TDict - Data Dictionary

Source: source/classes/tdict.prg

Standalone class

TDict implements a data dictionary system that manages a collection of database tables (DBFs), menus, and reports. It stores metadata across 15+ system tables (oTables) covering table definitions, field definitions, indexes, relations, menus, reports, users, and security. The dictionary can auto-build missing system tables (lAutoBuild) and provides methods for creating tables, opening databases, loading menus, running reports, and importing files.

Key DATA Members

DATA	Type	Description
`cPath`	Character	Base path where dictionary files are stored
`lAutoBuild`	Logical	.T. to automatically create missing system tables
`oTables`	Array	Array of 15+ TDatabase objects for system tables

Methods

Method	Description
`New( cPath )`	Create a new data dictionary at the given path
`Activate()`	Open all system tables and activate the dictionary
`CreateTable( cTbl )`	Create a new user table defined in the dictionary
`OpenDataBase( cDbName )`	Open a named database and all its tables
`OpenTable( cTbl )`	Open a specific table by name
`LoadMenu( cMenu )`	Load a menu definition from the dictionary; returns TMenu
`Report( cReport )`	Run a report defined in the dictionary
`Import( cMask )`	Import files matching a file mask into the dictionary
`LoadWebBrowse( cTbl )`	Load web browse configuration for a table
`LoadWebRecord( cTbl )`	Load web record form configuration for a table
`WebRecSave( cTbl )`	Save web record configuration for a table

Example: Create and Use Dictionary

#include "FiveWin.ch"

function Main()

   local oDict

   // Create a data dictionary in the data directory
   oDict := TDict():New( ".\data\" )
   oDict:lAutoBuild := .T.
   oDict:Activate()

   // Create a new user table
   oDict:CreateTable( "INVOICES" )

   // Open a database
   oDict:OpenDataBase( "SALES" )

   // Load a menu
   DEFINE WINDOW oWnd TITLE "Dictionary Demo" SIZE 800, 600
   oDict:LoadMenu( "MAIN" ):Activate( oWnd )

   // Run a report
   oDict:Report( "CUSTOMER_LIST" )

   ACTIVATE WINDOW oWnd

return nil

Notes

The dictionary maintains system tables for table definitions (_TABLES.DBF), field definitions (_FIELDS.DBF), indexes (_INDEXES.DBF), relations, menus, reports, users, groups, and permissions.
When lAutoBuild is .T., any missing system tables are automatically created when Activate() is called.
Use CreateTable() to materialize a user-defined table based on the dictionary metadata. The table structure is read from the _FIELDS system table.
LoadMenu() reads menu definitions from the dictionary and returns a fully constructed TMenu object ready for activation.

TDict - Data Dictionary

Key DATA Members

Methods

Example: Create and Use Dictionary

Notes

See Also