Adlib Designer

Maintain and manage your application yourself

Application Manager

Application Manager is one of the key components of Adlib Designer It can be used to modify the system data structure and the user interface and configure a variety of functions including; data security, user authentication, indexing, import/export options and print functions. An important feature is the ability to tailor the data access rights for the users of your application. You can configure user groups, roles and rights to suit your own needs.

Screen Manager

The Screen Manager enables you to manage the screen forms that are used in your application. You can control the layout and design (using the WYSIWYG screen editor) of any application screen. You can determine which fields will appear in which screen, and can create an unlimited number of screens. For example, you can make screens for specific groups of users who only require particular fields.

Import/Export Job Manager

Importing data from other databases can help to eliminate a lot of re-keying. In order to import any given database, the data file(s) must be converted for use in the Adlib database. To create an import job, you map fields in the data file to be converted to fields in the Adlib database. You can define an export job to export the entire Adlib database in a format that can also be used by other systems.

Translations Manager

The Translations Manager can be used to translate an application into another language. This feature allows you to quickly translate application texts (such as field and file names, screen names, etc.). Texts which match those already translated are also translated in a single action. .

Recovery Manager

The Recovery Manager will be your saviour if your database is ever damaged, for example, by hardware problems. You can restore a back-up and use the log file to retrieve the modifications made since the backup was taken. The primary purpose of the this tool is database recovery, but it can also be used to recover records that have been accidentally deleted.

ADAPL

Adlib has its own programming language: the Adlib Application Programming Language (ADAPL). ADAPL programmes are used in various areas of an Adlib application. For example, they can be used to perform complex processing tasks when importing data. These tasks could include dividing fields or transforming data formats. You can also use such programmes to automatically perform tasks when storing records, such as automatically completing required fields or complex formatting validations. ADAPL can also be used to generate complex reports, particularly those with special processing or calculation requirements.

Tools to make life easier

In addition to the components outlined above, Adlib Designer also contains a number of tools to conduct tasks over an entire application. These include:

Adlib Designer Help

Adlib Designer features an extensive help feature to supports the application manager. All settings and changes that can be made in Adlib Designer have been described and documented, with examples given wherever possible. The help feature is context-related, and searchable.

Training

It is essential to know how to use the powerful Designer software correctly. Courses are available that explain Adlib’s file and application structure and the possibilities offered by Adlib Designer. Please note, prior experience in the use of Adlib application software is a pre-requisite of attendance on Designer training.