🔍 How to Filter and Search Objects in Uniface 10.4 Resource Browser

Note: This blog post was created with the help of AI.

Introduction

When working with Uniface 10.4, you often deal with many objects like components, entities, fields, and libraries 📚. Finding the right object quickly can be challenging, especially in large applications. That's where the Resource Browser comes in handy! Let me show you how to filter and search for objects efficiently.

What is the Resource Browser?

The Resource Browser is a tool in the Uniface IDE that helps you browse, filter, and select development objects. Think of it as your navigation system 🗺️ through the application structure. It has a special feature called the U-Bar, which is like a search and filter bar at the top.

Filtering by Object Type

The easiest way to find objects is by filtering them by type. The Resource Browser automatically applies a default filter based on what you're working on. You can change this filter in three ways:

Method 1: Using the Browse Arrow 🎯

Click the Browse arrow in the U-Bar and select the object type you want to see. For example, you can filter for components, entities, or libraries.

Method 2: Clicking URL Parts

If you already have a URL in the U-Bar, click on any part of it to navigate back or select a different sub-object type. Each part is clickable, making navigation super easy!

Method 3: Manual Entry ⌨️

You can type directly into the U-Bar to manually edit the URL and specify the object type you're looking for.

Searching by Name or Description

Sometimes you remember part of an object's name but not the exact spelling. No problem! Just click in the U-Bar and start typing. As you type, Uniface shows suggestions that match your input ✨. This is perfect when you're looking for a specific entity like "ACME" or a snippet in a library.

Example: If you type "acme", the Resource Browser will show all entities containing "acme" in their name or description.

Working with Entity Structures

Entities in Uniface can have fields, parent entities, and sub-entities. The Resource Browser makes it easy to navigate these relationships 🔗.

Viewing Fields

To see all fields of an entity, select the entity and press Enter or double-click it. The entity name is copied to the U-Bar, and automatically a field filter is added. Now you see all fields belonging to that entity!

Finding Parent or Sub-Entities

Right-click on an entity and choose the option under "Show in Resource Browser" to find its parent entity or sub-entities. Alternatively, click the entity name in the U-Bar and add these keywords:

/ent: shows the entity's sub-types
/fld: shows the entity's fields

Exploring Entity Relationships

One of the most powerful features is finding related entities in one-to-many or many-to-one relationships 💪.

Using Keywords for Relationships

You can use special keywords in the U-Bar to explore relationships:

/one: lists One entities (if the current entity is on the Many side)
/many: lists Many entities (if the current entity is on the One side)

Example: You can create complex relationship chains like this:

ent:ADDRESS.ACMECUST/many:customer.acmecust/many:orders.acmeord/one:deliverymethod.acmeord

This URL shows you the ADDRESS entity, then navigates to related customers, their orders, and finally the delivery method. When you press Enter, Uniface shortens it to show the most recent part:

ent:customer.acmecust/many:orders.acmeord

Context Menu Shortcuts

Don't forget about the right-click context menu! 🖱️ When you right-click on an object in the Resource Browser, you get quick access to useful options like:

Show parent entity
Show sub-entities
Show related One or Many entities
Show fields

This saves you time and makes navigation more intuitive.

Tips for Efficient Use

Here are some quick tips to work faster with the Resource Browser:

Use the search function when you know part of the object name 🔎
Take advantage of smart suggestions as you type
Use the context menu for quick navigation
Remember that each part of the URL in the U-Bar is clickable
Combine filters and searches to narrow down results

Summary

The Resource Browser in Uniface 10.4 is a powerful tool that makes finding and navigating objects much easier 🚀. Whether you're filtering by object type, searching by name, exploring entity structures, or investigating relationships, the Resource Browser has you covered. Practice these techniques, and you'll soon navigate your Uniface applications like a pro!

Happy coding! 💻