Introduction

FlashCONNECT 3.0 is a middleware package that connects FlashBASIC business rules with TCP/IP-based external components such as Web servers and mvDesigner servers.

Design Goals

FlashCONNECT design goals include:

• It should be easy for a FlashBASIC programmer to understand and use FlashCONNECT.

• The library should be compatible with tools such as Microsoft Front Page, Macromedia Dreamweaver, and Javascript.

• FlashCONNECT follows existing standards to maintain compatibility with existing and future browsers and Web servers.

• Provide the ability to create static, active and 'intelligent' Web pages.

Implementation Strategy and Documentation Overview

FlashCONNECT consists of an API, subroutines which implement the API, and various run-time variables that control application flow.  This online help details the various public subroutines and variables used by FlashCONNECT and includes the following topics:

• Include Subroutines

• Input Subroutines

• Output Subroutines

• HTML Variables

• Miscellaneous Variables

• Commands

• Automated Transaction Services (ATS)

• Variables

• mvDesigner Variables

Typical Usage

A typical Web page is created using FlashCONNECT calls in this order:

1. include www,bp, w3include

Inserted once, usually toward the beginning of the program.

2. w3HtmlInit

Called once per form to select a template. This provides a common look and feel for all pages in an application. See the Standard Look and Feel section in the Installation, Administrator's, and Programmer's Guides for more information about this topic.

3. w3HtmlHeader

Sets up the Web page heading.

4. w3Html* and w3Print subroutines

Builds the Web page body.

5. w3HtmlFooter             

Closes off the Web page.

6. w3Input

Sends the Web page to the user, and waits for a response or for a timeout.

7. w3GetVal

Retrieves the data the user entered in the form.