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Dictionary Maintenance

Dictionary Maintenance​

Purpose: To create or modify file dictionaries in the DockMaster application.

From the menu select System Administration, Utilities, Dictionary Maintenance.

  • File Name - Enter a File Name
  • Dictionary Item Name - Enter a NEW dictionary name or press F6 to list the existing Dictionary for the File selected.
  • AMC Type - This field is the Attribute Mark Type; the valid options are Attribute or Synonym. Use the Synonym type for all CUSTOM dictionary items.
  • AMC - This field is the Attribute Mark Count. The number corresponds to the attribute number in the file. If the dictionary relates to a specific file attribute, you should input the correct AMC. You can also use zero (0) if the dictionary is calculating values.
  • Max Length - This field is the Maximum Length for the dictionary item.
  • Heading 1 - This field is Heading 1 for the dictionary item. Headings are used when reports are printed; this is the first heading line. This field is blank if the report heading fits on one line (see Customer Name below). In the example below, Heading 1 is Customer.

Customer
Number             Customer Name
--------        ---------------------------------

  • Heading 2 - This field is Heading 2 for the dictionary item. Headings are used when reports are printed; this is the second heading line. In the example above, Heading 2 is Number and Customer Name.
  • Heading 3 - This field is Heading 3 for the dictionary item. Headings are used when reports are printed; this is the third heading line and is always an underline (dashes). The amount of dashes is always equal to the Max Length and will default automatically.
  • Structure - The Structure field is used to specify the Controlling Attribute/Dependent Attribute relationship between this dictionary item and any others. This field is seldom used.
  • Conversion - The Conversion field converts the data stored in a File Attribute based on the desired output. For example, dates are stored in DockMaster as sequential numbers which are called serial values. By default, January 1, 1968 is serial number 1, and January 1, 2008 is serial number 14611 because it is 14,611 days after January 1, 1968. Because dates are values, they can be added, subtracted, and included in other calculations. Below are some common conversions used in DockMaster dictionaries:
    • D2/ in the conversion field will output the internal date as MM/DD/YY.
    • D in the conversion field will output the internal date as DD Month YYYY (10 May 2004).
    • MR2, in the conversion field will output a number with two decimals and commas (2,000.00).
    • MR2 in the conversion field will output a number with two decimals and no commas (2000.00).
    • T1,10 in the conversion field will Truncate the output at 10 characters.
  • Correlative - A correlative is a processing code used to perform data manipulation. Correlatives are used to translate to attributes of other files, calculate values, format output, etc.
  • Justification - This field determines how the dictionary item is justified; the default justification is Left. Click the down arrow to select from a list. Right or Right Numeric justification is good for numeric data. The difference between Text and Left is that when data is too wide to fit into a specified column, Left justification causes a wrap in the data at the exact width of the column, where Text will cause wrap at the end of the word closest to the end of the column width.
  • Description - This field is used by the DockMaster Report Generator program to identify each dictionary item. The description can be any length and will appear when you place your cursor over a dictionary item listed in any listing grid.
  • Screen Tag - This field is used by the DockMaster Report Generator program to identify each dictionary item. This is the description that will appear in each listing grid.
  • Verification Code - This field is used by the DockMaster Report Generator program when validation is required for a dictionary item entered in the Specific Values Tab. For example, if a dictionary item is a date, an 8 in the Verification Code would require the user to enter a valid date.
  • Multi-valued - This field determines whether data stored in this attribute is multi-valued. The DockMaster Report Generator program uses this attribute to determine the proper output for reports when the Sorting and Breaking functions are used.
  • Click the Save button to save the dictionary item.