ONLINE HELP
 WINDEVWEBDEV AND WINDEV MOBILE

Help / Editors / Data model editor / Logical Data Model
  • Overview
  • What is a metatype?
  • How to?
  • Using a metatype proposed by the data model editor
  • Creating a metatype that will be proposed by the data model editor
  • Importing a metatype into the data model editor
WINDEV
WindowsLinuxUniversal Windows 10 AppJavaReports and QueriesUser code (UMC)
WEBDEV
WindowsLinuxPHPWEBDEV - Browser code
WINDEV Mobile
AndroidAndroid Widget iPhone/iPadIOS WidgetApple WatchMac CatalystUniversal Windows 10 App
Others
Stored procedures
Overview

What is a metatype?

A metatype is a combination of characteristics of an item and a bound control.
For example a "Fax" metatype will contain the type and length of the item, the input mask, the alignment, ...
Then, this information will be used in all the modules, for each action. The definition of the analysis is therefore simplified as well as the process for RAD generation, the automatic creation of a control, ...
You can:
How to?

Using a metatype proposed by the data model editor

To create an item from a metatype in the data model editor:
  1. In the data model editor, display the description of the desired data file items (double-click on the data file).
  2. Click .
  3. The following window appears:
  4. Specify a keyword in the combo box and click the "Find" button. Once the requested metatype is found, click its image. Its characteristics are displayed.
  5. Validate. The corresponding item is automatically created.
Remark: When creating the item, you can also select "Metatype" in the list of available item names.

Creating a metatype that will be proposed by the data model editor

To create a metatype in the data model editor:
  1. In the data model editor, display the description of the desired data file items (double-click on the data file).
  2. Click .
  3. The metatype management window is displayed.
  4. Click the "New " button (below the "User metatypes" option) to create a metatype.
  5. In the window that is displayed, specify:
    • in the "General" tab:
      • Name of the metatype.
      • Description of the metatype.
      • Image of the metatype.
    • in the "Parameters" tab:
      • the type and the sub-type of the item (this information corresponds to the options selected for the base item of the metatype).
      • the default value.
      • the shared information (this information corresponds to the options selected for the base item of the metatype).
    • in the "Advanced" tab
      The keywords associated with the metatype. These keywords are used to easily find a metatype.
  6. Validate the creation of the metatype. The metatype is saved in a file in XML format. By default, this file is saved in the "\Personal\Metatype" subdirectory of WINDEV, WEBDEV or WINDEV Mobile. This metatype can then be imported into the data model editor of another computer.

Importing a metatype into the data model editor

To import a metatype into the data model editor:
  1. In the data model editor, select "Analysis .. Import a user metatype".
    Remark: To access this option, use the main menu accessible via the version logo:
  2. Select the XML file corresponding to the metatype to import. This XML file was created when creating the metatype.
Minimum version required
  • Version 9
This page is also available for…
Comments
Click [Add] to post a comment

Last update: 08/30/2023

Send a report | Local help