Carl Henderson

If you plan to open the same file multiple times you cannot rely on #end-file to be correct.

I ran into this problem where it would only read through my data file once but not a second time. After opening the file, I used the following code to read it:

WHILE NOT #end-file
  READ 1 into $line:100
END-WHILE

However once the second read came around, the cursor was already at the eof keeping #end-file true.

The way around this is by altering the While logic:


WHILE 1
  READ 1 into $line:100
  IF #end-file
    BREAK
  END-IF
END-WHILE

In the latter example, it’s important to note that #end-file is used after another READ command. This resets the eof and allows the SQR to function as intended.

As an Applications Systems Analyst/Programmer for the University of Central Florida, I try to be involved in projects that greatly extend the functionality of PeopleSoft. Recently we’ve gone live with several new applications that have completely automated existing business processes saving time and most importantly money—which is especially true in an era of budget cuts and economic turmoil.

1. Intent to Graduate

This application allows students to file their intent to graduate online through the MyUCF portal. It utilizes work flow to manage and assign specific tasks to users in different departments during the entire ITG approval process. Once the final approval is complete, the student is awarded his/her degree.

2. Online Transcript Request

This project was fascinating to me because it was the first time working with web services as part of Integration Broker. This application gives students the ability to order their transcripts online through the portal where in the past students must submit a paper form and each transcript is processed manually. This new automation utilizes WSDLs from FedEx to automate the printing of shipping labels as well as integrates with an online payment gateway to allow for convenient payment methods.

As new projects are unveiled, I’ll plan to publish a quick blurb about them so my readers can know what I actually do here, but mostly because I will forget about them as not only do I have a terrible memory, but because I am constantly moving on to the next new and exciting thing to come my way =).

When I set out to create an application that launches a URL of my choosing, it was hard for me to find one place that walked me through exactly what I needed to do. It took me a lot of digging but I was able to do the following:

1. Complete the initial java setup/installation
2. Download Blackberry JDE
3. Leverage Blackberry sample code
4. Compile and Run Using the Simulator

Initial java setup/installation

To begin, first we must setup our development environment. This means we need to make sure we have the latest Java Development Kit (JDK). This is available from Sun directly and includes the Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) and command-line development tools that are used for developing applets and applications, like the one I will show you.

Download Blackberry JDE

Once we have the core java components installed, we move on to installing the Blackberry JDE. This is available from the Blackberry Developers Resource site. You will need to download the Blackberry Java Development Environment (JDE) which sits on top of the java components we installed earlier. This suite should come with the Blackberry MDS Simulator and Blackberry Device Simulators.  We’ll get back to these.

Leverage Blackberry sample code

By default, the Blackberry JDE will install to “C:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry JDE 4.5.0“. There is a Workspace file that you should open next. It rests in the “JDE directory\samples\samples.jdw“. Find the sample code we want to use.

Line 71 shows the URL that is going to be opened:

PrimaryResourceFetchThread thread = new PrimaryResourceFetchThread("http://www.google.com", null, null, null, this);

Before you compile and run this, make sure you are running MDS which simulates data services through your computer’s internet connection (among other things). Now you’re ready to run it through the simulator. This should begin automatically when you hit F5.

Now, navigate to the application that you were working on… in this case it would be BrowserContentManagerDemo and click to start the app!

Final Note

It took me longer than expected to write this. Primarily because I wanted it to be as straight-forward and detailed as possible so I ran out of time to go over how to create images and set them as your application’s icon. But I will cover that in a future post, as well as how to get the application loaded onto your device. In the meantime, I’m sure you can keep yourself quite busy with the simulator. Enjoy.