Definition of Field Groups 

A field group combines related fields together into a meaningful unit. It provides you with a preselection, so that you do not have to search through all fields of a data source just to produce a simple list.

This means that the end-user only has access to precisely those fields assigned to a field group. Fields must be assigned to a field group before they can be used in queries.

Preassigning Field Groups

If you made your entries in the dialog box Title and Database, then field groups are prepared.

If the InfoSet is created using a single table or using a table join, then the following dialog box appears:

You can choose here which fields should be assigned to field groups.

If the InfoSet is created using a logical database then the following applies:

Where the logical database contains a maximum of four nodes, exactly one field group will be created for each node. If the logical database contains more than four nodes then you can determine first, in a dialog, for which nodes a field group should be prepared. For this, the structure tree of the logical database is displayed in a dialog box. Each node, that should have a field group prepared for it, can be selected here with a checkbox.

The prepared field groups have the same long texts as the corresponding nodes. They are empty, meaning that no fields have been assigned to them.

The logical database F1S consists of three hierarchically-arranged tables Three field groups are generated in advance accordingly:

The predefined and perhaps preassigned field groups can be changed in any way you like. Long text can be changed. Field groups can be deleted or taken up afresh. You are recommended, however, to use and keep the preset 1:1 relationship between field groups and tables, or nodes.

The technology of retrieving predefined content has already been previously realized in the framework of InfoSet maintenance using the InfoSet generator for HR InfoSets (logical databases PNP, PCH and PAP). The existing generation shows a generalization of this technology. The InfoSet generator for HR InfoSets, however, still remains active, meaning that if InfoSets are created using logical databases PNP, PCH, or PAP, then this generator is used for retrieving the predefined content.

There are two different generators for InfoSets with this. You can also use additional generators, some can either be used generally for all InfoSets and others just for certain data sources. You can find information on connecting additional generators in the section Application-specific Enhancements.

For an InfoSet with a data retrieval program, a field group is created with all fields of the data structure.

Creating a New Field Group

To create a field group, proceed as follows:

  1. Choose the symbol Create from the function toolbar (or function Edit ® Field Group ® Create Field Group). A window appears where you can define single or multiple new field groups.
  2. Enter an abbreviation and a long text for each field group.

    3. The abbreviation for a field group can consist of any character that you want. The abbreviation only serves a technical purpose within an InfoSet when fields are being assigned to field groups.

  3. Choose Continue.

For further information, refer to the following sections.