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Programming in ABC
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Programming in Clarion's ABC

Introduction

Bruce Johnson presented an all-day training session at ETC 3. Demand for the notes, from people who were unable to attend the session, was overwhelming. Thus we extended the notes and made them available, in a printed format, to the general Clarion community.

This book was originally written in 2002, and focused on Clarion 5.5. However the basic concepts with regard to using ABC have not changed since then, and the material in this book still applies to later versions of Clarion including Clarion 8.

The book is 139 pages long.

Chapter Guide

What the Readers say

I just finished reading your book (for the first time). I am programming since 1958, so I could call myself an old hand. In my life time I have read many programming books, but have never read one which was able to present a pretty arcane subject, such as Clarion's ABC, with such clarity
and ease. You really succeeded in explaining the subject and making it understandable. My hat's off! I can recommend your book to every Clarionaut.
- Gerald M. Kahn

Just a quick note to say how much I appreciate 'Programming in Clarion's ABC'. At first sight it seems a high price for 139 pages, but it is so full of really useful information that I rate it good value for money. - Tim Mimpriss

This is the best doc on basic browse & form ABC that I have read. - Bob Ferguson

This is the book I've been waiting for. Finally after all these years, I'm getting a clue how to use ABC Correctly. This manual should be part of buying Clarion. - Ray Rippey

Questions and answers with Bruce. The most educational experience of my career. The jump start to my understanding of ABC and my confidence was incredible. - Hyrum W. Tatton

Came home late this evening. Found a parcel on the table. Found your book inside parcel.
I found answers to questions I could not imagine.
- Rene Simons

Always wanted to know where to put the embedded source in ABC? Two weeks ago I bought Bruce Johnson's book Programming in Clarion's ABC. If you want a practical introduction and certainly not a dull theoretical overview of objects: Buy it! - Roel Grit


ClarionMag Review

This review first appeared in Clarion Online and is reproduced with permission.

ETC III: Programming in Clarion's ABC by Bruce Johnson - by Brice Schagane

Once again, Bruce Johnson returned to the ETC conference for his presentation of Programming in Clarion's ABC.

Bruce has expanded his previous presentation at ETC 2000 to cover significantly more information. For example, attendees of this session received a 137 page book, written by Bruce Johnson, that details all the information discussed. The book for this year's session is approximately three times bigger than before.

Bruce opened with a discussion of some basic ABC terminology and outlined some goals of using ABC, the primary goal being: writing reusable, bug free code.

The information presented this year was simply overwhelming. The topics that Bruce covered included: Windows, Forms, Browses, Views, Reports, Processes, Files, Relations, Errors, Popups, INI files, and Edit In Place. Each topical discussion focused on the ABC Classes involved and how they relate to each other.

Bruce explained the relationships between "Generic" and "Specific" code and helped grasp the concept of "Virtual Methods", or "Pancakes" as he calls them. If your confused by this, don't be alarmed, I was too. Bruce was basically implying that the term "Virtual" is too vague, and should have been called something more meaningful.

Bruce also discussed Interfaces. He explained what they are and how to use them. In each of his discussions, Bruce pointed out major embed points and when we should use them. Along the way, He provided many useful tips and tricks. He also presented some little know facts, including: As an added bonus, Bruce will be providing several resources to the participants, via the web. This will include some examples, as well as custom zError and zINIClass classes. These classes overcome some of the limitations of their respective ABC classes.

All in all, too much information was discussed than can be included in this report. At times, even Bruce skimped on the details, but would direct us to read the book, because the information is discussed there.

There was an additional cost of $50 to attend this session. Even if you were unable to attend, it is my opinion that the book alone is worth the money spent. The book is laid out quite nicely. The first section is intended to be an introductory tutorial, while sections two and three cover more advanced topics. Compared to the cost of many computer books these days, the cost to attend this session was a bargain. If you have the opportunity in 2004, you should definitely plan on attending this session.

© 2002, Online Publications, Inc. Reproduced with permission.

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Programming in ABC