GDC 2.21 new features

Discover the new features and changes in functionality introduced with Genero Desktop Client (GDC) 2.21.

Important:

This page covers only those new features introduced with the Genero Desktop Client version specified in the page title. Check prior new features pages if you migrate from an earlier version. Make sure to also read the upgrade guide corresponding to this Genero version.

Important:

This version of Genero Desktop Client is desupported, use a more recent version of the product.

Corresponding upgrade guide: GDC 2.21 upgrade guide.

Previous new features page: GDC 2.20 new features.

Table 1. General
Overview Reference

You can run Genero 2.11 applications in GDC 2.21, and your application behavior will be the same as in GDC 2.11.

This can be useful if you need to mix FGL 2.11 and 2.2x installations; you only need to install GDC 2.21.

 See the GDC 2.21 upgrade guide.

The internal HTTP stack has been rewritten to support and restore pre-2.20 features like Kerberos Support, NTLM Single Sign-On, or Client certificate.

 No additional reference.
The GDC can resend the http request when a network error occurs. While available in previous versions, it now can retry in more situations (such as an HTTP error 500). See Connection configuration options.
Table 2. Windows
Overview Reference

With prior versions, The GDC automatically displayed scrollbars around the form when the window size is larger than the desktop size and the GDC is maximized.

This feature now works when the window is not maximized. When the window is larger, GDC will automatically resize the window to the size of the desktop (height or width) and display scrollbars around the form.
Note:

This feature should be used carefully. A Desktop application is not a web application, and having scrollbars (especially horizontal ones) around the form is not common. As GDC will try to always show the current field, this may lead to lots of scrolling when you move from one field to another if the fields are not all visible.

Tip:

Adapt your forms to the smallest desktop size you target. Automatic scrollbars should only appear for "accident" cases.

To avoid automatic scrollbars when a window is not maximized, use the formScroll style attribute:
<Style name="Window.myWindow">
  <StyleAttribute name="formScroll" value="no">
</Style>
The action panel (menu/dialog) has been reviewed to achieve automatic scrollbars, resulting in a slightly different look; however, the main behavior remains the same.
  • Navigation button differ when on the first or last row.
  • A "plus" button has been added to display all remaining items with a single click.
  • An animation shows the scroll direction.
 For information on windows and window presentation styles, see the Genero Business Development Language User Guide.

As well as "maximized", windows can be started minimized. Set the windowState style attribute to minimized.

 For information on window presentation styles, see the Genero Business Development Language User Guide.
Table 3. Widgets
Overview References

DateEdit now has a presentation style named "showCurrentMonthOnly". This style configures whether the calendar shows only the current months, or displays (in light grey) days of the previous and next month.

See the DateEdit style attributes section in the Genero Business Development Language User Guide.

You can now set a range on the SpinEdit widget with the new attributes valueMin and valueMax.

 See the SpinEdit item type section in the Genero Business Development Language User Guide.

Image field now supports style attribute "alignment" to define where the picture should be located when the container (widget) is bigger.

 See the Image style attributes section in the Genero Business Development Language User Guide.

Window supports new style attribute "toolBarDocking" to define if the toolbars are movable and floatable.

 See the windows style attributes section in the Genero Business Development Language User Guide.
Table 4. Presentation styles
Overview Reference

You can now set a point font size with a non-integer value, for example 8.3pt.

 See the Font sizes section in the Genero Business Development Language User Guide.
Table 5. Monitor
Overview Reference

The Connection tab now displays both the application name and text.

 See the Connection configuration options topic.

Users now receive an error message if the number of user licenses is exceeded. User Limit exceeded is now a default terminal string, so the end user has feedback if the application can't start because of a license issue.

 No additional reference.

Debugging information has been added to the debug console when a shortcut starts. Analyzing this log may help you to understand what GDC did, and why a connection may have failed.

 No additional reference.

Genero Desktop Client 2.21 is now supported on Windows™ 7 platform.

 No additional reference.

GDC 2.21 has been adapted to work with WinSSHd 5.0.9 (some changes in the server have been done by Bitvise too, so you'll need to upgrade the server part to at least version 5.0.9.)

 No additional reference.
Table 6. FrontEnd functionCall
Overview Reference

"Hardcopy" is now available as a frontCall.

 See the Hardcopy section in the Genero Business Development Language User Guide.

"launchurl" frontCall signature has the same signature for a Genero web client and the Genero Desktop Client (GDC)

 See the LaunchURL section in the Genero Business Development Language User Guide.
Table 7. Miscellaneous
Overview Reference

Windows® Only: The HardCopy menu item is now available in the system menu for MDI child windows.

 No additional reference.

Windows now uses the MSI installer system.

 No additional reference.
File association and start menu entries help to improve desktop integration:
  • .gdc files are associated with the Genero Desktop Client to be run directly in your favorite explorer (Windows, Linux®).
  • Linux installer creates entries in your desktop start menu.
 No additional reference.