The Definer and Windows Runtime Interface

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The look-and-feel of the application interface (windows, tabs, menus, icons...) that you see when working with USoft Definer is the same as the look-and-feel of the default interface of the runtime application that you create by declaring your application properties in the USoft Definer.

This section describes this default Windows look-and-feel.

You may want to use USoft's Windows Runtime interface as a comfortable, low-maintenance interface for data administrators. Alternatively, you may want to create a fully customised Windows application for end users. In that case, USoft Windows Designer allows you to "paint" the end user interface exactly the way you want it.

For web applications, the architecture is quite similar:

USoft Windows Designer lets you build on Definer meta-data and create a finished Windows application for end users.

USoft Web Designer lets you build on Definer meta-data and create a finished browser-based application for end users.

The basic elements of the Definer and Windows Runtime interface are:

Info Windows

Info Windows are the primary interface for querying, inspecting and manipulating table data. There is an info window for each tablee. An info Window may look like a tab or like a floating window.

Info Boxes

Info Boxes are contained in Info Windows. Each Info Box enables you to query, inspect and manipulate data in a specific table.

Lookup Windows

A Lookup Window exists because of a parent-child relationship. Lookup Windows enable you to query parent data and to select a parent value to be pasted in a foreign key field at child table level.

Related Windows

A Related Window exists because of a parent-child relationship. Related Windows enable you to see the child data that belong to some currently selected parent table.

Subtype Windows

Subtype Windows enable you to see subtype columns of some subtype of the currently selected supertype table.

Dialogs

Dialogs are windows that help the user perform some specific task. They are different from Info Windows, Info Boxes, Lookup Windows, Related Windows and Subtype Windows in that they are not associated with specific tables in the database.

Menus

The menu bar appears below the title bar and offers access to standard functionality such as Query and Update.

The Objects List

The Objects List is a default menu that allows standard access to each of the individual Info Windows.

The Picklist

The Picklist displays all the database objects that you have used in the current Definer session. You can use this to quickly open a window without using the menus or the Objects List.

The Workspace

The workspace allows you to predefine which windows you want to open automatically when you start a Definer session, and which you want to be cached in memory (for faster opening when requested).

The Toolbar

The toolbar contains buttons that you can click as shortcuts to several actions, instead of using the menus.

 

See Also

Info Windows

Lookup Windows

Related Windows

Subtype Windows

Dialogs

Menus

The Objects List

The Transactions Window

The Picklist

The Workspace

The Find in Repository Dialog

The Toolbar