Overview

In this lesson we are going to review Wayfast Datasets. A dataset allows us to connect a page with a data source like a database or an API. To depict how it works we will show you and example that include calling a database store procedure for retrieving information and displaying it in a Wayfast Application.    

Preconditions

We have 3 important preconditions before start working with Datasets.

1. We need to connect the project with an existing or new database. You can find more details about in another lessons where we attached or created databases.

2. We need to create a table or identify the table where we are going to get the data to display using the Dataset

3. We need to create an object in this database, for example, an Stored Procedure to link the table and interact with Dataset information.

CREATE TABLE HWD_Roles (
Name  nvarchar(50),
Role  nvarchar(50),
Email nvarchar(50),
)
GO

CREATE PROCEDURE spHWD_Roles_Get
AS
  BEGIN
    SELECT * FROM HWD_Roles with(nolock)
  END
GO

Now we can go back to Wayfast and synchronize the stored procedure in the environment. If the project is newly created and connected to a database, there’s no need to synchronize both objects. Dataset will retrieve all the objects associated between both entities automatically.

Let’s review how synchronize the objects in Wayfast. Keep in mind this action must be triggered inside the project before enter to the page where we are going to create the new dataset. Otherwise the stored procedure won’t be available in search field.

On Wayfast, focus on the active task at left side navigator page.

Click on “End Task” button related to project’s requirement.

A popup is displayed, click on “Synchronize” button. Now the stored procedure created in database will be available to connect with dataset.

How to create a new Dataset?

Go to “Project Pages” at top menu. Select any of the pages available in the project. Then click on “New Dataset” button

A popup is displayed and we need to complete the mandatory fields.

Execution Type field is an important feature since this will define what type of performance has the dataset.

Turn to “Data Binding” tab in “New Dataset” popup. In this section, we can select the Stored Procedure previously created for the information available in DB.

If we click on “Add relationship” button under “Control Run” field, we can link the Dataset with Controls inside the “Data Binding”. For more information, we can find an example in “Actions” lesson.

After that simply click on “Accept” button to save the dataset.

Now Stored Procedure can be quickly referenced from other controls in this page.

This is how it looks like:

How to connect the new Dataset with a “Grid Column” control?

Let’s create an example using grid columns linked to the new dataset.

Turn to the page where we are going to include this object. Under the “Controls” section, choose the “Grid Column” option. Click on “New” button

A popup will be prompted to generate the control.

Turn to “Data Binding” tab and connect to a previously generated dataset.

Turn to “Layout” tab and indicate the order where we want to display this column. In our example, we have a table created and we want to add this new column at the right side.

Click on “Submit” button

Now that we have the grid columns created, we can click on “Grid_Column” link in “Control” column in the row we want to bind . A popup is displayed with the information related to the control. Turn to “Data Binding” tab

Change the “Dataset” dropdown with the new dataset that Wayfast will retrieve according to the previous step in the lesson. Click on “Accept” button

Recap

We learnt about the importance of Datasets to interact with database and how the Store Procedure is needed for this purpose. We explained how some type of controls are specifically created to show the information from the Dataset to make it available at the moment we open the page.