The following steps describe the process of developing a stand-alone application with Dexterity:
As with any application development process, this step involves determining exactly what you want the application to do.
For Dexterity applications, this involves defining the tables, designing the interface, deciding what scripts are needed, and designing the reports necessary for the application. It may be useful to create prototypes of parts of the application to test the interface or determine whether parts of your application are practical to implement.
Coding the basic application functions first provides a base on which the build the remainder of the application. Some of the basic functions typically found in Dexterity applications are described in the Stand-alone Application Guide. Refer to that manual for more information.
After the basic functions of the application are coded, you can code other portions that perform functions specific to your application.
As parts of the application are completed, you will want to run it using the runtime engine and test the application’s functions. Testing Dexterity applications is described in Testing Your Application. There you will also find a description the macro system that is available to all Dexterity applications. The macro system is useful for recording test procedures which allows an application to be retested easily.
To use the runtime engine to run your application, you’ll enter product information for the application dictionary and create a launch file to start the application. Adding product information is described in Setting Product Information. Using a launch file to start an application with the runtime engine is described in Using Launch Files.
After you’ve coded and finished making changes to your application, write and code any online help. Online help is described in the Stand-alone Application Guide.
Once all of the parts of the application are complete, you’ll package them in a deliverable form. Packaging an application is described in Packaging Applications.