Using the WPF Client Container for Windows Platform

The WPF Client Container operates through a WPF Client executable file and is controlled by an RTXML configuration file.

The WPF Client executable requires a start parameter to be supplied that contains the location of the executable file and the location of the RTXML file. A default version of the RTXML file is generated with each WPF Technology folder specified in the System Modeler. The RTXML file is placed in the Access Layer API Deploy folder, which is located under the Project folder for the WPF project, and is named <TechnologyFolderName>_Config.rtxml.

When the WPF Client executable starts, it reads the content in the <TechnologyFolderName>_Config.rtxml file and establishes a session with the host application.

The WPF Client Container executable is run through either of the following,

To run the WPF Client Container executable by using the desktop shortcut, perform the following:

  1. Create a shortcut of the WPF Client Container executable on your desktop by performing the following:

    1. Right-click the WpfClient.exe file located in the Bin folder.

    2. Select Create Shortcut from the context menu that appears.

      The WPF Client Container shortcut icon appears on your desktop.

  2. Right-click the shortcut and select Properties.

  3. The Properties window appears.

  4. In the Target box, enter the location of the WPF Client executable and the location of the <TechnologyFolderName>_Config.rtxml file.

    For example, “<WPFClient Installation Path>\WpfClient.exe” "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\Visual Studio 2017\Projects\<TechnologyFolderName>\Access Layer API Deploy\WpfClient_Config.rtxml"

    Note: If you do not specify the location of the WPF Client executable and the RTXML configuration file in the desktop shortcut, the error message “Configuration file missing the minimum required settings! Closing down...” appears.

  5. Click OK.

You can setup different shortcuts for each system you might access or for accessing only a certain ispec, report, or command.

To run the WPF Client Container executable using the System Modeler solution, perform the following:

  1. Right-click the <SystemName>.<TechnologyFolderName>.Views project in the Solution Explorer window, and then select Properties.

    The <SystemName>.<TechnologyFolderName>.Views tab page appears.

  2. From the left pane, select Debug.

  3. Select the Start external program option, and then enter the location of the WPFClient.exe file in the corresponding box.

    For example, C:\Program Files (x86)\Unisys\AB Suite 7.0\Bin\WpfClient.exe.

  4. In the Command line segment box, enter the location of the RTXML file.

    For example, C:\Users\appadminuser\Documents\Visual Studio 2017\Projects\<Project_Name>\Access Layer API Deploy\<Technology Folder name>_Config.rtxml

  5. Right-click the <SystemName>.<TechnologyFolderName>.Views in the Solution Explorer window, and then select Set as StartUp Project.

  6. Right-click the <SystemName>.<TechnologyFolderName>.Views project, point to Debug, and then select Start New Instance.

    If you access only one system at a time, the RTXML configuration file should only have one “system” defined in it. If you access multiple systems, a switch directive is sent from a host application, which necessitates you to configure the required systems. This loads the required DataModel, DataViewModel, and Views assemblies that are configured for the system that you want to switch to. You must include all systems that you might switch between in the configuration file. Refer to the Agile Business Suite Client Framework Programming Reference Manual for more information on the WPF Client Container and the functions with the WPF Client.

When the WPF Client starts, it reads the specified <TechnologyFolderName>_Config.rtxml file to set up the connection parameters required to connect to the runtime system through the Access Layer API. The Runtime Server locates the machine where the runtime system is deployed. The DownloadServerUrl and Assemblies configuration information locates the required DataModel, DataViewModel, and Views assemblies and dynamically loads them into the WPF Client application.

After a connection has been made to the runtime system, the toolbar controls and the Selection dialog box appear. The Selection dialog box displays a list of the available ispecs that you can select. Selecting an ispec from this dialog box executes a recall of the ispec in the host application, and then the corresponding screen appears in the WPF Client Container.