Understanding Synchronization

Synchronization is an automatic process whereby USoft generates or re-generates "paintable" GUI classes from the definitions currently in the conceptual repository.

These classes appear in the catalog interface of the Windows Designer. Synchronization occurs when the USoft Windows Designer interface is started.

The conceptual definitions that are the input for synchronization concern tables, columns, relationships, subtypes and logical views.

Because of synchronization, if you add a column to a table, an extra control (e.g. a text box) will automatically appear for this column next time you open the Windows Designer. This extra control will appear in all info box classes based on the table.

The word "synchronization" is sometimes used to refer to data synchronization:

·	Between info windows and related windows (parent and child data).

·	Between tree view/list view nodes and current records in info boxes.

These forms of data synchronization have nothing to do with the info box class synchronization discussed in the present section.

Info box class synchronization populates the info box nodes of the Windows Designer catalog as follows:

·	For each table, an Info Window class appears. The name of this window class is the Object Name Plural specified for the table in the Definer.

·	For each parent table in a relationship, a Lookup Window class appears. The name of this window class is the Lookup Window Name specified for the relationship in the Definer.

·	For each child table in a relationship, a Related Window class appears. The name of this window class is the Related Window Name specified for the relationship in the Definer.

·	For each table, a Secondary Window class appears.

·	For each subtype, a Subtype Window appears. The name of this window class is the Object Name specified for the subtype table in the Definer.

NOTE:

You MUST shut down all running Windows Designer sessions before you change the names of Tables, Columns, Info Windows, Relationship names etc., in the Definer. If you do not follow this rule and you continue painting, you may corrupt your repository.