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Working with Data Type and Event Encoders

The basic job of an encoder is to render an object into a string, number or Boolean form that PL/SQL can handle and visa versa. The tables in this section provide a list of all of the data type encoders that the enhanced JavaBean support is provided with. These encoders are called automatically by Forms and manage the translation of the basic PL/SQL data types into the supported Java types and objects, and visa-versa.  If the predefined encoders described here do not meet your needs, you can create your own custom encoders.

The string representation shown here is always available for all types and so the various versions of FBEAN.GET_PROPERTY, SET_PROPERTY, and INVOKE that provide a VARCHAR2 interface can be used with any data type. If you use a version of a Built-in that returns number or boolean, the enhanced JavaBean support converts from the base string form to that particular data type for you.

Predefined Data Type Encoders

Java type Convenience PL/SQL Type String representation
java.lang.Boolean BOOLEAN "TRUE" or "FALSE"
java.lang.Character VARCHAR2 "A", where A is any ASCII character"
java.lang.String VARCHAR2 "ABC"
java.lang.Byte NUMBER 0" or "1"
java.lang.Double NUMBER "4545"
java.lang.Float NUMBER "45.45"
java.lang.Integer NUMBER "45"
java.lang.Long NUMBER "454545"
java.lang.Short NUMBER "4"
java.awt.Color VARCHAR2 "255 255 255" - String containing Red, Green and Blue elements separated by spaces
java.awt.Dimension VARCHAR2 "x y" (space in between) for Dimension(x,y)
java.awt.Insets VARCHAR2 "top left bottom right" for Insets(top, left, bottom, right)
java.awt.Point VARCHAR2 "x y" for Point(x,y)
java.awt.Rectangle VARCHAR2 "height width x y" for Rectangle(height, width,x,y)
java.awt.Image VARCHAR2 URL for image file - one way transfer from file name to image object, e.g. OK for SET but not GET
Any Array of a supported type VARCHAR2 comma separated String: "1,2,3" or "foo,bar" or "1 2, 2, 1" (for array of two Points)

Predefined Event Encoders

Event Type Possible CUSTOM_ITEM_EVENT(s) DATA parameter Payload
java.awt.event.ActionEvent ACTION_PERFORMED no payload
java.awt.event.ComponentEvent COMPONENT_EVENT 
COMPONENT_HIDDEN 
COMPONENT_MOVED 
COMPONENT_RESIZED
COMPONENT_SHOWN
no payload
java.awt.event.ContainerEvent COMPONET_EVENT
COMPONENT_ADDED
COMPONENT_REMOVED
no payload
java.awt.event.FocusEvent FOCUS_EVENT
FOCUS_GAINED
FOCUS_LOST
no payload
java.awt.event.ItemEvent ITEM_EVENT

no payload

ITEM_STATE_CHANGED "SELECTED" or "DESELECTED"
java.awt.event.KeyEvent KEY_EVENT
KEY_PRESSED
KEY_RELEASED
KEY_TYPED

"KeyCode"

java.awt.event.MouseEvent MOUSE_EVENT
MOUSE_CLICKLED
MOUSE_DRAGGED
MOUSE_ENTERED
MOUSE_EXITED
MOUSE_FIRST
MOUSE_LAST
MOUSE_MOVED
MOUSE_PRESSED
MOUSE_RELEASED

"x y,clickCount"

(Where x & y represent the location, and clickCount number of clicks)

java.beans.PropertyChangeEvent PROPERTY_CHANGED_EVENT "PropertyName"
java.awt.event.TextEvent TEXT_EVENT
TEXT_VALUE_CHANGED
no payload
java.awt.event.WindowEvent WINDOW_EVENT
WINDOW_ACTIVATED
WINDOW_CLOSED
WINDOW_CLOSING
WINDOW_DEACTIVATED
WINDOW_DEICONIFIED
WINDOW_ICONIFIED
WINDOW_OPENED
"WindowName"

Creating Custom Encoders