Use the System Database window to manage the available system definitions. A system definition identifies a work breakdown structure (WBS) and its associated system tables, including weight group and parameter definitions. These are shared definitions, rather than the individual items and values entered in a project.
Open Database > Administrator > System databases.... The window lists the systems in the connected system database.
Fields in the system list
Field
Description
ID
The unique identifier of the system definition. Related system-table records use this identifier to identify the system they belong to.
Description
A descriptive name or explanation of the system.
DBPrefix
The database prefix associated with the system. It is used when identifying the project's database setup. Use different prefixes for active systems; the window warns if more than one active system uses the same prefix.
Active
Controls whether the system is available for selection in the Logon window. Clear the checkbox to hide a system from that selection while retaining its definition and tables.
TopWgtGrp
The ID of the top weight group in the system's WBS. Select a weight group from the drop-down list.
TempWgtGrp
The ID of the temporary weight group used by this system. Select a weight group from the drop-down list.
XParam, YParam, ZParam
The numeric parameter IDs used as the main dimensions in the X, Y and Z directions. Select from the system's decimal parameter definitions. These refer to project parameters, rather than the display titles of the item's centre-of-gravity coordinates.
Edit a system definition
Select a cell and click it again to edit its value. Text fields use an edit box; weight group and parameter fields provide drop-down lists. Click the checkbox in Active to change its state. Move to another row to save the edited row, or use Close to finish editing and close the window.
To rename a system ID, edit the ID cell and enter a unique ID. The program updates the associated system-table identifiers. There is no need to copy and delete the system merely to change its ID.
Use the empty row at the bottom of the list to enter another system definition. Entering a row does not copy the WBS or parameter definitions from another system. Use Copy when you want a new system based on an existing one.
Copy a system
1. Select the system to use as a starting point.
2. Click Copy and enter a new, unique system ID.
3. The program copies the system settings and associated system-table records.
4. Review the copied definition before using it. Copy initially retains the source system's DBPrefix and Active setting, so assign a suitable distinct prefix or deactivate the copy.
Copying a system copies its definitions; it does not copy the items in a project.
Edit the system tables
Select a system and click Edit to open the table editor for that system. Use it to inspect or modify the system's underlying tables. This differs from editing a cell in the system list, which changes the settings shown in this window.
Deactivate or delete a system
Clear Active when you want to retain a system but remove it from the Logon selection.
To remove a system definition and its associated system-table records, select it, click Delete and confirm the operation. The Delete command prevents deletion of the system used by the currently open database. Before removing a system, check whether other projects still require it. Deactivating a system is preferable when it may be needed again.
Right-click commands
Select a system before opening the right-click menu. Copy System, Edit System and Delete System provide the same operations as the buttons.
Import System (textfile) and Export System (textfile) transfer system definitions through text files. These commands concern system data, rather than importing or exporting project items through the Data File Import window. The commands require the corresponding import or export permission.
Use Print Table to print the displayed system list, or Copy Table to copy it for use in another application. These operations require output permission.
Close the window
Click Close to save any pending row edit and close the window. Changes are also saved when you move between rows; closing with the title-bar cross should not be treated as an undo operation for previously saved changes.
If duplicate prefixes are found among active systems, the program warns before closing. Choose to cancel closing if you want to review and correct the prefixes.
When this window is opened as a system-selection dialog, the confirmation button is labelled OK and a Cancel button is shown. In this mode, the list is used to select a system rather than edit its text fields.
The Help button and F1 open this topic.