Open the Wings Site

Once the Display File is imported a new Wings Display File, CUSTDSPF.aspx, will appear under Views in the Solution Explorer (along with some information in the Output window). Right-click this new file and a context menu will open. Select the View Designer option, this will open a window showing the Design View of the new Wings Display File.

Figure 9-1.

Once the site is open, you should see something quite like what's in Figure 9-2 (it may vary depending on your version of Wings and Visual Studio configuration). If you don't see the Design, Split, and Source buttons, right click on CUSTDSPF.aspx in the solution explorer, click Open With, select Web Forms Editor in the following dialog. Click Set as Default then OK.

Figure 9-2.

While the alignment of some text prompts often needs manual adjustment, overall Wings imports the display file with a high level of fidelity as defined by the original display file DDS. Having imported a display file, we're a half-step away from seeing Wings in action.

Export the Display File to the IBM i

The final consideration before the Wings Site can be used is ensuring that the program on the IBM i is fully in sync with the .aspx page. To accomplish this, right click on CUSTDSPF.aspx in the solution explorer.

In the Context Menu that appears select Export to Display File. The following dialogue will appear:

Populate the dialogue as appropriate for your application and click OK. This will start the Export process, and you'll see progress in the Visual Studio Output window. Including the following two lines:

Writing DDS file to RPMONGERH/QDDSWINGS, member CUSTDSPF

Executing command: 'CrtDspF RPMONGERH/CUSTDSPF RPMONGERH/QDDWINGS srcmbr(CUSTDSPF) genlvl(30)'

After the Export process is completed, a new CUSTDSPF object should be created in the RPGMONGERH library. Compile the object on the IBM i using the traditional commands.

Run your Wings Web Site application

To see the Wings site in action, press F5, or use the Debug button (the green triangle that looks like a play button) from Visual Studio's top level menu (as shown in Figure 9-3). This will launch the Wings Application in your system's default browser.

Figure 9-3.