Application Dictionary(APDD) vs Runtime Dictionary(RTDD)

APDD are the Tools Tables of Company 000. With the Tools application, you will maintain the BAAN Software creating entries in Company 000. These changes need to be moved to the directory structure by:

• Compilation:  Reports, Program Scripts and Dynamic Link Libraries
• Generate Dump:  Forms and Menus
• Conversion:  User Data, Database Information, etc.
• Direct Available:  Means that those tables are used at runtime as well

It is important to note that those items requiring a conversion will require the user to log off and login again.  This needs to be done because critical data has been changed at the Operating System level. Logging in / Starting the application again means that the bshell is able to read the changes.
Another important table is the runtime table (ttadv999). This table can be considered as a kind of shopping list for the Bshell. If the Bshell needs to run a session, it uses the information stored in the runtime table (ttadv999) to locate any objects, forms, reports, etc. which are linked to that session.

• Object
• Form
• Report

Related Questions:

• what is the need of converting software components to runtime data dictionary after any change in software component.?
• Why this is recommended that after any change in software component  we should log off Baan and login again? 

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${BSE} directory

In the ${BSE} directory there are many subdirectories with software, settings and log information.

Software:

• application: In the application directory runtime dumps of software components, like forms, menus, and report objects are stored.  Each Package VRC has its own separate directory. 
• bin: This directory contains UNIX programs used by BAAN IV.  The Bshell (Logic Server), Database drivers and many more programs are stored there.  A few examples of these programs are:

ba6.1; ASCII display server
bx6.1; X-window display server
shmmanager6.1; shared memory manager

• include6.1: This directory contains several files for standard functions and definitions used by the bshell during the compilation of program and report scripts.
• tools: The Tools software and its table and domain definitions are stored separately in the ${BSE}/tools directory.

Logging:

• tmp : BAAN IV provides the capability to repeat print requests by storing temporary files for print requests in the ${BSE}/tmp directory.  The files in this directory all start with tmp.  
•  log:  If an error occurs while the application is used, an error message is displayed on the screen.  These error messages, as well as information, is stored in a log file in the log directory.   Some examples: log.bshell, log.audit, log.repgen6.1, log.bdbpost. 

Settings:

• etc :This directory contains a number of shell scripts used by BAAN IV.  Scripts for start up, shut down, and job management can be found in this directory.
•  lib :The ${BSE}/lib directory contains the settings and driver information files. 

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The ${BSE}/lib directory

The ${BSE}/lib directory contains definition files for:

• Users
• Software
• Data
• Devices (printers)

Users

In the ${BSE}/lib/user directory, you will find the user files. These files contain information about users, such as:

• Start Menu
• Default Company (Set of Data)
• Package Combination (whether the user is in the Production Environment or in the Design Environment or elsewhere)

An example of a User File:

{BSE}/lib/tabledef6.1

 

Data

• tabledef6.1: WHAT kind of Database Management System is being used for the BAAN IV tables.  If tables are installed on a remote system, the name of that system is also displayed in the file.
• isamdef6.1: WHERE to find the tables for B-base databases.  The file contains the addresses of the ISAM tables on the system.
• compnr6.1 :  Used in the case of “SHARED TABLES” 

The ${BSE}/application directory

Software components are stored in the $BSE/application directory by Package VRC. Here is an example with the directory tdB40_b (Distribution BAAN IV b). The module sls is Sales .

• ftdsls2 Forms, English Language (Lang. 2)
• mtdsls2 Menus, English Language (Lang. 2)
• otdsls2 Report Objects English Language (Lang. 2)
• otdsls Objects
• ptdsls Program Scripts (if any)
• itdsls Include Files
• rtdsls Report Scripts

Note: Program Scripts do not automatically come with the system.

Terminology:

• Language Dependent
• Language Independent

Tables Directory (Bbase)

If a B-base database is used, the data of the BAAN IV application is stored in ISAM tables in the tables directory.

In this Figure , the tables directory contains sub-directories for the different company numbers which are used within BAAN IV.  A directory of a certain company number consists of several sub-directories for the different modules of the BAAN IV packages.  In these directories, the data is stored in ISAM tables.

An ISAM table consists of two UNIX files.  For example, tsls040200.bid and tsls040200.bdt.

The file with the .bdt extension contains the table data.  The file with the .bid extension contains the table index information.

In other Database Management Systems, parameters will be set to point to those tables in that database.

${BSE}/dict directory

The place of the dict directory can differ from installation to installation. It can be set up in, for example, /usr1/dict or /usr1/bse/dict. This figure depicts:

• Tools tables by modules
• Database Independent Model (table and domain definitions) 

In regards to Tools, it is important to note:

• The Tools Tables are company 000 representing the APDD (Application Data Dictionary).
• Tools can be divided into several modules

Some of the Tools modules are:

• aad Application Administration
• adv Application Development
• txt Text
• iex Import / Export

The Database Independent Model consists of files with domains (characteristics) and table definitions (the layout of the tables).

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Directory Structure

The Bshell acts as the logic server gathering information from the directory structure at the Operating System level. This information can be system settings or software components.  System directory paths and users definitions are examples of the type of informational settings that can be set.  Software components are objects, forms, menus, reports, etc. 
These settings and software components are created with the use of the Tools software. The Tools software writes the information in the Tools Tables (company 000).
This information must be converted into a runtime object that is made available at the operating system level.  These runtime objects are created by doing a Convert to Runtime Data Dictionary, a compile, or using generate dump.  The Bshell can now use the converted object.


DIRECTORY STRUCTURE

This figure depicts the relationship between Users, Software, and Data. Users use the software to provide an interface between them and their data.  This data can consist of system parameters or user data.

The ${BSE}/lib directory contains the setting and driver information files.

BSE is the name of a variable, which stands for BAAN Software Environment.  The location of the software environment is defined by this UNIX environment variable.  Each BAAN IV user must have a correct BSE variable set up for them.

Different user interfaces are available within BAAN. The type of equipment being used determines which user interface the user will execute.

If the user is running BA (ASCII), the environment variable is set in UNIX files like /etc/profile and a personal .profile in the home directory of the user. If you are using BW, it is set in the BW Configuration screen. 

BSE ENVIRONMENT

Short description of directories:

bse         BAAN Software Environment, it contains the software environment.

dict The dict directory contains sub-directories for the table and domain definitions                

                (data dictionary)  of each package combination as well as the BAAN IV Tools

                 package(company 000).

tables      If a B-Base database is used, the data of the BAAN IV application is stored in ISAM       

                 tables in the tables directory.

test           If a B-base database is used the test tables are stored here


Related Posts:

• $BSE directory
• APDD vs RTDD

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