Understanding Application Classes

You can create Application Packages in Application Designer. These packages contain application classes (and may contain other packages also). An application class, at its base level, is just a PeopleCode program. However, using the Application Packages, you can create your own classes, and extend the functionality of the existing PeopleCode classes.

The application classes provide capability beyond that offered by the existing PeopleCode classes. Unlike the existing classes, a subclass can inherit all the properties and methods of the class it extends. This provides all the advantages of true object-oriented programming:

• easier to debug because all the pieces are separate

• easier to maintain because functionality is gathered into a single place

• extensible by subclass

In addition, the application classes provide more structure. Using the Application Packages, you have a clear definition of each class, as well as its listed properties and methods. This makes it easier to create a complex program that uses many functions.