Exprodo DB is built on Exprodo, a web-based system that is designed to be able to display and edit the contents of a database. To be able to do this, Exprodo allows the building of definitions of the data in the database. In other words, while Exprodo DB has a built-in set of data types that it handles,the user can add extra data types and modify the predefined data types by adding new properties and change the way existing properties are displayed.

 

As well as being able to create definitions of the data in a database so that the user can see and edit the database contents, Exprodo provides additional facilities to help with interaction with that data:

•Email Workflow Actions to be sent in response to data being changed

•Customisable Menus

•A Permissions system based on very adaptable Conditions

•Dynamic reporting tools.

Each of these facilities makes heavy use of the fact that the data types themselves are defined in the database. It lends itself to providing a very flexible system. Therefore, the very heart of the system is the means by which one can view and modify the definitions of the data types, and that is precisely what the Bakery does.

 

The data types themselves are called Biskit Types, and the definition of the content of a Biskit Type is known as a BiskitDef. Each BiskitDef defines certain information, such as its name, the labels used to display that name, the database table that contains the Biskit Type, and how to display the name of its Biskits (individual occurrences of the Biskit Type. i.e. User is a Bisket Type, Joe Bloggs would have a Biskit in the database defining his information as a specific occurrence of the User Bisket Type, with the properties of that Biskit filled in with his specific information.). It also stores a list of property definitions, with each property definition defining its Biskit Type, how it's stored in the database, how to display the label for the property, the tool tip text to be displayed when the mouse hovers over each property value and a number of other aspects of the property.

 

When saving Biskit Types and properties, Exprodo DB does check that reserved words have not been used for column names, table names, Biskit Types and property names. There are currently over eight hundred words such as Select, Into, From, Start, Full which are reserved. The system administrator can switch this checking off in Global Preferences, General section, but this is not advisable.

 

The Bakery allows these things to be customised, as well as adding the users own BiskitDefs so that Exprodo DB can be used to interact with the users own data.

 

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➢Property Storage Mechanisms describes static, dynamic and indirect properties.

➢Biskit Definitions gives an overview of a BiskitDef and shows the difference between the properties and meta-properties of a Biskit Type.

➢Property Definitions describes how to define the properties of a Biskit Type.

➢Formulae describes how to use formulae in Biskit Types.

➢Tag Properties describe how to add Tags to Biskits.

➢Bakery Editor describes how to create, modify and delete Biskit Types and their properties.