Flat files

A flat file, or flatfile, is a binary file generated from a USoft development repository. It is a derivative that contains a copy of metadata found in the repository at the moment when the flat file is generated.

The purpose of generating flat files is to provide file-based executables. A USoft application on a target machine can run from these executables, so that a metadata repository is not required on that machine. If you work with modules, a special purpose of generating flat files is to provide a format in which consumer applications can be synchronised with the version of the module contained in the flat file.

USoft 9.1 has four types of flat file:

File name	Contents
application.CON	Metadata as defined in USoft Definer
application.ESI	Metadata as defined in Windows Designer
application.SMG	System messages
application.UMG	Application strings

•The .CON file is essential for running any USoft application from flat file.

•The .ESI file is essential for running any client/server GUI of a USoft application (as opposed to a web GUI or services GUI) from flat file.

•The chief purpose of the .SMG and .UMG files is to enable controlled translation when deploying an application in multiple languages, or keeping the option open to do this.

Generating flat files

You can generate .CON, .SMG and .UMG files from USoft Definer. Choose Tools, Create Flat Files from the menu.

You can generate .ESI files from USoft Windows Designer. Choose Tools, Generate Flat File from the menu.

USoft Delivery Manager makes it easy to connect to any development or test repository and generate flat files from it. To do this, define a Task Step that executes the Create flat files action.

Releasing flat files

USoft Delivery Manager helps you generate and release flat files as deliverables in a DTAP arrangement. Define a Task Step that executes the Release flat files action.