Product Profile

True DataControl is an ActiveX control that serves as an OLE DB/ADO data source for building applications. It is a “better data source control;” a replacement for standard data sources such as the Microsoft ADO data control (ADODC) and Visual Basic's DataEnvironment. It is mainly designed for Visual Basic 6.0, but can also be used in other environments, including Web-based applications.

True DataControl Lite (TDataLite) is a freeware version of True DataControl. It can be downloaded from the ComponentOne Web site, http://www.componentone.com, and used free of charge. See True DataControl Lite for more information.

True DataControl is not just a new data source; it is a data source with logic. It enables developers to specify application logic where it belongs – in the data source. Enforcing application logic in the source as a set of business rules frees developers from the need to code all kinds of event procedures in various bound controls. It makes the application robust, manageable, and scalable.

True DataControl also provides important improvements to standard ADO regarding its performance and stability issues. It amends ADO by rectifying serious problems that were plaguing developers, such as long delays on startup, bugs in adUseServer mode, adding and deleting rows in batch update mode, etc.

True DataControl provides important built-in features that are ready for use in applications. These include standard database functions and such advanced features as ad-hoc queries, and Find and Bookmarks dialogs. These are all accessible to the user with a set of toolbar-style buttons.

The True DataControl Query Mode enables you to add full ad-hoc query capabilities, in other words, Query By Example, to your applications in a matter of minutes. It includes the Filter By Form functionality found in a Microsoft Access database, but goes much further, providing this functionality in a much more flexible and versatile way. In fact, this feature is so useful that it alone justifies using True DataControl as your data source!

True DataControl enables Rapid Application Development in an easy, robust, code-free manner. One of its main goals is to eliminate the need for manual coding whenever possible. Tutorials included with the product show how applications that formerly required coding can now be created without any code at all! You specify the application logic, data relationships, and user interface features in a nonprocedural manner, as a set of rules, and True DataControl will enforce them at run time. This nonprocedural logic can be easily combined with procedural code.

True DataControl can store data in its internal memory without connecting to a database, which enables you to leverage the power of data-aware controls by building "non-database" user interfaces.