Empress Software 4GL User's Guide
Empress v8.62
May 2006

(Unix only)

© 1983, 2006 Empress Software Inc.

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05/06


This manual presents an overview of Empress 4GL. It explains the conventions used in Empress 4GL and provides general 4GL concept. The 4GL programming language and development tools are introduced along with examples.


Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: Introduction

1.1 What is Empress 4GL?
1.2 Capabilities of Empress 4GL
1.3 Features of Empress 4GL

1.3.1 Features that do not Require Programming

1.4 Invoking Empress 4GL

CHAPTER 2: Empress 4GL Programming Language

2.1 Forms
2.2 Windows
2.3 Fields

2.3.1 Field Name
2.3.2 Video Type
2.3.3 Fill Flag
2.3.4 Field Delimiter
2.3.5 Fixed Size Flag
2.3.6 Left/Right Entry Flag
2.3.7 Edit Pattern
2.3.8 Domain Name
2.3.9 Window Name

2.4 Key
2.5 Scripts

2.5.1 Script Language
2.5.2 Variable Declarations
2.5.3 Control Statements
2.5.4 Database Statements
2.5.5 System Functions
2.5.6 Administrative Functions

CHAPTER 3: Empress 4GL Development Tools

3.1 Default Application Generator
3.2 Application Generator
3.3 Application Manager
3.4 Form Manager
3.5 Source Debugger
3.6 Application Editor
3.7 Form Editor
3.8 Executable Builder
3.9 Compiler and Linker

CHAPTER 4: Examples

4.1 Getting Started

4.1.1 Database Structure

4.2 Help Screen
4.3 Creating Forms

4.3.1 Getting Help for the Form Editor
4.3.2 Typing in Text
4.3.3 Creating a Box
4.3.4 Creating Fields
4.3.5 Changing the Field Definition

4.4 Defining Windows

4.4.1 Window Definition
4.4.2 Show Window

4.5 Defining Fields

4.5.1 Field Scripts

4.6 Defining Keys

4.6.1 Assigning a Function Key
4.6.2 Defining the Key Script

4.7 Accessing the Database

4.7.1 Default Application Generator

4.7.1.1 Form
4.7.1.2 Application Enter Script
4.7.1.3 Field Enter and Exit Scripts
4.7.1.4 Key Scripts
4.7.1.5 Application Exit Script

4.7.2 Application Generator

4.7.2.1 Forms
4.7.2.2 Application Enter Script
4.7.2.3 Field Enter and Exit Scripts
4.7.2.4 Key Scripts
4.7.2.5 Application Exit Script

4.8 Print Application

APPENDIX A: Edit Patterns