Using PL/SQL Code to Activate Navigation Buttons

The next series of steps is to make the navigation buttons on the Wiz_bar canvas work. This requires a When-Button-Pressed trigger for each button. The buttons will use the Wizard library procedures to perform the needed functionality. Exhibit 2.7 illustrates the PL/SQL for the Cancel button. This code block first clears the wizard of any data, without committing it. The Wizard_finish package procedure hides (i.e., closes) the Wizard window. However, the developer must navigate to an appropriate item or the current page will redisplay. The Exit_form subprogram performs this function. If you want to return to a different canvas within the form, use the Go_item or Go_block built-ins. Create a When-Button-Pressed trigger for the Cancel button using the code block in Exhibit 2.7. Exhibit 2.7: PL/SQL Code for the Cancel Button When-Button-Pressed Trigger
-- This removes the Wizard Window. clear_form (no_commit); Wizard.Wizard_Finish; exit_form; -- If you would like to display a base canvas rather than leaving -- the form, use a go_item or go_block subprogram rather than -- the exit_form End Listing

Exhibit 2.8 illustrates the PL/SQL code block used in the Back button's trigger. This trigger navigates to the previous wizard page. It uses the Wizard.Page_number package variable to compute the previous page number. It also has provisions to prevent the user from navigating to the Welcome page. The user will hear a bell alarm and will see a message if this navigation is attempted. You should notice that the actual navigation between pages is with the Go_item built-in. The Wizard procedures do not perform navigation. Navigation within the wizard is done in the tradition Forms manner. Create a When-Button-Pressed trigger for the Back button using the code block in Exhibit 2.8. Exhibit 2.8: PL/SQL Code for the Back Button When-Button-Pressed Trigger
declare -- Computes the number of the previous wizard page next_page number default Wizard.Page_Number-1; begin -- Navigate to the appropriate page if next_page = 1 then -- The following two lines prevent the user from navigating to the Welcome Page.bell; message (You are on the first Employee Entry page'); else if next_page = 2 then go_item(EMPLOYEE.PAYROLL_NUMBER'); elsif next_page = 3 then go_item(EMPLOYEE.SOCIAL_SECURITY_NUMBER'); elsif next_page = 4 then go_item(EMP_TOOLS.PURCHASE_DATE'); end if; -- Set the page number to previous page and display it Wizard.Wizard_Show(next_page); -- The name of the new canvas is in package variable -- Wizard.PageName

end if; end;

Exhibit 2.9: PL/SQL Code Block for the Next Button's When-ButtonPressed Trigger
declare next_page number default Wizard.Page_Number+1; begin --Navigate to the appropriate page if next_page = 2 then go_item(EMPLOYEE.PAYROLL_NUMBER'); -- Set the page number to previous page and display it Wizard.Wizard_Show(next_page); -- The name of the new canvas is in package variable -- Wizard.PageName elsif next_page = 3 then go_item(EMPLOYEE.SOCIAL_SECURITY_NUMBER'); Wizard.Wizard_Show(next_page); elsif next_page = 4 then go_item(EMP_TOOLS.PURCHASE_DATE'); Wizard.Wizard_Show(next_page); elsif next_page = 5 then go_item(employee.holder'); Wizard.Wizard_Show(next_page); else bell; message(You are on the last page of the Wizard'); end if; end;