A Dexterity application is a combination of a few
basic components that work together to present a functioning
application.
An application
dictionary (a file with the extension .DIC) is the file
that stores all of the resources and code for your application.
When you use Dexterity to create new windows, tables and reports,
you’re adding objects, or resources,
to the application dictionary.
The runtime
engine (RUNTIME.EXE) is an executable application that
interprets the contents of the dictionary to present a functioning
application to users.
The dictionary DEX.DIC, which contains resources used by the
runtime engine as it interprets an application dictionary.
Although additional files are required for a
Dexterity application to operate properly, these are the basic
components. The following sections explain each of these components
and the role each plays in a Dexterity application.