Data Controllers / Fields

  Overview

Table of Contents
Data Controllers / FieldsPrint||
Overview

When an application is generated from a database, field definitions are created to match the columns of a table. Additional fields can be automatically added to controllers by configuring a denormalization field map. Virtual fields can represent computed data.

Field Properties:

Property Description
Activate If Blank Specifies that the lookup will be activated when the value is blank.
Allow Last Entered Values Specifies that the most recently entered value by the user will be the default value for the next record. Simplifies mass entry of records with values that are not expected to change frequently.
Allow Null Values Specifies that the field can blank.
Allow Query-by-Example Enables advanced filtering options for the field in grid views.
Allow Sorting Enables sorting for the field in grid views.
Code Default Specifies the default value that will be applied when the new record form is opened.
Code Formula Specifies a formula written in the programming language of the project that will return a field value.
Code Value Specifies a value that will be calculated every time the record is updated.
Context Fields Specifies which fields, when changed, will cause calculated fields to be refreshed.
Controller Specifies the controller the field belongs to.
Copy Specifies a list of fields that will be copied from the selected lookup item.
Data Format String Specifies the data format string for the value. Available strings are: Standard Numeric, Standard Date/Time, Custom Date/Time, HTML.
Data Text Field Specifies the field that will be displayed to the end user.
Data Value Field Specifies the field value that will be saved.
Defines the primary key. Specifies if the field is the primary key. The client library uses the primary key to select, update, and delete data.
Dynamic Configuration Specifies fields that can provide dynamic values for the field properties.
Edit Mask Specifies an edit mask that will validate the entered field value.
Editor Specifies the name of a custom editor.
Format On Client When disabled, specifies that the server will format the field using the supplied data format string.
HTML Encoding Specifies that the field value will be displayed in full. When disabled, HTML in the field will be rendered.
Items Data Controller Specifies the controller that will be used to look up data.
Items Data View Specifies the view of the controller that will be used to look up data.
Items Style Specifies the style that will be used to display items.
Label Specifies the label that will be displayed in the user interface.
Length Specifies the length of the field.
Lookup Window Description Specifies a description on the lookup window.
Mask Type Specifies the type of edit mask to be used.
Name Specifies the name of the field. If the field matches a physical column, the name of the field should match the name assigned in the command.
New Data View Specifies the view that will be used when the New Record icon is selected. If blank, the icon will not be displayed.
On Demand Handler Specifies a name for an automatically created handler that will retrieve the blob field.
On Demand Style Specifies the method used to display the blob field. Available options are thumbnail and link.
Page Size Specifies the number of items displayed in the lookup view.
Read Roles Specifies which roles are permitted to view the field.
Search by First Letter When enabled, displays quick first letter filters at the top of the lookup view.
Search on Start Specifies that the lookup view will have advanced search bar open by default.
Server Default Specifies the default value that will be applied when the record is saved.
Show In Summary Specifies that the field will be displayed in the summary when a record is selected.
Source Fields Specifies primary key fields that uniquely identify the source record.
SQL Formula Specifies a formula computed on the server that will return the field value.
The value of the field is calculated by a business rule expression. Specifies that the the field value is produced by a business rule method. Context fields must be specified to cause the calculation.
The value of this field is computed at run-time by SQL expression. Specifies that the field is not physically present in the table.
The field is included in all data views but remains hidden from users. Specifies that the field is hidden in the user interface.
Type Specifies the data type of the field.
Value is retrieved on demand Specifies that the field requires special handling.
Values of this field cannot be edited Specifies that the field is read-only.
Write Roles Specifies which roles are permitted to edit the field.

Learn how to work with fields in the Project Designer.

Learn to drag and drop categories in the Project Explorer.

Common Tasks:

Task Description
Read-Only Data Access Learn how to restrict access to fields by roles.
Implicit Filters with Dynamic Access Control Rules Learn how to filter lookup items based on values in the record.
Creating a New Many-to-Many Field Learn how to configure a many-to-many field.
Multiple Value Field Learn how to configure a static multiple value field.