PS Book

Essential Guide to Peoplesoft Development and Customization

RELEASED - End of August' 2000

MANNING PUBLICATIONS

by DeLia, Landres, Rivera and Sankaran

Click Here to order a copy from AMAZON.COM

Introductory Marketing Blurbs...

The 'Essential Guide to PeopleSoft Development and Customization' is an exhaustive, as well as practical, guide that covers PeopleSoft 7.5 and many new features in release 8.0. Both novice and experienced programmers will benefit from the detailed coverage of topics ranging from the basics of Application Designer to the proper use of PeopleCode within the Application Processor. The book serves as both a reference and a tutorial and covers advanced topics that other books avoid. The reader can gain valuable expertise by following the exercises and building sample applications and utilities. Extensive coverage of PeopleCode including scroll and function library examples can be found as well as methodology behind customization and upgrades. Discover how to effectively utilize SQR and Process Scheduler. Master various levels of PeopleSoft security. Most developers won't touch PeopleSoft COBOL programs with a ten foot pole. Expand your horizons by uncovering the secrets of PeopleSoft COBOL and the PTPSQLRT module and even walk through a sample customization. Application Engine is a powerful PeopleTool - but one of the least understood. Through a series of simple but effective exercises the reader will learn Application Engine concepts such as dynamic SQL, decision logic and dynamic sections. A useful Application Engine utility is produced that will enhance the delivered Process Scheduler panels. This book takes a soup-to-nuts approach leading the reader through the full cycle of application development.

The four authors provide the reader with the skills necessary to compete in the PeopleSoft marketplace for years to come. Special sections are included which provide detailed information on new features in PeopleSoft release 8. The reader will gain valuable insight into the next generation of PeopleTools. Exciting new features such as the new PeopleCode Debugger and PeopleCode dot notation using a new series of object classes are revealed. Also covered are Application Designer enhancements and improved Process Scheduler design and SQR support. See firsthand how Application Engine has been turbo-charged with a new line of meta-constructs, PeopleCode actions, file handling capability and a new integrated design. The authors primary goal was not to be the first book on the market... it was to be the best.

What's in the book?

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Abbreviated Version)

Part 1 - About PeopleSoft

    PeopleSoft Architecture
    Introduction to PeopleSoft

	Part 2 - Tools of the Trade Development Tools Administration Tools Overview of PeopleCode
	Part 3 - Application Development Building Your First Application Enhancing Your Application Panel Design Features Building Database Objects PeopleSoft Application Processor Application Designer - New Features in Release 8.0
	Part 4 - PeopleCode - An In-Depth Look PeopleCode Language Elements PeopleCode & the Application Processor Messages and Error Handling Embedded SQL Working with Scrolls Function Libraries Debugging Peoplecode PeopleCode - New Features in Release 8.0
	Part 5 - Customizing PeopleSoft Delivered Applications "Vanilla" vs. Customized Customizing Delivered Panels... Customizing Delivered Panel Groups... Adding New Functionality... Customizing Security Search Records, PeopleCode and Menus
	Part 6 - Using SQR in PeopleSoft Applications Running SQR in PeopleSoft Applications Creating a Custom SQR Program Attaching your SQR Program to PeopleSoft Process Scheduler Communicating with Process Scheduler Implementing Security in SQR Additional Topics SQR/Process Scheduler - New Features in Release 8.0
	Part 7 - Understanding PeopleSoft COBOL What's the Difference? The PTPSQLRT Module Modifying PeopleSoft COBOL Additional Topics
	Part 8 - Using Application Engine What is Application Engine? The Basics of Application Engine Before We Begin Build Your First Application Using Cache Fields Dynamic SQL Statements Selecting Multiple Rows Incorporating Decision Logic Dynamic Sections Using Run Controls Additional Topics Application Engine Functions Application Engine - New Features in Release 8.0
	APPENDIX A - Problem Tracking Application
	APPENDIX B - Locations by Operator Class
	APPENDIX C - PeopleSoft System Tables
	APPENDIX D - Application Engine Examples
	APPENDIX E - Commonly Used PeopleSoft Functions

Who is this book for?

This book is for any person involved in a PeopleSoft implementation although the book's primary focus is on actual development. It is NOT a high-level overview by any means. Each entry listed in the Table of Contents above is loaded with information that may not seem apparent by the section title alone. For example, the TOC entry "Using Run Controls" (Part 8 - A/E) may imply a simple explanation of a run control panel... Not so... This section takes the reader thru the full life-cycle of A/E development which includes tasks relating to Records, Panels, Panel Groups, Menus, Security, Process Definitions, Process Requests and of course the actual development and testing of an Application Engine program (producing a useful utility in the process). The entire book is structured in this fashion. This book has been listed on Amazon and other book sites as 900 pages... it will actually be in the area of 1200 pages (we kept adding more "stuff")... We (the four of us) are not writers or trainers - we're technical developers who have a great deal of experience in Peoplesoft and know exactly what skills are required to be successful in this industry... If you've found Galina's book "SQR in Peoplesoft and Other Applications" (or even this website) to be a valuable technical resource you will not be disappointed with this book...

Here's an alternate book cover...

We were actually pleased with the cover Manning provided... they use 17th century characters as a consistent theme for their publications... at least our guy has a somewhat rugged appearance (who would make fun of a man wearing slippers while armed with a shotgun?)... I poked a little fun at Galina's SQR book cover and offered an alternate cover... So I'll also offer an alternate cover for our book... I've been on a frog drawing kick lately... Here's a collage displaying various frog species... these could be used to represent the variety of PeopleTool topics we cover in the book...

See http://www.browsebooks.com/DeLia/ for more information on the book...

Feedback

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Tony DeLia - Updated September 25, 2000