1.2 How does it work?
A LANSA Web Function or WEBEVENT applications can use LANSA's Web component technology and graphic variables to define the application interface or presentation. A LANSA developer can manually define these Web components and variables using the PC-based LANSA Web utilities. To do this, the developer must know the names of the specialized variables and must understand the details of the component architecture.
The Web Functions Wizard provides an alternative development interface for customizing your LANSA WEBEVENT applications. The Wizard is designed to be a much simpler and more productive developer interface. It removes the dependence on the developer's knowledge of HTML, JavaScript and the lower level technical architecture.
The Web Functions Wizard uses Web-based technology instead of the PC-based Web utilities. The Wizard is essentially a set of LANSA functions which generate the same Web components and variables a Web developer using the PC-based Web utilities might generate. The difference is the interface. The Wizard uses an intuitive interface to collect the information required to build the Web components and variables instead of requiring the developer to manually code HTML or JavaScript and have intimate knowledge of the LANSA WEBEVENT architecture.
The Wizard is used to customize the presentation and navigation used in your LANSA WEBEVENT application. Once you have built your LANSA processes and WEBEVENT functions, the Wizard can quickly transform the presentation layer. Again, there is no manual coding of HTML and your functions do not require recompilation.
Developers now have a choice of development interfaces.
Any work developed using the Wizard can also be customized manually using the PC-based utilities.