The InfoMaker runtime files are now separated from the IDE, as an independent component called "PowerBuilder Runtime" which is used by both the PowerBuilder IDE and InfoMaker IDE.
The decoupling of Runtime and IDE makes it possible for the IDE and the application executable to flexibly switch the runtime version. For example, in the previous versions, when there was a new release, especially a release with new features or bug fixes on the runtime, if the developer wants to test it, s/he will have to configure a new environment or back up the existing environment before installing the new release, so as not to impact the existing application. And now, after Runtime is separated as an independent component, multiple runtime versions can be installed on the same machine and developers, distributors, and end users can easily switch the runtime version at the development or production stage.
The following changes have been made to decouple Runtime and IDE:
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All runtime DLLs that used to be installed to the "Shared" folder are now separately installed to the "Runtime [version]" folder and the "IDE" folder instead, in order to physically separate Runtime files from IDE files.
The "Runtime [version]" folder contains the libraries required at runtime. Example location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Appeon\Common\PowerBuilder\Runtime 19.2.0.2556.
The "IDE" folder contains the support files required by IDE. Example location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Appeon\InfoMaker 19.0\IDE.
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The runtime file location is no longer recorded in the PATH environment variable; it is recorded in the system registry instead.
The 32-bit apps in 32-bit OS search for this registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Sybase\PowerBuilder Runtime.
The 32-bit apps in 64-bit OS search for this registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Sybase\PowerBuilder Runtime.
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The runtime file (including .dll, .ini, .pbx, .pbd etc.) is renamed so that the version number indicator (such as "170", "190") that used to be appended to the file name is removed, for example, pbvm190.dll is renamed as pbvm.dll.
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The InfoMaker IDE (and the application executable) can select which version of runtime files will be used, so it enables developers to easily maintain multiple projects. The IDE can compile for multiple runtime versions (both minor and major) through the System Options.
The runtime files are always installed to %systemdrive%\Program Files (x86)\Appeon\Common\PowerBuilder\Runtime [version]. You can install multiple versions of runtime and select a compatible one in the InfoMaker IDE. By default, the latest compatible runtime will be used by the InfoMaker IDE.
To install runtime, see Installing the runtime files for instructions.
To select which runtime will be loaded by the InfoMaker IDE and which one will be loaded by the application executable, see Selecting a version of runtime for instructions.
The InfoMaker IDE can work with the runtime files at the same or earlier versions, for example:
|
IDE (including MRs) |
Supported Runtime (including MRs) |
Unsupported Runtime |
|---|---|---|
|
2019 R3 |
2019 R3 |
2021 or later |
|
2021 |
2019 R3, 2021 |
2022 or later |
|
2022 |
2019 R3, 2021, 2022 |
2022 R2 or later |
|
2022 R2 |
2019 R3, 2021, 2022, 2022 R2 |
2022 R3 or later |
|
2022 R3 |
2019 R3, 2021, 2022, 2022 R2, 2022 R3 |
2023 or later |
