Release 10.1A: OpenEdge Development:
ADM and SmartObjects

Dynamic versus static SmartDataBrowsers

The primary difference between a dynamic and a static SmartDataBrowser is that a given dynamic SmartDataBrowser can be configured to display and update the query of any SmartDataObject, while a static SmartDataBrowser is specific to a particular SmartDataObject: The two types of SmartDataBrowsers are described in more detail below:

The dynamic SmartDataBrowser displays and updates records from a set of fields that are determined at run time. At run time, the ADM assigns the display and update fields based on the current values of the SmartDataBrowser’s DisplayedFields and EnabledFields instance properties and takes the query from the SmartDataObject to which the SmartDataBrowser is linked. This is why you can configure a dynamic SmartDataBrowser to display and update the query of any SmartDataObject.

You can set the DisplayedFields and EnabledFields properties of the dynamic SmartDataBrowser at design time through the Dynamic SmartDataBrowser Properties dialog box. If DisplayedFields and EnabledFields are unset at run time, their values are taken from the associated SmartDataObject’s DataColumns and UpdatableColumns properties. For details, see the "Setting the dynamic SmartDataBrowser field properties" section.

Because a dynamic SmartDataBrowser instance’s display and update fields are not assigned until run time, it appears at design time as a browse widget with no columns.

The static SmartDataBrowser displays and updates records from a set of fields that are assigned at design time. At design time, the wizard sets the display and update fields, as well as the data source’s query, based on the SmartDataObject to which the SmartDataBrowser is linked. This is why a given static SmartDataBrowser is specific to a particular SmartDataObject.

Because a static SmartDataBrowser instance’s display and update fields are assigned at design time, it appears at design time as a browse widget with one column for each field selected in the wizard.

Another significant difference is that you create masters for static SmartDataBrowsers but not for dynamic SmartDataBrowsers. This is because a dynamic SmartDataBrowser uses the SmartDataObject to which it is linked at run time and, therefore, it does not need a master.