Introduction

Debugging and performance tuning are essential skills for developers working with Progress 4GL (OpenEdge ABL). Ensuring that applications are free from errors and optimized for performance is critical for business applications that handle large volumes of data and complex processes. This training focuses on debugging techniques, error handling strategies, and performance optimization methods in Progress 4GL. Participants will learn to identify bottlenecks, improve execution speed, and resolve issues effectively in their Progress 4GL applications.

The course will delve into tools and best practices to streamline the development process, ensuring that applications are both bug-free and highly efficient. By the end of the training, participants will be able to debug complex applications, optimize their performance, and ensure that business solutions run seamlessly in production environments.

Prerequisites

• Basic knowledge of Progress 4GL (OpenEdge ABL)
• Familiarity with business application development
• Understanding of fundamental programming concepts
• Experience with relational databases and data manipulation in Progress 4GL
• Knowledge of SQL and database management

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Debugging in Progress 4GL

1.1 Overview of Debugging Process
1.2 Common Types of Bugs in Business Applications
1.3 Setting Up the Debugging Environment in Progress 4GL
1.4 Key Debugging Tools in OpenEdge Development

2. Debugging Techniques and Best Practices

2.1 Step-by-Step Debugging
2.2 Using Breakpoints and Watches
2.3 Tracing and Logging for Debugging
2.4 Error Logging Strategies in Progress 4GL
2.5 Handling User Input and Errors

3. Error Handling in Progress 4GL

3.1 Types of Errors: Compile-Time vs Runtime
3.2 Implementing Try-Catch Blocks
3.3 Custom Error Messages and Exception Handling
3.4 Creating and Managing Error Logs
3.5 Debugging SQL Queries and Database Errors

4. Profiling and Performance Analysis

4.1 Introduction to Profiling Tools in Progress 4GL
4.2 Analyzing Application Execution Time
4.3 Identifying Bottlenecks and Latency Issues
4.4 Analyzing Memory Usage and Garbage Collection

5. Query Optimization for Performance

5.1 Optimizing SQL Queries in Progress 4GL
5.2 Using Indexes and Joins Efficiently
5.3 Limiting Data Retrieval with Proper Queries
5.4 Data Caching and Pre-fetching Strategies

6. Code Optimization for Speed

6.1 Identifying Inefficient Code Segments
6.2 Improving Loops, Functions, and Procedures
6.3 Using Built-in Functions for Better Performance
6.4 Optimizing Table and Record Access
6.5 Refactoring Code for Scalability and Performance

7. Memory Management in Progress 4GL

7.1 Managing Memory Allocation Efficiently
7.2 Preventing Memory Leaks in Long-Running Applications
7.3 Garbage Collection Best Practices
7.4 Optimizing Data Storage and Retrieval

8. Performance Tuning Tools in OpenEdge

8.1 Using OpenEdge Profiler for Performance Analysis
8.2 Interpreting Profiling Results and Reports
8.3 Leveraging AppServer and Database Tuning for Performance
8.4 Utilizing OpenEdge Explorer for Monitoring

9. Concurrency and Multithreading

9.1 Managing Concurrent Users in Progress 4GL
9.2 Optimizing Multithreaded Applications
9.3 Managing Locks and Transactions in High-Volume Applications
9.4 Performance Considerations for Distributed Systems

10. Load Testing and Benchmarking

10.1 Introduction to Load Testing Tools for OpenEdge
10.2 Conducting Load and Stress Tests on Applications
10.3 Interpreting Performance Results from Benchmarks
10.4 Best Practices for Stress Testing Critical Business Systems

11. Real-World Case Studies

11.1 Case Study 1: Debugging and Optimizing an Order Processing System
11.2 Case Study 2: Performance Tuning of a Data-Intensive Reporting Application
11.3 Case Study 3: Error Handling and Performance Optimization in a CRM System
11.4 Case Study 4: Performance Benchmarking of an Inventory Management System

12. Conclusion and Best Practices

12.1 Recap of Key Debugging and Optimization Techniques
12.2 Best Practices for Long-Term Application Maintenance
12.3 Implementing Continuous Monitoring for Performance
12.4 Future Trends in Performance Tuning for Business Applications

In this training, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to debug and optimize Progress 4GL applications effectively. By mastering both debugging techniques and performance tuning strategies, developers will be able to identify errors quickly, improve application efficiency, and ensure that business-critical systems operate at peak performance. With practical case studies, participants will have the opportunity to apply the concepts learned in real-world scenarios, preparing them to troubleshoot and optimize their Progress 4GL applications for scalability, speed, and stability. This course provides the foundation for building high-performing, reliable business applications that can adapt to evolving business needs and handle complex data operations efficiently.