Update the Structure of a Database

General

  • You can use this function to update the structure of the selected database according to another database.
  • You can select the fields to be updated by using a comparison table.
  • Before starting the function, you must have a source database that serves as a reference, the format of which will be used when editing your own database.
    • As such a source database, you can use, for example, the databases that come with the Vertex installation package, based on which you update new and/or changed fields in your own databases.
  • However, you should not shorten the lengths of the fields in your own database to match the reference database, because then there is a risk that part of the field's content will be lost. Unless you know that the length of the contents of any field to be shortened exceeds the new length of the field.

Update the Structure of a Database

  1. Select System | Databases | Maintenance > Update Structure.
    • The program asks for the source database, i.e. the database that acts as a reference.
  2. Browse and select the source database and click Open.
    • The program asks for the target database whose format will be updated.
  3. Select the target database, and click Open.
    • The program opens the dialog box Archive Format Update.

    • The name, type, length and index of the reference database fields are shown on the left.
    • The type, length and index of the field with the matching name are shown on the right.
    • The lines on the right mean that the updated target database does not have the field.
  4. Select the fields you want to add to the target database
    • Select the check box of the field (row) to be updated if you want to update the field to the target database.
  5. If necessary, change the length and type of the field
    • At least if the length of the target field (on the right) is greater than the length of the reference database field (on the left), so that any long strings in the fields are not lost.
    • It is recommended to update the type to Unicode type if you are still using old types that were in old installations.
      • It is recommended to update type A to T.
      • It is recommended to update type B to M.
  6. Click OK to accept the database format update.