Rev 3.5 Nears Beta Release
Don't miss the upcoming Webinar that shows you how the exciting new data grid transforms presentation in your projects!

by Bill Marriott

Last week, Revolution Enterprise users got their first look at a significant new feature in Revolution 3.5, the data grid.

The data grid control, enabled by the new object-oriented Behaviors (parentScripts) technology in Revolution 3.5, represents an incredibly flexible approach to presenting information for on-screen display and editing. Data grids not only handle massive amounts of information with lightning speed, but make it easy to produce virtually any kind of experience for your end users managing that data.

The data grid is actually two tools in one, as you can specify either a "table" style or a "form" style of rendering for your information:

Access to pre-release versions of Revolution is automatic for Enterprise customers who maintain a "software assurance pack." However, RunRev will be seeding all active Studio users with a beta version of Revolution 3.5 later this month.

Major upcoming event shows you how
Revolution users have met the new data grid with high acclaim. Adjectives like "incredible," "fantastic," "brilliant," "amazing," "sparklingly fast," and "awesomely useful" have been bandied about. The interest in this new feature is enormous. As a result, we're doing something brand-new: Later this month on March 26, we'll be hosting our first-ever Webinar on the new data grid control. Speakers will include RunRev CEO Kevin Miller and data grid author Trevor DeVore. Participants will not only receive a tour of the new functionality, but also be able to participate in a question-and-answer session at the end. You'll see the data grid in action, right on your computer screen!

Data grid with expanding/collapsing rows

Get current to get in on the action
Very shortly we'll be sending out an email with critical information:

• To Enterprise and Studio users with an active software assurance plan, an invitation to the March 26 Webinar with registration details.
• To Studio users with an active software assurance plan, a link to the pre-release version of the data grid

If you purchased your copy of Revolution a while back, and haven't picked up a software assurance plan yet, now is the time to do so.

• If you purchased Studio within the last year, the updates cost just $99. Click here to choose your plan.
• We're extending the deadline to March 20. If you're an active Studio user as of that date, you'll get a link to the beta release of Revolution 3.5 and an invitation to the Webinar on the 26th.
• If you're an active Enterprise user, you can obtain the prerelease version of Revolution 3.5 with data grids right now. Choose "Check for Updates..." from the help menu to obtain it. You'll also receive an invitation to the Webinar. Otherwise, click here to review the plans for Enterprise.
• Whichever edition you choose, you'll get in on the pre-release action plus ensure you get the shipping version of Revolution 3.5, and all other new versions slated for the next 12 months.

Don't forget Behaviors
As much as data grids open up new possibilities for presentation in Revolution, the really sexy new feature in Revolution 3.5 for advanced developers is the Behaviors/parentScripts technology that enables them. This represents a giant leap forward to true object-oriented programming in Revolution. For the first time, you now essentially have "class libraries" and reusable custom controls.

Together, these new features will change the way you design your solutions with Revolution. Be sure you have a head start on using them!

About the Author Bill Marriott is a Revolution user and Director of Marketing for Runtime Revolution.