Business records (data sets)

Business records model the data definition, structure and table relationships of the data used in a form, report, or web service. Business records are designed and modified in the Business Records diagram.

Business records inherit their default information from the meta-schema from which they were created.

Forms

Business records for forms model the data definition, structure, and table relationships for the form data.

For forms generated by the BAM, this models the data required to generate the different CRUD operations for the form. When you design a form, a record is automatically created for each container on the form. The Records tab displays the screen record for the form in the Business Records diagram, showing of all the database field names that make up the fields on the form itself.

Reports

Business records for reports (4rd) contain the data definition, structure, and table relationships required to generate a data schema (.rdd). The data schema is then used as input in the report design process, providing details about the data for the report designer creating the Genero report definition (4rp) file. A 4rd file opens the Business Record diagram.

Web Services

Business records for web services (4ws) contain the data definition, structure, and table relationships required to generate the different CRUD operations for the web service. A 4ws file opens in the Business Record diagram.

Tip: Where possible, use a single data set, gathering multiple database tables into this data set. The database can then use a single SELECT statement, which allows for better performance than running multiple queries. However, multiple data sets are necessary in some cases; for example, you need multiple independent lists of data in your reports, or your query is too complex for the database engine.