Great White North Technical Evangelist

File Explorer Example Application - 2026 R4 Released!

2026-10-13T09:25:14.860-07:00

** Hot News Item **

NEW File Explorer Example App!

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce a New File Explorer Example application. This application utilizes the "ns_tv_master" TreeView ancestor and the "ns_lv_master" ListView from the STD Framework's 2026 R4 release ancestor classes - that perform all the low level GUI interface. These ancestor classes add much "value-added" features to the application that inherits from them. This application also demonstrates how to implement a "split bar" between the two controls.!

The STD Framework version 2026 R4 was used for building this example application. So features like, for example: Logging, Debugging, Performance Monitoring, Windows Resources Tracking, Themes, Messaging, etc features are standard framework behaviours. All which are in the this example utility by default inheritance. The Run / Wait Example application demonstrates the prowess of the new "nc_run_wait_master" NVUO ancestor as well as you now have the example PowerScript code on how to engage the framework's controls & feature file handling features.

File Explorer Example App features ...

This new app is built using the latest PB 2025 R2 version build 6464
Built from the latest STD Framework version 2026 R4 build 2026.4.0.491
App utilizes the latest STD Framework 2026 R4 ancestors for all working app classes
Utilizes the new "nc_file_master" class to handle folder and file processing
Tested the File Explorer App on W11 O/S version 26H2 build 26300.9550

The File Explorer Utility App in action!

The File Explorer Example application is a good example of a PB App that it is all driven by the STD framework. This framework now allows the PB developer to easily build modern GUI Application interfaces that are required / desired by most today's App users. Implementing all the "bells & whistles" just by using object inheritance. It also assists the PB Applications with interfacing to the many of the O/S's low level features with ease! Thus the framework based applications allow the PB developer to be exponentially more productive as well.

Please click here to download & enjoy the File Explorer Example application!

Enjoy ... Chris

Webcam Capture Example Application - 2026 R4 Released!

2026-10-01T07:33:53.339-07:00

** Hot News Item **

NEW Web Capture Example App!

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce a New Web Camera Capture example application. This application utilizes the new "wn_webcam_master" window class from the STD Framework version 2026 R4 that then embeds the PB built-in Web Browser class object inherited from the "vs_wb_master" framework class. This dynamic duo then implements the live feed and capture of your PC's WebCam into your PB Application! From there, the App User cam take a snap shot of the WebCam's current image which saves that to a PB Picture Control. From there the App can then save the image in the Web Browser to the browser's download area. The example app then allows the App User to open up the files in the download area from PB and to select the captured image for further processing.

The STD Framework (free & open source) version 2026 R4 was used for building this example application. So features like, for example: Logging, Debugging, Performance Monitoring, Windows Resources Tracking, Themes, Messaging, etc features are standard framework behaviours. In which all these features are then in the this example application because of the use of framework inheritance. The WebCam Capture Example application demonstrates the prowess of the new "Web Browser" built-in PB system class, and the framework's derived ancestor from that - plus, the PowerScript code required to engage it's features.

Key Run / Wait Example App features ...

This new app is built using the latest PB 2025 R2 version build 6464.
Implemented the entire WebCam Capture uses only pure PowerScript code!
Supplied P-Cpde and M-Code App EXE compiles of the WebCam Capture App.
Utilizes the latest STD Framework 2026 R4 ancestors for all working example app classes.
Tested the WebCam Capture example App on W11 O/S version 26H2 (new) build 26300.9550.

An actual Live Webcam Feed & Capture test!

The Webcam Capture Example application is a good example of a PB App that it is all driven by the STD framework. This framework now allows the PB developer to easily build modern GUI Application interfaces that are required / desired by most today's App users. Implementing all the "bells & whistles" just by using object inheritance. It also assists the PB Applications with interfacing to the many O/S low level features with ease! Thus the framework based applications allow the PB developer to be exponentially more productive as well.

Please click here to download & enjoy the Webcam Capture Example application!

Enjoy ... Chris

Run / Wait Example Application - 2026 R4 Released!

2026-09-25T19:14:46.595-07:00

** Hot News Item **

NEW Run / Wait Example App!

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce a New Run /Wait Example application. This application utilizes the new "nc_run_wait_master" STD Framework 2026 R4 NVUO User Object that performs all the low level run, wait, process & EXE MS-Windows APIs. This ancestor then adds "value-added" features to the framework system classes. It also makes the built-in Run() command feature look primitive to this NVUO's much higher level processing features!

The STD Framework version 2026 R4 was used for building this example application. So features like, for example: Logging, Debugging, Performance Monitoring, Windows Resources Tracking, Themes, Messaging, etc features are standard framework behaviours. All which are in the this example utility by default inheritance. The Run / Wait Example application demonstrates the prowess of the new "nc_run_wait_master" NVUO ancestor as well as yun now have the PowerScript code on how to engage it's features.

Key Run / Wait Example App features ...

This new app is built using the latest PB 2025 R2 version build 6464
Can run & wait external applications using the MS-Windows "Shell" commands
Can run & wait external applications using the MS-Windows "API" commands
Utilizes the latest STD Framework 2026 R4 ancestors for all working app classes
Tested the Run / Wait Example App on W11 O/S version 25H2 build 26200.9550

Run / Wait Example Application in Action!

The Run / Wait Example application is a good example of a PB App that it is all driven by the STD framework. This framework now allows the PB developer to easily build modern GUI Application interfaces that are required / desired by most today's App users. Implementing all the "bells & whistles" just by using object inheritance. It also assists the PB Applications with interfacing to the many O/S low level features with ease! Thus the framework based applications allow the PB developer to be exponentially more productive as well.

Please click here to download & enjoy the Run / Wait Example application!

Enjoy ... Chris

PB Script Commenter Utility Application - (2026 R4) Released!

2026-09-23T07:02:03.329-07:00

** Hot News **

STD Foundation Classes

PowerBuilder Script Commenter - Application update released!

Software Tool & Die Inc. today are very pleased to announce an updated version of the Script Commenter 2026 R4 application (build 2026.4.0.91) for the Appeon PowerBuilder 2025 R2 build 6464 IDE! This latest release of the Script Commenter application is also using the STD Integrated Framework to drive this functionality...

PB 2022 R3 IDE using the Script Commenter!

PB 2025 R2 IDE using the Script Commenter!

The STD Script Commenter is a significant enhancement to the way a PB developer works productivity wise by easily allowing code comments to be added to any object class in the current object painter's PowerScipt or declaration areas! The Script Commenter is based on the original basic commenter application developed by R.C. Sizer but has been totally refactored to work much more efficiently using the STD Framework's classes. This latest Commenter release includes the following new features ...

Migrated the App code from PB2022 R3 build 3356 to PB2025 R2 build 6464
Revised the code to work with the new PB 2025 Script Editor
Tested on PB2022 R3 build 3356 and PB2025 R2 build 6464
Tested in the Window, Application, Standard/Custom User Object and Function painters!
Tested on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9457

Mapping the Script Commenter in the PB 2022 / 2025 IDE

The latest Script Commenter is designed to work with any Unicode version of PowerBuilder (v10.x through 2025 Rx). It can be activated within the PB IDE by creating a toolbar short-cut icon and assigning to the Commenter's EXE as follows:

app path\ScriptCommenterXXX.exe header
- or -
app path\ScriptCommenterXXX.exe block
- or -
app path\ScriptCommenterXXX.exe inline

where XXX = Compiled type 32M or32P

Watch the video (Version 2023 R2 which is functionality the same as 2026 R4!)

The EXE parameter values such as header, in-line or block direct the Commenter App to read the format located in the "Comment_Block.ini" file. This INI file can customized based on the values found in the "Comment_Template.ini" file to meet the exact needs of each PowerBuilder developer!

You can download the new free open source STD Script Commenter application from the STD Frameworks SourceForge project's website by clicking here and then get more productive with your PB IDE development documentation in minutes!

Note: The previous Script Commenter versions are in the SourceForge's Archive sub-folder.

Enjoy!

Regards ... Chris

Compress/Decompress Example Application - 2026 R4 Released!

2026-09-20T19:00:02.798-07:00

** Hot News Item **

NEW Compress / Decompress Example App!

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce a New Compress/Decompress Example application. This application utilizes the PowerBuilder 2025 R2 built-in Compressor and Extractor native Standard Visual User Objects. However, these objects now have a corresponding STD framework ancestor - "ns_compressor_master and ns_extractor" receptively. These ancestors then already add "value-added" features to the PB corresponding system classes.

The STD Framework version 2026 R4 was used for building this application. So features like for example: Logging, Debugging, Performance Monitoring, Windows Resources Tracking, Themes, Messaging, etc features are standard framework behaviours now in the this example utility. The Compress / Decompress utility can work on external files or data located within a BLOB memory variable. All the while displaying progress and compression / decompression statistics.

Key Compress/Decompress Example App features ...

This new app is built using the latest PB 2026 R4 version build 6464
Can select the compression type: For example, Tar, Zip, Gzip, Rar, etc
Can select the compression level: For example, Normal, High, Fats, Best, etc
Can add a compressed data stream or file password.
Utilized the STD Framework 2026 R4 ancestors for all working app classes
Tested the Compress/Decompress Example App on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9457

Example App after an external file compression,

The Compress/Decompress Example application is a good example of a PB App that it is all driven by the STD framework. This now allows the PB developer to easily build modern GUI Application interfaces that are required / desired with all the "bells & whistles" just by changing object inheritance. The framework based app also allows the PB developer to be exponentially more productive!

Please click here to download & enjoy the Compress/Decompress Example application!

Enjoy ... Chris

WebMap Example Application - 2026 R3 Released!

2026-09-08T07:32:23.347-07:00

** Hot News Item **

NEW WebMap Example App!

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce a New WebMap Example application. This application utilizes the PowerBuilder 2025 R2 built-in Web Browser control to interact with not only the Web Browser itself but Google Maps.as well! This allows a PB app to pass map data requests to Google Maps and have it return a map web page. The map web page can then be interacted with to refine the GPS information and then get things like: major attractions, driving / walking information, places of interest near by, street view, tourist things to do, etc!

The STD Framework version 2026 R3 was used for building this application. So features like for example: Zooming, Print Preview, Tabbed Dialogues, Ribbon Bar UI, Logging, Debugging, Themes, Multiple monitor support, automatic Dialogue centering, MS-Window notifications, consistent message box displays, etc are already in the application by default just through inheritance!

Key Application features ...

New app build using the latest PB 2025 R2 build 6430
Utilized the STD Framework 2026 R3 ancestors for all working app classes
Tested the Colour Generator on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278

The WebMap Example application is a good example of a PB App that it is all driven by the STD framework. This now allows the PB developer to easily build modern GUI Application interfaces that are required / desired with all the "bells & whistles" just by changing object inheritance. The framework based app also allows the PB developer to be exponentially more productive!

To use the WebMap's Google Map feature, just click on the "Location" command button after filling the Location information data. If the location information is correct, google will then present the following (as an example):

Google Map interaction from a PB App

The Web Map Example application once the basic map has been displayed, allows the App User to interact with Google to refine the information and view that the App User is looking for, for example:

Example of requesting Driving Directions

Street View example & much more!

The Web Map Example application can also link to related web sites and also allow you to interact with Web Forms, for example:

An example of interacting with a Web Form

Please click here to download & enjoy the WebMap example APP!

Enjoy ... Chris

InfoMaker Framework - 2026R3 Released!

2026-09-07T16:47:52.275-07:00

** Hot News **

Updated InfoMaker Framework

of Reusable Functions

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are pleased to announce today an updated subset of their Integrated Framework that has been developed for the latest Appeon InfoMaker 2025 R2 release build 6430. The updated STD InfoMaker Framework is a set of reusable functions that can be used in any InfoMaker Report or Form object where expressions are used to obtain, format, validate, derive, compute, etc various values. In this release as well, all the functions have been now documented by the Visual Expert 2025 product from Novalys, as follows:

Visual Expert generated documentation in HTML format!

The updated InfoMaker framework includes a library of reusable functions. These functions can perform a variety of value-added services to any InfoMaker set of Report or Form objects. The Functions are well documented internally. You can add these to your InfoMaker product by amending the IM library list to include the "STD_FC_IM_Functions.pbl" library. This will immediately give you access to all these global functions.

Step#1 - Select the Library List in the InfoMaker IDE

Step#2 - Add the STD InfoMaker Framework's library to your project

Note: All the STD frameworks are free and can be downloaded from its STD Foundation Classes SourceForge project website. The new InfoMaker framework can be downloaded from here.

In the near future, Software Tool & Die will also be adding more functions to this framework.

STD would also like to thank Novalys Corporation for their support of the various STD Foundation Frameworks by supplying the VisualExpert product for the framework's documentation!

Enjoy!
Regards ... Chris

SQL Extract Utility Application - (2026 R3) Released!

2026-09-06T18:23:26.081-07:00

** Hot News **

Updated SQL Extract version 2026 R3

for Appeon PowerBuilder 2025 R2

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD Inc) have just released a new version of the SQL Extract utility (version 2026.3.48) that can reverse engineer Appeon PowerBuilder's proprietary SQL format known as a PBSELECT into either ANSI, PL/SQL or T-SQL format from within any DataWindow (TM) object. The new version of the SQL Extract utility was designed to allow it to forward & reverse engineer the DataWindow source code from any Unicode based PowerBuilder library. This means that DataWindow source from PowerBuilder version 10 through PB 2017 can be parsed & the SQL run-time generated from a PBSELECT - just like when your DataWindows are actually running under control of your PowerBuilder based production applications! The utility will also identify DataWindows that are not using a PBSELECT format that may be already causing performance, migration or cross-DBMS issues.

Main App dialogue with new TabbedView & RibbonView features added!

The output of SQL Extract is a textual based .SQL file that can be input directly into SQL syntax analysis products like: SQL Parser; SQL Doctor; Aqua Data Studio; DB Optimizer; etc (to name a few products) for further SQL analysis, formatting, & tuning. STD successfully tested the new version of SQL Extract with SAP's latest SQL Anywhere 17 & ASE 16 as well as the Microsoft SQLServer 2017 DBMS system. SQL Extract can also handle other DB access mechanisms, such as: OLE-DB, ADO.net, JDBC, OData. Support for the ODBC db driver is still standard, but the native db drivers are fully supported as per the Appeon PB 2017R1 product feature set. For older ASE databases, SQL Extract also supports the Open Client (SYC) native DB driver access mechanism.

The new version of the SQL Extract utility will also work with Appeon's PowerBuilder & InfoMaker 2025 R2 development tools as well, as those products also utilize the same DataWindow object technology. The new features of SQLXTract v2026R3 are as follows:

Migrated the App code to PB2025 GA to PB2025 R2 version 25.1.0.6430.
Revised SQL extraction logic to support "on the fly" DataWindow source conversion to PB2025 R2 syntax standard
Tested SQL Extract with SA 17 and the new "PB Demo DB V2025 R2" database
Added support for PB 2025's new RibbonView feature
Added support for PB 2025's new TabbedView feature
Tested SQL Extract on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278

The SQL Extract utility application is open source and thus royalty free to use. You can download the SQL Extract application source code from its current location on the SourceForge website.

Enjoy!

Regards ... Chris

Structure Generator - 2026 R3 Released!

2026-09-06T16:43:13.090-07:00

** Hot News **

Updated Structure Generator Utility

Software Tool & Die Inc (STD) are pleased to announce a new free & open source utility for automatically generating PowerBuilder structure classes from any DataWindow. This comes in handy when building Web Service, .NET Assembly, User Object, etc interfaces for encapsulated data interaction. The Structure Generator utility is designed using the latest STD Foundation Class framework version 2026vR3 and specifically works with the new PowerBuilder 2025 R2 release. It works with the WorkSpace application type but cal be migrated to a Solution type in a few minutes.

The generator starts by introspecting any PBL (PowerBuilder Library) to build a list of DataWindow objects contained within that library. The PB developer can point the utility to any MS-Windows folder that may contain a PBL. From there, the generator displays a list of DataWindow Objects (DWO) contained in the selected PBL. Any SQL or External based DWO can be used to build a set of structures for to use in constructing a data equivalent structure object source.

In this release ...

Migrated the code from PowerBuilder 2025 GA build 3683 to PowerBuilder 2025 R2 build 6430
Updated the STD Integrated framework to the latest release 2026 R3 build 2026.3.0.481
Updated MS-Window "Notification" support for PB2025 R2 compliance
Improved "Marquee" support via the update to STD Framework 2026R3
Tested on MS-Windows 11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278
The PB 2025 R2 Theme HighDPI feature is now supported.
Can now modify the RibbonBar mode from the App's "Tools" menu
Can now modify the TabbedView mode from the App's "Tools" menu
Can now swap between the RibbonBar / Menu mode from the App's "Tools" menu.

Structure Generator in action!

For .Net based interfaces you need to build two structures. One that maps any DWO's primary buffer and a second structure that houses the first. The SG can build both structures by selecting the "generate parent structure" option on the lower left hand side of the "Structure Builder" screen. You can also request that the SG prefix your Structure Item names (ie: "si_"). Once the DWO and structure options are selected, the "Generate" command button will allow the developer to select the target folder and Structure name where the SG will build then actual PB structure object source code.

Selecting the location and name to build the structure!

For the "Tracing Options" DWO shown above, lets enter the structure name "sr_trace_options" when we select the "generate" command button. The SG will complete the building of the resulting structure(s) based on the DWO's definition.

Resulting PowerBuilder Structure source code!

Once your structure(s) source are built by the SG utility, all the PB developer needs to do to ready the structures for use is to use the RMB on any PBL and then select the "Import" popup menu option. This will now import both the source code & compile the P-Code of the imported structure into working object for use in your PB application(s)!

Importing the new Structure into a PBL

Viewing the new Structure in the Structure Painter!

Now to complete the structure, you can edit the Structure Item "description(s)" as required to complete the object's documentation. Then save the edited Structure for your use or share the structure PBL with your fellow PB developers for their productivity.

To download the free & open source SG 2026 R3 utility - click here!

To download the free & open source STD 2026 R3 Framework - click here!

Enjoy ... Chris

OCR / Imaging Example - 2026 R3 Released!

2026-09-06T16:18:48.427-07:00

** Hot News Item **

Updated OCR / Imaging Example!

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce the updated release of both the STD Integrated Framework (2026 R3) and the the OCR / Imaging example application (version 2026.3.0.5) that utilizes the STD framework to implement both OCR scanning and Image management! The OCR / Imaging feature inside this application is all driven by DataWindow controls and utilizes the free and open source Tesseract and ImageMagicK products for OCR and Image management!

The OCR / Imaging application is a working prototype of a real life application that was actually put into production. It emulates a "web" look & feel with controls and menus leveraging DataWindow technology. A great candidate for PowerServer Cloud apps where you want to give the App user a Web App look & feel! It allows language switching, OCR data location, Image redaction and foreground text Escapement to signify a completed redaction of payment card information. The application also demonstrates security, reporting, work queue management and drag & drop data targeting!

The OCR / Imaging application is a;; driven by the STD framework which allows the PB developer to easily build any GUI Application interface that is required (desired). The framework also allows the PB developer to be exponentially more productive!

In this release ...

Migrated the code from PowerBuilder 2025 GA build 3683 to PowerBuilder 2025 R2 build 6430
Updated the STD Integrated framework to the latest release 2026 R3 build 2026.3.0.481
Tested on MS-Windows 11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278

Bilingual Welcome Screen

Once you are past the the Login dialogue (any password is accepted in this demo app), you are presented with the main working dialogue for the application. Note that the Header band is a DataWindow that allows the application user to a) switch language, b) return to the "home" screen, c) Logout, d) View the App log (if they are an Admin User) and e) enter the App's Help information via an HTML URL. The main working menu on the left is also a DataWindow!

Main application working dialogue using DataWindow top & left menus

The next step would be to select the "Administration" section of the left side DataWindow menu. This allows the App user to a) Manage App users (if they are an App Admin) or b) Reassign work that is "in progress" in the assigned work queue. Note that the latter feature would be used where an App user is on vacation, sick, leaves the department, etc and there is "work in progress" that needs to be reassigned to another valid app user in order for it to be completed.

OCR / Image user security rights administration

The next part could be the reporting section where privileged users and/or App Admin can get information about WIP (work in progress) by various status (completed, redacted, or reviewed). These areas (as well as the above mentioned Administration section), are just a standard PB Tab Control plus Tab Page that includes standard PB DataWindow controls to drive the show!

Example of Tab Page user object with DataWindow reports

The "meat and potatoes" though of the application is within the "Redaction" side of the left menu DataWindow. This brings into play a User Object Tab Control plus Tab Page that contains three DW's a) top main processing menu, b) right side image handling menu DW and c) a center DW that is used for displaying images, OCR, targeting, image manipulation, redaction and task completion, as follows:

Main image handling tab page with surrounding menu DW's!

From here the App user can rotate the images, use the "Find" on the top tool bar to OCR the image to locate possible credit card information, use the right DW menu to manually target credit card information, redact and then complete & save the image back to the DBMS (of course all the time, using PB's BLOB handling commands). Note that because all the dialogues are DataWindow control based, the entire App then becomes Zoomable!

Image flip & rotation handling

Using OCR to locate possible credit card data within a form

Redacted credit card information on the image within the DW!

Final image redacted & saved back the the DB BLOB table.

The STD OCR / Image PowerBuilder example application can now be downloaded from the SourceForge website. Please click here to download & enjoy the APP and the code behind that demonstrates that with PB, you can build any type of App GUI & functionality that you need!

Enjoy ... Chris

Windows Explorer Utility Application - (2026 R3) Released!

2026-09-04T19:17:00.381-07:00

** Hot News **

PowerBuilder - MS-Windows O/S Explorer

Updated for PB 2025 R2 (latest release)!

Build 2025.1.0.62

Software Tool & Die Inc. are please to announce the release of its updated MS-Windows O/S System Explorer utility all written in PowerBuilder 2025 R2 build 6430! This utility demonstrates the power of using the STD Integrated Framework plus MS-Windows SDK calls to locate every running process or service (visible or invisible) in the entire operating system! Plus now introspecting O/S features like drivers, input devices, environment settings, desktop use, etc! The latest release contains the following upgrades ...

Migrated the code from PowerBuilder 2025 GA build 3683 to PowerBuilder 2025 R2 build 6430
Updated the STD Integrated framework to the latest release 2026 R3 build 2026.3.0.481
Updated MS-Window "Notification" support for PB2025 R2 compliance
Improved "Marquee" support via the update to STD Framework 2026R3
Tested on MS-Windows 11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278
The PB 2025 R2 Theme HighDPI feature is now supported.
Can now modify the RibbonBar mode from the App's "Tools" menu
Can now modify the TabbedView mode from the App's "Tools" menu
Can now swap the RibbonBar / Menu mode from the App's "Tools" menu.

Examples ...

Ribbon Bar Menu Mode

Marquee running when long requests are in progress!

Process Explorer Example!

WMI Explorer With Tabbed View UI!

This release includes Project Objects ready for 32 or 64 bit App deployment to Native (P-Code or M-Code), or PowerClient based applications. With the combination of the STD Integrated Framework the MS-Windows Explorer application will now function in either native or Cloud deployment modes!

Explorer updated Help dialogue

Unlock the "Power" in your PowerBuilder and download this free PB2025 R2 utility application. Check out the prowess of the free & open source Integrated framework as well assisting the Windows Explorer application. Click here to download! Then find see how this utility can find every visible and invisible object in all tasks, notifications, processes, background tasks and services running on the MS-Windows O/S machine!

Note: Older versions of the Windows Explorer utility can be found in the "Archive" sub-folder.

Enjoy ... Chris

Send Message Example Applications - (2026 R3) Released!

2026-09-04T12:56:20.886-07:00

** Hot News Item **

Updated Send Message Examples!

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce the new release of an STD Integrated Framework example application that utilizes the STD framework to implement O/S messaging! The Send Message feature inside PowerBuilder has been around since PB version 2.0. However, it is not a well documented and known feature of the PB development tool. The STD Send Message example goes even further by allowing applications to communicate across processes. The STD framework allows the PB developer to easily implement messaging. The framework also allows the PB developer to be exponentially more productive!

The Send Message example application utilizes the latest STD Integrated Framework version 2026.3.0.481 released on 2026-08-19 and the newest Appeon PowerBuilder 2025 R2 release build 6430 to locate external applications. In turn, the framework then facilitates external applications written in PB or almost any development language - to send messages back to PB applications using a Send() command (PB or Windows API).

The download includes three applications, Sender, Receiver and SendReceive. The SendReceive application demonstrates locating any object class in your PB App and its address (handle). Once an object class handle is found the calling object can use the PB Send() command to send it an O/S message. The messaged control can then send back information (ie: its Class Name) to the caller by using another Send() command. Note the PB Send command is the same as the MS-Windows API Send command. So using the Windows API allows non-PB Apps to send messages to a PB App.

SendReceive example using Send() to introspect other objects!

The Integrated framework also allows you to send messages from one application to another (different processes). The Sender and Receiver applications in the download provide this example between applications (processes). These PB applications can be running as either a Native, System Tray or System Task process. They also demonstrate the use of the "Custom User Event" to be able to receive messages between any App and your PB App.

The 2026 R3 Send Message applications have also been updated to use the new PB 2025 R2 HighDPI Themes, TabbedView and DisplayMenuAsRibbonBar features of PB 2025. Then these feature enhancements updated again to the PB 2025 R2's latest GUI.

Sender & Receiver example of inter-process Send Messages

The STD Send Message PowerBuilder example applications can now be downloaded from the SourceForge website. Please click here to download & enjoy!

Enjoy ... Chris

WordSearch Game Application - (2026 R3) Released!

2026-09-04T06:34:02.057-07:00

** Hot News Item **

Updated WordSeach Puzzle Maker App!

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce a brand new release of a WordSearch Puzzle Maker application. The original Classic App (non-framework) has now been updated to use the latest STD Framework. The Classic version was migrated version from PB 2021 to PB 2025 with some GUI image tweaks that was remapped to use the STD Integrated Framework classes!

The Classic version was originally written by me in the PB version 5.0 time frame for my children who had to make these up as their homework assignment in public school. I upgraded this in PB 2021 and now into PB 2025 R2 build 6430. Now my grandchildren use the app to create the same Word Searches for their school mates! The framework version is an MDI based App that solely use pure Framework Class objects to add things like RibbonBar TabbedView, HighDPI, Themes etc features, as follows

Classic version of the Word Search Puzzle Creator!

New Framework version of the Word Search Puzzle Creator!

The Framework version is a refactored classic version replacing the System Classes with the equivalent ones from the STD Framework! This means that the framework based WordSearch maker now has automatically many new features like for example: Zooming, Print Preview, Tabbed Dialogues, Ribbon Bar UI, Logging, Debugging, Themes, Multiple monitor support, Dialogue centring, MS-Window notifications, consistent message box displays, etc

Key Application features ...

Built in PB 5.0 and then migrated to PB 2025 build 3683
Migrated from PB 2025 GA build 3683 to PB 2025 R2 build 6430
Migrated from STD Framework 2025 R3 to the latest framework version 2026 R3
Tested SQL Extract on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278

Framework version of the Word Search Puzzle Creator with Zooming!

The Framework Word Search Puzzle Creator application is a good example of refactoring a classic PB App so that it is all driven by the STD framework. This now allows the PB developer to easily build any GUI Application interface that is required / desired with all the "bells & whistles" just by changing object inheritance. The framework based app now also allows the PB developer to be exponentially more productive in the future!

Complete the puzzle by auto filling the empty squares!

The Framework version of the Word Search Puzzle Creator example applications can now be downloaded from the SourceForge website. Please click here to download & enjoy the App (and your children as well)!

Enjoy ... Chris

TCP/IP Sockets Example Application - (2026 R3) Released!

2026-09-03T18:09:38.125-07:00

** Hot News **

TCP/IP Programming

Updated Socket Application Example for PowerBuilder 2025 R2!

Software Tool & Die Inc. today are very pleased to announce a brand new MS-Windowsc TCP/IP Socket (2026 R3) example application built with the latest STD Integrated Framework (version 2026 R3). This latest release of the Socket application is also built using the latest Appeon PowerBuilder 2025 R2 build 6430 of the PB IDE.

New GUI Look & Feel for PB 2025!

The updated Socket example application now utilizes the latest STD Integrated Framework (version 2026.3.0.481)!

Improvements in this release include:

Migrated App code from PB 2025 GA build 3683 to PB 2025 R2 build6430
Migration of the STD Framework from 2025 R1 to 2026 R3
Now supports HighDPI themes now included in the PB 2025 R2 release!
Improved support for the new DisplayMenuAsRibbonBar feature of PB 2025
Can toggle the RibbonBar feature ON or OFF via the App's "Tools" menu.
Can toggle the TabbedView feature ON or OFF via the App's "Tools" menu.
Can toggle the Ribbon / Menu feature ON or OFF via the App's "Tools" menu.
Tested the Multi-threading code on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278
Tested both M-Code, P-Code, Native EXE's!
Both PowerClient and PowerServer deployment ready

Note: The STD Framework is the only PB framework in existence that is TCP/IP Socket ready!

The STD Socket example application demonstrates a significant enhancement to the the PB developer's toolbox! The Socket example showcases the TCP/IP features in the STD Integrated Framework and more importantly returns the power of Distributed PowerBuilder back to the application developer. The TCP/IP socket support in the STD Frameworks is based on the work by Tom Cervenka's Sockets objects (written in pure PB, dating back to the PowerSoft days) that utilizes MS-Windows socket API's for FTP'ing text, binary data, files etc. between Apps and/or peer-to-peer communications between PB Apps (clients / servers).


PB Server Application - Receiving DWO and buffers from sender

In addition, the updated STD Socket example will also now work when deployed as either a PowerClient or PowerServer App as well!

Socket App talking to counter-part exchanging DataWindow data!

Socket App talking to counter-part exchanging Textual data!

Watch the video!

You can download the updated STD Socket example application from the STD Framework's website by clicking here to get more productive in peer-to-peer communications with PowerBuilder! Note that an "Archive" sub-folder has also been added to this location as well. This folder contains previous versions of the socket example application for older PB releases!

Enjoy!

Regards ... Chris

PS Console Utility Application - (2026 R3) Released!

2026-09-03T08:48:04.358-07:00

** Hot News **

Updated PowerServer Console Application!

Built using the STD Framework!

Software Tool & Die Inc. are very pleased today to announce an updated version of the PowerServer Console (2026 R3) application for use with the new PowerServer 2025 R2 Web API application server! This latest release of the PowerServer Console application is all written in PowerBuilder 2025 R2 and uses the latest STD Integrated Framework version 2026 R3 as well!

In the original release, the PS Console App could only monitor and if need be kill a PS App's "Session". Changes in this new release though now include:

Migrated the App code from PB 2025 GA build 3683 to PB 2025 R2 build 6430
Updated STD Integrated Framework from version 2025.1.0.436 to 2026.3.0.481
Incorporated updated PB 2026 R3 MS-Windows notification utility
Updated the Theme files to PB2025 R2 build 6430 for HighDPI support
Tested the Console code on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278
Updated the console support for the new C# Net DataStore server feature in PB 2025!
Incorporated the newest DisplayMenuAsRibbonBar feature of PB 2025 R2
Incorporated the newest TabbedView feature of PB 2025 R2
Can now switch between Menu / Toolbar mode in the App's "Tools" menu!
Can now switch between Ribbon Bar mode in the App's "Tools" menu!
Can now switch between Tabbed View mode in the App's "Tools" menu!

New Ribbon Bar look and C# .Net DataStore server support!

Customizable connection settings (DNS / IP Address) + Port

PS Console App monitoring PowerServer "Sessions".

One of the new features in this PS Console release now allows you to see all the Web API's within the 2025 R2 PS server itself by using the API tab page. Note that the PS Console's functionality is governed by the built-in exposed "internal" RESTFul web services within the PS 2025 R2's server itself. Check this API documentation feature and also then be able to execute them from inside t2he PS Console application itself, as well as follows:


Console displaying WEB APIs currently available in the PS Server

Example of the Console executing any Web API it sees!

Console showing a called Web API's return JSON data.

Another new feature in the latest version of the PS Console is the ability to check the PowerServer's actual Heath. You can do this by selecting the new Health Tab in the PS Console application, as follows:

New PowerServer Health check feature at work!

Software Tool & Dies have also recently updated the STD Integrated framework to handle PS Server outages without crashing the running PB App when connected to PowerServer. This allows the App User and/or the Support team to see exactly what happened during a PB=>PS App failure. This could be for example: network outage, server not started, killed session, PS processing error, etc) by the type of failure reported and now logged as well! The newer framework also allows PS Apps to perform a PS server Fail Over as well that can now be handled by the PS App when one instance of a PS Server is not available!

You can download the PS2026 R3 Console and latest OrderEntry Demo App for PB/PS2025 R2, as follows:

PS Console: Download OrderEntry: Download

Enjoy ... please let me know what you think & if you have any feature suggestions that you might like for future versions!

Regards ... Chris

Resize Example Application - (2026 R3) Released!

2026-09-03T06:29:23.250-07:00

** Hot News Item **

Updated Resizing Example!

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce an new updated release of an STD Integrated Framework Resizing example (version application that utilizes the STD framework version 2026R3 to implement both Window and DataWindow object resizing! The resizing feature inside this application is all driven by the Window and DataWindow classes from the STD framework.All you need to do is create any Window or DataWindow control by inheriting them from the STD framework and 99% of the coding will already be done for you!

The Resizing application is a PB 2025 demonstration application that showcases the built-in STD Framework's new Window and DataWindow resizing feature (framework version 2025 R2 - now in Beta). You can now accomplish this resizing task with just a few lines of code! The implementation is very similar to the PFC resizing so if you know that framework, then the STD resizing feature will be very easy to assimilate!

Key Application features ...

Upgraded from PB 2025 build 3683 (beta) to PB 2025 R2 build 6430
Upgraded from the STD Framework from 2025 R2 (beta) to 2026 R3
Tested SQL Extract on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278

Window and DataWindow resizing demo dialogue!

The Resizing demo application is all driven by the STD framework which allows the PB developer to easily build any GUI Application interface that is required / desired. The framework also allows the PB developer to be exponentially more productive!

Actual code to start automatic Window resizing!

The STD Resizing example application can now be downloaded from the SourceForge website. Please click here to download & enjoy the APP! The code behind this Resize Example demonstrates that with PB & the STD Framework, you can easily build any type of GUI App & has the functionality that you & your users need!

Enjoy ... Chris

Multi-thread Example Application - (2026 R4) Released!

2026-08-31T18:28:20.831-07:00

** Hot News Item **

PowerBuilder 2023 R2 - Multi-threading Example!

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are pleased to announce the release of an updated STD Integrated Framework MultiThread example application version 2026R4 that utilizes the STD framework to implement Application multi-threading! The multi-threading feature inside PowerBuilder has been around since PB version 5.0 when the Distributed PB feature was first introduced. However, it is not a well documented and known feature of the development tool. The STD Multi-threading example goes even further by allowing applications to utilize the vast resources of Integrated framework while taking multi-threading to a much higher functional level. The framework allows the PB developer to easily implement multi-threading and be a lot more productive at the same time!

The updated Multi-threading example application now utilizes the latest STD Integrated Framework (version 2026.4.0.491) and that supports the new Appeon PowerBuilder 2025 R2 release (build 6430).

Improvements in this release include:

Migration App code from PB 2025 R2 build 6430 to PB 2025 R2 build 6464
Migration of the STD Framework from 2026 R3 to 2026 R4
Now supports the HighDPI themes feature now included in the PB 2025 R2 release!
Updated support for the enhanced DisplayMenuAsRibbonBar feature of PB 2025 R2
Can now toggle the RibbonView feature ON or OFF via the App's Tools menu.
Can now toggle the TabbedView feature ON or OFF via the App's Tools menu.
Tested the Multi-threading code on W11 version 26H2 build 26300.9711
Now PowerClient deployment ready!
Tested both M-Code, P-Code, Native & PowerClient deployments with both 32 & 64 bit EXE's!

Note: The STD Framework is the only PB framework in existence that is both thread aware and multi-thread safe!

MultiThread App's new Look & Feel in PB 2025

MultiThread example using frameworks resource tracking!

The Integrated framework allows each thread to be monitored by the frameworks performance dialogue, write to the O/S Console, log a message in the main thread's application log, share DBMS access, send messages back & forth between threads or between the main thread and its sub-threads, introspect the O/S, etc - just to name a few interesting aspects. Messages may also now be written to the MS-Windows Event Log and MS-Windows Debug logs as well from each sub-thread!

MultiThread example writing to the App's log file

The latest STD multi-threaded PowerBuilder example application can now be downloaded from the SourceForge website. Please click here to download!

For a complete PowerPoint presentation on how Multi-Threading in Appeon PowerBuilder works, please click here to download this PPT presentation.

Enjoy!

Regards ... Chris

Crypto Class Example Application - (2026 R3) Released!

2026-08-30T18:48:49.438-07:00

** Hot News **

STD Foundation Classes

New CRYPTO Class Example Application released!

Version 2026 R3

Software Tool & Die Inc. are very pleased today to announce the release of a new CRYPTO Class Encoding / Decoding example application for PowerBuilder, PowerClient and PowerServer 2022. This latest release of the CRYPTO application is are all written in the latest PowerBuilder 2022 R3 version and is also using the latest STD Integrated Framework (2026 R3 ) using the new "nc_crypto_api_master" object STD framework class.

Crypto Class object examples

The latest release of the Crypto example has had some major updates, as follows:

Crypto class example using PB2025 R2 build 6430
Built using STD Integrated Framework version 2026.3.0.481
Incorporated the HighDPI Theme feature of PB 2025 R2
Incorporates the latest PB notification & Marquee App utilities
Deployment examples in 32/64bit and M-Code / P-Code
Tested the Encrypt code on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278
Ready for PowerClient or PowerServer 2021 deployment as well!

HEX Encryption also supported

Click here to download the example application source code!

Enjoy!

Regards ... Chris

Crypto API Example Application - 2026 R3 Released!

2026-08-30T18:31:12.403-07:00

** Hot News **

STD Foundation Classes

Updated CRYPTO API Example Application released!

Version 2026 R3

Software Tool & Die Inc. are very pleased today to announce the release of an updated CRYPTO API Encoding / Decoding example application for PowerBuilder, PowerClient and PowerServer 2025. This latest release of the CRYPTO application is are all written in the latest PowerBuilder 2025 R2 version and is also using the latest STD Integrated Framework (2025 R3 ) that utilizes the MS-Windows Crypto API's.

The latest release of the Crypto example has had some major updates, as follows:

Updated the example App built from PB2022 R3 build 3487 to PB 2025 R2 build 6430
Updated STD Integrated Framework from version 2024.2.0.395 to 2026.3.0.481
Updated the Theme feature from PB 2022 R3 to PB 2025 R2 for HighDPI themes
Incorporated the latest PB notification & Marquee App utilities
Deployment examples in 32 / 64bit and M-Code / P-Code based EXE's.
Tested the Encrypt code on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278
Ready for PowerClient or PowerServer 2025 deployment as well!

Click here to download the example application source code!

Enjoy!

Regards ... Chris

Colours Utility Application - 2026 R3 Released!

2026-08-29T18:26:07.882-07:00

** Hot News Item **

NEW Colour Generator App!

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce an updated Colour Generator Utility application. This application allows the PowerBuilder developer to select a colour and then it generates both the Colour Code, RGB and HEX (web, ribbon builder, Web DW) colour values for use in PB, C#, Web, Delphi and other Development tools!

The STD Framework was used for building this application. So features like for example: Zooming, Print Preview, Tabbed Dialogues, Ribbon Bar UI, Logging, Debugging, Themes, Multiple monitor support, automatic Dialogue centering, MS-Window notifications, consistent message box displays, etc are already in the application by default just through inheritance!

Key Application features ...

Migrated from PB 2025 build 3726 to PB 2026 R2 build 6430
Migrated from the STD Framework from version 2025 R3 to version 2026 R3
Tested the Colour Generator on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278

The Colour Generator application is a good example of a PB App that it is all driven by the STD framework. This now allows the PB developer to easily build modern GUI Application interfaces that are required / desired with all the "bells & whistles" just by changing object inheritance. The framework based app also allows the PB developer to be exponentially more productive!

To use the Colour Generator Utility application, just click on a colour in either category. A hand icon will appear next to your selection and then the resulting colour values will be generated, as follows.

Colour Selection Generator in action!

The Colour Generator Utility application can now be downloaded from the SourceForge website.

Please click here to download & enjoy the APP!

Enjoy ... Chris

Capture Demo Application - 2026 R3 Released!

2026-08-28T18:10:34.686-07:00

** Hot News Item **

Updated Digital Capture Application Released!

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce a brand new Digital Image Capture application built from the STD Framework for PowerBuilder. This application allows the PowerBuilder application to select an object class (ie: Window, Application, Screen, Control, etc) and capture them as a digital image using MS-Windows API's!

The STD Framework was used for building this application. So features like for example: Zooming, Print Preview, Tabbed Dialogues, Ribbon Bar UI, Logging, Debugging, Themes, Multiple monitor support, automatic dialogue centering, MS-Window notifications, consistent message box displays, etc are already in the application by default just through inheritance!

Key Application features ...

Built using PB 2025 R2 and the STD Framework 2026 R3
Upgraded App for PB 2025 R2 build 6430
Demonstrates the use of the "nc_capture_master" NVUO to perform image captures
Tested the Capture Application on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9278

The Capture application is another great example of a PB App that it is all driven by the STD framework. This allows the PB developer to easily build modern GUI Application interfaces and features that are required / desired with all the "bells & whistles" just by changing object inheritance. The framework based app also allows the PB developer to be exponentially more productive!

To use the Capture Demo application, just click on a command button to generate a digital image of an application resource (ie; Window, App, Control, etc). The Capture application uses a new User Object (NVUO) named "nc_capture_master". You can direct the NVUO to capture any object class as a digital image and return it either as Blob data or optionally, copy the Digital Image to the MS-Windows clipboard, as follows.

Capture Demo App allows you to generate a digital image of App classes!

Select a Capture Area

Confirmation that a capture is now in the Clipboard!

View the digital capture in your favourite imaging tool!

Tip: You can also optionally have the digital image capture of any class into a PB Blob variable where you could write this into a DB Blob column, external file, etc under PowerScript control. Check out the PowerScript in the various Command Buttons's!

The Capture Demo application can now be downloaded from the SourceForge website. Please click here to download & enjoy the App! Note that the "Beta" sub-folder holds the PB 2025 R2 version of the Capture Demo application as well.

Enjoy ... Chris

CDPlayer Application - 2026 R3 Released!

2026-08-28T16:34:47.434-07:00

** Hot News **

Updated version of the PowerBuilder CD player!

Built from the STD Integrated framework!

Software Tool & Die Inc.are please to announce the release of an updated Compact Disc Player (version 2026.3.0.70) application all written in PowerBuilder 2025 R2 build 6430! This application demonstrates the power of using the STD Integrated Framework plus the all the Unicode based MCI (Multimedia Command Interface) API's now residing in the base classes. The updated application can be deployed as either a P-Code ot M=Code Win32 / Win64 native application or even a PowerClient application and allows the user to control music from any CD/DVD player attached to their PC.

The amazing changes to this release were the refactoring of the previous code to dovetail into the latest STD Integrated Framework version 2026 R3 for PB release 2025 R2! New features include: a) can now reside in the O/S's System Tray; b) can be compiled for the first time into a 64 bit EXE; c) can be compiled into either a 32 or 64 bit application; d) complied into M-Code or P-Code, e) W11 ready and; f) Theme ready!

Not only is this a "kool" application to run - it demonstrates important low-level control of the O/S that you can easily achieve using the STD Framework's extensive external WinAPI's and support for PB 2025 R2's latest features. When you add the STD framework to the PB development mix - a whole new horizon of application possibilities emerges!

If you would like to enjoy the Native M-Code or P-Code versions of the above CD Player application, please visit the SourceForge website download the CD Player from this link. Note that all the applications and the framework itself in the SourceForge project are free & open source!

To commemorate the release of the various Star Wars movies, the CD Player has now been enhanced with various sound effects that salute this great story-line & movie franchise.

I hope that you enjoy the updated Star-wars CD Player edition!

You seek a PowerBuilder Master.
Know him I do,
Find him I will!
Hmmm .. you seek Chris Pollach

PSR Example Utility Application - 2026 R3 Released!

2026-08-27T17:52:20.949-07:00

** Hot News **

PSR Viewer Application updated for PB 2025 R3!

Software Tool & Die Inc. are please to announce a new version of the PowerSoft Report (PSR) Viewer (v2026.1.0.45) application built from the latest free open source STD Integrated Foundation Classes and specially designed for Appeon PowerBuilder version PB2025 R2 build 6430! The Foundation Classes provide most of the PSR functionality natively by having this application wrapped around the framework's DataWindow Control ancestor class! The PSR Viewer allows the user to view DataWindow reports that have been saved in PB's proprietary PSR format from either Appeon PowerBuilder or InfoMaker products. A PSR file is actually the DataWindow Object source along with its Primary data buffer contents.

PSR App example showing Zooming, Rulers & Print Preview

Included in this new release are also the ability to write to the MS-Windows 10/11 "Notification area" and also drag & drop external PSR files into the PSR Viewer for display. A much more intuitive way of working!

MS-Windows 10 Notification


Drag & Drop external PSR report files directly into the PSRViewer!

Supports new PB 2025 R2 HighDPI themes...

PSR Viewer using the new Orange Theme from PB 2025 R2 release!

The new PSRViewer.exe application version 2026 R3 is built using the latest version of the STD Integrated Foundation Class library (2026.1.0.467) utilizing PowerBuilder 2025 R2's build 6430 feature set. The revised PSRViewer has also been extensively tested on the latest W11 Operating System version 25H2 build 26200.9168 with no issues. The new PSRViewer also includes a new PowerClient project object for App deployment via that mechanism as well as compiled EXE. The application can also be run in either M-Code or P-Code compilations and in either 32 or 64 bit mode as well.

The updated PSR Viewer application for Appeon PB2023 R3 can be downloaded from the SourceForge web site ... just click here! For older PB versions of the PSR viewer you can download them from here.

Enjoy!

Enjoy ... Chris

FileDrop Example Application - 2026 R3 Released!

2026-08-27T17:39:49.136-07:00

** Hot News Item **

Updated External Files Drag & Drop Example!

Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD) are please to announce the new release of an STD Integrated Framework External File Drop application version 2026 R3 that utilizes the framework to implement External File Drag & Drop! The ability to drag & drop into a PowerBuilder application via the STD Framework has been feature for over a decade. However, there was not a detailed example on how to perform this action except in the OrderEntry example application. The STD framework implements this by allowing the PB Developer to just set one property, coding one event and then directing the file name data to any standard native PB control!

New features in this release...

File Drop App version 2026.3.0.165 built using PB2025 R2 build 6430

Uses the latest STD Integrated Framework version 2026.3.0.481

Updated to support the latest PB2025 R2 HighDPI Theme feature

Incorporates MS-Windows notification utility built in PB 2025 GA

Incorporates MS-Windows Marquee utility built in PB 2025 GA

Includes deployment examples for 32 & 64bit M-Code / P-Code

Tested the FileDrop code on W11 version 25H2 build 26200.9168

File Drop App is also PowerClient or PowerServer deployment ready!

Improved the DisplayMenuAsRibbonBar feature found PB 2025 R2

Can now toggle the RibbonBar feature ON or OFF using the "Tools" menu

Can now toggle the TabbedView feature ON or OFF using the "Tools" menu

Can toggle the TabbedView ON/OFF and also change its Look & Feel in the INI file as follows...

[TabbedView]
Mode=Y/N
FaceName = "Tahoma"
ShowCloseButton =Y
ShowContextMenu=Y
ShowIcon=Y
ShowSeparator=Y
ShowPowerTips=Y
ShowText=Y
TextSize=-8

New GUI Look & Feel automatic Ribbon Bar!

The External File Drag & Drop example application utilizes the latest STD Integrated Framework version 2026.3.0.165 release and the latest Appeon PowerBuilder 2025 R2 release build 6430 to locate external files dragged into any PB Application. In turn, the framework facilitates identifying external files coming into a PB application. This latest framework now also detects if the PB App is running in "ADMIN Mode" as well. This is important because external file drag & drop cannot be performed while the application is in that mode.

A list of External Files can be directed to any PB control!

The Integrated framework allows the PB developer to enable the External Files Drag & Drop by just setting one property. The PB developer then just needs to code one event to handle the external file drop, as follows:

Three easy steps... a) Property ON, b) Code framework event, c) Use function to get file names!

The STD External File Drag & Drop PowerBuilder example application can now be downloaded from the SourceForge website. Please click here to download

Enjoy!

Regards ... Chris

DDE Example Application - 2026 R3 Released!

2026-08-27T17:19:27.311-07:00

** Hot News **

Updated PowerBuilder DDE Example Application

Built using the latest STD Framework!

Software Tool & Die Inc. are very pleased today to announce an updated DDE example application version 2026.3.0.20 that demonstrate a fully working Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) Client and Server application! This latest release of the DDE Client / Server applications are are all written in the latest PowerBuilder version 2025 R2 that fully utilize the latest STD Integrated Framework version 2026 R3.

In this updated release, the DDE Demo Applications includes the following changes:

Built using PB2025 R2 build 6430
Uses the latest STD Integrated Framework v2026.3.0.481
Updated to support the PB2025 R2 Theme feature supporting HighDPI
Incorporates MS-Windows notification utility built in PB 2025 R2
Incorporates MS-Windows Marquee utility built in PB 2025 R2
Includes deployment examples for 32 & 64bit M-Code / P-Code
Tested the DDE code on W11 version 25H2 build26200.9168
Both PowerClient or PowerServer 2025 R2 deployment ready as well!

Actual DDE Client and DDE Server in action!

The deployed EXE's for the DDE Client and DDE Server are also included in the DDE Example Applications download. You can run either the Client or Server in mixed modes. For example a 32 bit client and a 64 bit server (or vise versa), a P-Code client and an M-Code server (or vise versa), or any combination of the various DDE EXE's built from the STD Framework. The DDE features will work with any combination of the above EXE's. So this feature is just another tool in the PBToolBox that PB Developers can use to accomplish inter-application communication!

You can download the new STD Framework DDE Demo App for PB2025 R2 build 6430, as follows:

DDE Demo App: Download

STD Framework: Download (latest OrderEntry Demo App that uses the framework!)

Note: Older DDE examples and STD Frameworks are available in their respective "Archive" sub-folders found in the above links.

Enjoy ... please let me know what you think & if you have any feature suggestions that you might like me to add for future releases!

Regards ... Chris