During data entry, all data files will be indexed according to unique case identification fields, and can optionally be indexed according to other non-unique fields. Index files can be re-created at any time using the Index Utility. At the heart of the system lie several key objects. The Data Dictionaries are a description of the data files. Forms define how data are going to be entered, retrieved and viewed.
Users create applications to perform data processing tasks.
The Designer is the user interface by which one specifies these tasks. An important project requirement is to make this interface as friendly as possible to ensure that non-programmers can most effectively use the system. The new system will include dramatic improvements over its predecessors. The GUI will also provide ways to specify editing and tabulation logic visually and interactively. This means that many users will be able to perform consistency checks on their data and specify how their tables will be created without having to write any programming statements.