADS Session Manager

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:
  • Create and Edit a Project
  • Copy a Project
  • Delete a Project
  • Use PxPlus Query Definitions in Non-NOMADS Environments
  • Use the Library Bulk Edit and Search Utility
  • Add Color to Menu Definitions

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

• 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

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 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