| dictionaries | Index Level | dirty bits |
| Syntax | |
| Category | Definitions |
| Type | Definition |
| Description |
describes using dictionaries as operators.
The Pick dictionary is a file consisting of items that contain up to 30 attributes (R83 dictionaries only go up to 13). Each dictionary item can be considered as a vector operator of 30 elements, some of which contain operations to be performed on the specified attribute in the associated file. One element identifies the attribute within the associated file is the operand. There are two types of dictionary entries, file-defining items and attribute-defining items. File-defining items operate specifically on attribute 0 of the associated file and contain system information specific to the associated file. Attribute-defining items may operate on any attribute within the associated data file or dictionary. Functions (or programs) defined at the system level (or by the user) can be assigned to the appropriate attributes of the attribute-defining item. In many cases, the generation of complex programs in a high level language can be avoided, and this vector provides a shorthand language for generating programs. Data can be entered through UP or a FlashBASIC program which passes data through the specified attribute-defining item within the data file dictionary for modification and stores the data in the specified attribute of the data file. When the data is viewed using UP or retrieved using Access or FlashBASIC, it passes from the attribute in the data file through the data file dictionary for modification prior to output. Secondary files may be involved if the operation specified in the dictionary item is a translation. |
| Options | |
| See Also | update Update processor attribute Update processor |
| Example | |
| Warnings | |
| Compatibility | D3 7.0 AP R83 |
| dictionaries | Index Level | dirty bits |