| name | form-editor |
| description | Guide for editing VFP forms (.scx/.sc2 files). Use when modifying forms, understanding form structure, editing form code, or working with controls and events. |
| allowed-tools | Read, Grep, Glob, Edit |
VFP Form Editor Guide
Understanding VFP Forms
VFP forms are stored in binary .scx files (with .sct memo). For version control, many teams convert to text format using FoxBin2Prg.
| File Type | Format | Use |
|---|
.scx/.sct | Binary | VFP IDE uses this |
.sc2 | Text | Version control, Claude editing |
What AI CAN Do
- Edit code in existing procedures/methods
- Modify object properties (Caption, Value, Enabled, etc.)
- Edit .prg files completely
- Add/remove code lines within existing methods
What AI CANNOT Do
- Add new objects to forms (buttons, textboxes, etc.)
- Delete objects from forms
- Add new methods/events to objects
- Modify form structure (add containers, pages, etc.)
Reason: VFP forms have complex binary relationships that require the VFP IDE to manage correctly.
.sc2 File Structure
*-- Header
PLATFORM,UNIQUEID,TIMESTAMP,CLASS,CLASSLOC,BASECLASS,...
*-- Form Definition
CLASS,BASECLASS,OBJNAME,PARENT,PROPERTIES,PROTECTED,METHODS,OBJCODE,NAME
*-- Properties Block
Name = "myform"
Caption = "My Form (ver.1)"
Top = 0
Left = 0
Height = 600
Width = 800
...
*-- Methods Block
PROCEDURE Init
*-- Initialization code
ENDPROC
PROCEDURE cmdSave.Click
*-- Button click handler
ENDPROC
*-- Child Object Definition
CLASS,BASECLASS,OBJNAME,PARENT,...
Editing Properties
Change Caption with Version
*-- Find the Caption line in Properties section
Caption = "Client Editor (ver.15)"
*-- Increment version when making changes
Caption = "Client Editor (ver.16)"
Common Editable Properties
| Property | Type | Example |
|---|
Caption | String | "Save" |
Value | Varies | 0, "", .T. |
Enabled | Logical | .T., .F. |
Visible | Logical | .T., .F. |
Top, Left | Numeric | 10, 20 |
Height, Width | Numeric | 25, 100 |
FontName | String | "Segoe UI" |
FontSize | Numeric | 9 |
BackColor | Numeric | RGB(255,255,255) |
ForeColor | Numeric | RGB(0,0,0) |
ToolTipText | String | "Click to save" |
Editing Methods
Locate Method Block
PROCEDURE methodname
*-- Method code here
ENDPROC
Common Events to Edit
| Event | Fires When |
|---|
Init | Object is created |
Destroy | Object is destroyed |
Click | User clicks |
DblClick | User double-clicks |
Valid | Focus leaves (validation) |
When | Focus enters (permission) |
InteractiveChange | Value changes (interactive) |
ProgrammaticChange | Value changes (code) |
GotFocus | Focus received |
LostFocus | Focus lost |
KeyPress | Key pressed |
Refresh | Refresh called |
Button Click Example
PROCEDURE cmdSave.Click
IF THISFORM.Validate()
THISFORM.SaveData()
THISFORM.Release()
ELSE
MESSAGEBOX("Please fix errors before saving.", 48, "Validation")
ENDIF
ENDPROC
Form Init Example
PROCEDURE Init
*-- Load data
IF !THISFORM.LoadData()
MESSAGEBOX("Failed to load data.", 16, "Error")
RETURN .F.
ENDIF
*-- Set defaults
THISFORM.txtName.SetFocus()
RETURN .T. && Return .F. to prevent form from opening
ENDPROC
Grid DynamicProperties
Grids support dynamic coloring based on data:
*-- In form Init or grid setup
LOCAL lcBackExpr
lcBackExpr = "IIF(nstatus=1, RGB(200,255,200), " + ;
"IIF(nstatus=2, RGB(255,200,200), " + ;
"RGB(255,255,255)))"
THIS.grdData.Column1.DynamicBackColor = lcBackExpr
THIS.grdData.Column2.DynamicBackColor = lcBackExpr
Version Tracking Rule
MANDATORY when editing .sc2 files:
- Find the form's Caption property
- Increment the version number
- Keep format:
"Form Name (ver.N)"
*-- Before
Caption = "Client Editor (ver.15)"
*-- After your edit
Caption = "Client Editor (ver.16)"
FoxBin2Prg Workflow
If using text-based version control:
1. Developer edits .sc2 file (text)
2. Run conversion: DO foxbin2prg.prg WITH "formname.sc2"
3. Test in VFP with resulting .scx
4. Commit .sc2 to version control
Common Form Patterns
Modal Form for Data Entry
*-- Parent form calls:
LOCAL loData
loData = CREATEOBJECT("Empty")
ADDPROPERTY(loData, "cName", "")
ADDPROPERTY(loData, "lSaved", .F.)
DO FORM frmEdit WITH loData
IF loData.lSaved
*-- Save to database
INSERT INTO clients (cname) VALUES (loData.cName)
ENDIF
Child form stores in passed object:
PROCEDURE cmdOK.Click
THISFORM.oData.cName = THISFORM.txtName.Value
THISFORM.oData.lSaved = .T.
THISFORM.Release()
ENDPROC
Filter/Refresh Pattern
PROCEDURE cmdFilter.Click
LOCAL lcWhere
lcWhere = "1=1"
IF !EMPTY(THISFORM.txtSearch.Value)
lcWhere = lcWhere + " AND cname LIKE '%" + ;
sql_quote(ALLTRIM(THISFORM.txtSearch.Value)) + "%'"
ENDIF
sql_exec_safe("SELECT * FROM clients WHERE " + lcWhere, "qryClients")
THISFORM.grdClients.RecordSource = "qryClients"
THISFORM.grdClients.Refresh()
ENDPROC
Checklist for Form Modifications
Resources
