Sprezzatura FAQ Pages

Every file (sometimes called table) in AREV is actually made up of two logical files, the data portion where the information is actually kept, and the dictionary portion where the description of the data is kept.

So in the dictionary file it will have a record that says 'when the user asks for the learner name, give them the fifth field in the record', or 'when they ask for the units look up the learner here and retrieve this field'. The great advantage of this is that we can change data structures on the fly so if we need to change the OCN database we don't need to unload the data, make the changes then reload the data.

Imagine it if you like to be like a filing cabinet where the dictionary items are the labelled suspended files and the data is the contents. If someone asks you for the Expense Claim Forms, you don't think 'hmm - that'll be in draw 3, folder 7' you look for the folder tab 'Expense Claim Forms'. So it is with dictionary items - we don't look for column 3 we look for 'Name'.

Jargon busters!

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