Form Dictionaries

A form dictionary stores a collection of the most useful fields for each type of transaction handled by CAPITAL. Typical dictionary entries include account codes, account names, transaction numbers, dates, transaction totals, order numbers, tax rates, and so on. A dictionary takes the hard work out of trying to determine what the data you need is called, and where that data happens to be stored in the CAPITAL database. There are well over 100 database files managed by CAPITAL so it is not always obvious to know where to look. As a consequence it is always easier to work with a dictionary than with the raw data held in the database.

When you want to access information from the database you must specify which database file holds that information. For example, to retrieve the bin location of a stock item directly from the CAPITAL database you must use this syntax:

A dictionary makes things easier. If a dictionary is attached to your form you do not need to specify where the data is to be found. (The STOCK-> part of the reference.) Specifying "BIN" will be sufficient.

Two conditions must be met before a dictionary can be used in your forms:

• The dictionary must be attached to the form.

• The database files the dictionary requires must be linked to the form.

You need not worry about either of the above if you use the Form Wizard to create your forms for you. It will attach the appropriate dictionary to the form, depending on the type of form you select, and it will also link the databases required by the dictionary.

Note: The easiest way to determine which database files are required to activate a dictionary is to create a form using the Form Wizard and inspect which database files were linked.

To see which dictionary is attached to a form (if any) select Files|Preferences from the Editor Menu. See Form Editor Preferences for more details.