1 - Define Files
You use the Define Files option to define or modify the structure of a file. The structure consists of the individual fields. The fields are individual categories of information, (e.g., "name", "address", etc.). When specifying a field, it is composed of 3 elements; 1-field heading (name), 2-length (maximum number of characters allowed), 3 field type (type of data allowed, or "edit"). Once a file is defined you can immediately begin entering your data or you can go on to create customized data-entry screens, reports, etc. If any field types were used that do not currently exist, you must define a "User Edit" for each of them before you can enter data.
2 - Define Screens
You use the Define Screens option to design the data-entry screen that the end user will work with to view, enter, modify, create, or delete record information.
3 - Define Output
Output provides you with useful information based on information in the database. You can design reports, mailing labels, full page forms and other output formats in Define Output that will provide you and other users with meaningful information in any format you choose. The results can be printed, displayed on your screen, or written to another file. (You can also specify the batch processing of records without any printed output).
4 - Define Edits
"Edits" are special rules you create to control the data that is entered into a field. Edits can also automatically reformat the information entered. For example, the "phone" edit, when assigned to a field, takes the numbers "9147692150" and automatically reformats them to "(914) 769-2150". In Define Edits, you can go beyond the many built-in edits provided and create your own. The built-in edits are called "GLOBAL" edits.
5 - Define Processing
In "Define Processing" you create the instructions ("processing") which tells filePro Plus how to manipulate the data.
6 - Define User Menus
Here is where you can create your own menus and submenus. You can specify up to 24 choices on a menu with each choice having it's own descriptive message. Customizing your application is easy since you decide what choices and what descriptions will be available. The filePro Plus main menu and the "fpmenu" menu are examples of menus created with this option.
7 - Printer Maintenance
Printer Maintenance allows you to take advantage of special features and characters available on your printers when you print reports, mailing labels, and forms.