Omnis 7 Frequently Asked Questions

Well they are too numerous to describe in any detail here, but they include: 7 new classes (aka formats) including schema, query, table (for improved SQL data access), toolbar, task, object, and code classes; many new and improved design tools including a new library and class (format) Browser, a new SQL browser, the new Component Store, Property Manager, Notation Inspector, and Data file browser; many new window controls including new string and data grids, icon arrays and tree lists, tab and page panes, and 20 or so external components or window controls (added to Omnis as separate DLLs or code fragments); a completely new API which means you can add your own external components very easily; and literally hundreds of small fixes and enhancements. Since Omnis Studio is built on the Omnis 7 code-base it inherits all the past Omnis fixes and enhancements which provides a very stable development environment. For the benefit of existing Omnis 7 users, we have prepared a document giving a detailed description of the new features in Omnis Studio.

Yes, Omnis Studio converts Omnis 7.3 applications automatically, you simply open your old Omnis 7.3 library in Omnis Studio and the converter is launched automatically. The majority of simple applications will convert without problem, and they will function in exactly the same way as before. However some large or more complex applications will require some attention following conversion. The effort involved in the conversion process must be weighed against the longer term benefits of upgrading to Omnis Studio and taking advantage of its new features. You can even convert applications created with Omnis 7 version 2 or earlier to Omnis Studio by first converting them to Omnis 7.3. A similar case applies to converting Omnis data files: Omnis Studio converts Omnis 7.3 data files automatically, while you must convert data files created with Omnis 7 version 2 or earlier to Omnis Studio by first converting them to Omnis 7.3. For very old Omnis data files, such as those created with Omnis 3, 5, or in some cases Omnis 7 version 1 or 2, it may be worth exporting the data from your old data file and importing it into a new Omnis Studio data file. A manual is supplied with Omnis Studio that describes the conversion process step-by-step, all the programming and GUI changes in Omnis Studio, and describes all the new features in Studio. This is designed to help you through the conversion process.

Yes you can but the fewer conversion processes an application has been through the more successfully it will convert to Omnis Studio. For very old Omnis applications, such as those created with Omnis 3, 5, or even Omnis 7 version 1 or 2, it might be worth converting a library containing your file formats only, then in Omnis 7.3 creating basic windows and reports based on those formats, and then converting the new library to Omnis Studio, or alternatively doing all the GUI design work in Studio. Will Omnis Studio break my old code? The majority of code in your Omnis 7.3 application will continue to work in Omnis Studio, in fact the converter will convert some pieces of code as necessary and highlight any potential problem areas. We recommend that you convert your old application and, when time permits, rewrite parts of it to take advantage of the new objects and OO features in Omnis Studio.

No. All the OO features added in Omnis Studio are there to be used if you want. The majority of code in your old library will continue to work in Omnis Studio. For example, Omnis Studio has a new event handling mechanism, but your old event handling code (If #CLICK..End If) will continue to work. So you can convert your application and rewrite the code at your own pace, while continuing to sell your Omnis 7.3 solutions. Of course we recommend you use the new OO way of doing things in Omnis Studio when adding new functionality, or if you’re starting from scratch, then you and your customers get the benefits from the new OO and component technologies in Studio, and you stay ahead of your competitors too.