Define the Structure of a Database

General

  • You can use this function to edit the structure of an existing database.
  • You can add and delete fields, and define the type and length of fields.
  • You can also use this function to create a new database.
  • If you create a new database, name it in capital letters in the format d_DATABASE_NAME.
    • The maximum length of a name is 16 characters.
    • You may use underscores (_) in the name.
    • You can leave out the prefix d_ in front of the name, the program adds it in front of the name.
    • By default, databases will be saved in the Vertex ../shared/dbases folder.
  • It is generally not a good idea to delete a row from a database
    • If you delete a field from a database, the data saved in the field in question on each database row will be lost.
    • Instead of deleting the field, set the field length to zero (0) and the field will not be displayed.
  • For more information about Vertex database structure, see: Structure of Vertex Databases

Define the Structure of a Database

  1. Select System | Databases | Maintenance > Define Structure.
  2. Select the database
    • Select an existing database to modify its structure or
    • Enter a name for a new database if you want to create a new database.
      • Enter a name for the new database in capital letters in the format d_DATABASE_NAME. The maximum length of a name is 16 characters.
      • If you are creating a new database, select Save after entering the name and confirm the creation of a new database by answering Yes.
    • The program opens the database view Edit Database Format.
      • On the left are the fields Old Field Name, Old Index and Old Type.
      • On the right are the fields New Field Name, New Index and New Type.
  3. If necessary, add a new field to the database using the context sensitive function
    • Add row after or
    • Add row before or
    • You can also copy a row using the context-sensitive function Copy row.
  4. Enter the name of the field in the New Field Name column.
    • When naming fields, please note that the allowed characters are the numbers (0-9), the letters (a-z, A-Z) and the underscore (_).
    • You can also rename an old field with a new name, but note that the display, selection, and search formats related to database processing will not recognize the field unless they are edited.
  5. If necessary, select an index in the New Index column.
    • Select blank as the index for most of the fields so that database processing is not slowed down unnecessarily.
    • IND = Index the database based on this field.
    • UNIQUE = Defines the field as unique, i.e. the database cannot have same values in that field.
  6. Define the field's Unicode type and length in the New Type column.
    • T = Text field, for example T15.
    • M = Alphanumeric field, for example M20.
    • N = Numeric field, for example N8.
    • The types A, B in the old installations should be replaced with the Unicode type fields T and M.
  7. Confirm the database format by clicking OK.