Add a structure to the database dictionary

You can add a structure to the database dictionary by using System Definition or by using the Database Dictionary utility. Choose one of the following methods to add a structure.

Note: You must use the Windows client whenever you need to add a new field/key to a database dictionary table.

Add a structure by using System Definition

To add a structure by using System Definition:

1. In the System Navigator, click System Definition > Tables > filename > Fields.
2. Click New Field.
3. Type a name in the Field Name field.
4. Click OK. The new field name is now listed in its alphabetical place in the fields list.
5. Select the new field from the list, and in the General properties section select Structure in the Data type field, and then specify other general properties and SQL mappings properties for the field.
6. Select the structure field from the Fields list, and click New Field.
7. Type a name in the Field name field, and click OK. The field is added to the structure.
8. Specify general properties, aliases, and SQL mapping properties for the field.
9. Repeat steps 6 through 8 to add more fields to the structure.
10. Click Save to save the file.

Add a structure by using the Database Dictionary utility

This example illustrates how to add a structure that contains fields for basic employee information. The fields are name, telephone number, and address. These fields will appear on all formats or views of the employee file. Salary, hire.date, review.date, rehire, termination.date, position, and department will appear only on certain forms.

To add a structure by using the Database Dictionary utility:

1. From the database dictionary, open the employee file.
2. On the Fields tab, place the cursor on the descriptor structure.
3. Click New Field/Key.
4. In the Name field, type basic.employee.info.
5. In the Type field, choose structure from the Type list.

6. Click Add.

   You can now add fields within the structure you just created.

7. In the Name and Type fields, type a name and select a data type for the first field you want to add to the structure. For example, type person.name and select character.

8. Click Add.

   The structure with its first field is added to the Fields tab.

9. On the Fields tab, select the structure field you added, and click New Field/Key to add more fields to the structure field. For example, add two more fields named telephone (data type: character) and address (data type: character) .
10. Click OK to save your edits.

11. Click SM Alters when you are asked how you want to update the database dictionary.

    This returns the message: Record updated in the dbdict file.

Related topics

Forms Designer
Adding a key
Alias fields
Arrays
Arrayed structures
Methods for deleting database dictionary records
Deleting a key
Fields within structures
Methods for updating database dictionary records
Modifying a key
Structures
Access the Database Dictionary utility
Add fields to a structure
Open a database dictionary
Regen a database dictionary