Dictionary item typesAttribute-defining items

Attribute-defining items

The item-ID of the attribute-defining item is the attribute name. The next value of an attribute-defining item is a number n which refers to the nth attribute in the item. For example, an attribute count of 5 refers to the fifth attribute in the data item.

There can be several attribute-defining items that refer to the same attribute in a data item. For example, perhaps the attribute should be sorted as a right-aligned entry, but printed left aligned. In one case the attribute should be displayed in dollars and cents, and in another case, the attribute should be displayed in thousands of dollars. In such a situation, two attribute-defining items can be defined, as amount-$ and amount-$1000. There is no limit to the number of attribute-defining items that can point to an attribute.

The two most common forms of data stored are:

Data Form Description
ASCII text For sorting purposes, data should be left aligned. The t code may be used for justification instead, which is left aligned and breaks at spaces (instead of in the middle of the word) if the text is wider than the display column.
Numeric values For sorting purposes, data should be right aligned. For dollar ($000.00) values, use the mr2 correlative.
  1. File dictionary
    The table below describes the attributes for the File Dictionary.
  2. Default values
    Here is a list of predefined attribute names that may be used in AQL statements on data files.
  3. Suppress attribute item
    These define specific attributes that are not to be displayed in AQL reports, such as list-item reports.
  4. Synonym item (Q-pointers)
    Q-pointers are used in account master dictionaries to point to other files.
  5. Command item
    Commands that the user can perform and each account has its own environment and can have its own custom set of commands.
  6. Proc item
    Procs are stored sets of TCL or AQL commands. Each account has its own environment and can have its own custom set of procs.
  7. Macro item
    The master dictionary can include items called macros.
  8. Menu item
    A menu is an item stored in the account's master dictionary. The item is used by the menu processor to produce a formatted menu that includes presentation of options. The menu is created directly in the master dictionary and is invoked by entering its item-ID at TCL, similar to a TCL command. Each account has its own environment, and can have its own custom set of menus.
  9. Connectives
    Connectives are special words that have a relational meaning in AQL statements. Each account has its own environment, and can have its own custom set of connectives. Connectives are supplied by D3, and there is no provision for modifying them.

Related topics
Dictionary item types
File-defining items
File definition item