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Back in Exercise Two (2), we imported raw table information into the dictionary. Although this is the fastest and most accurate way of defining your tables in the data dictionary, the file format information that is also imported may not be the best display format for your applications.

For example, a table may store a zip code as a 4-byte integer on disk. A zip code of //33024//, using the default picture for that data type, will be displayed as //33,024//. If the zip code stores an extension, it may be worse. For example, 330241159 stored in the table would appear as 330,241,159 by default.

Also, some data types should not be accessible to the user, like an order number or customer number. By default, all columns imported into the dictionary are designated as entry data types.

**This exercise demonstrates the art of fine tuning your dictionary elements defined.**

{{tipbox.jpg|TipBox.jpg}}

**The more time spent fine tuning your dictionary, the more time you will save generating a near perfect application using the various wizard tools!**

**Auto Number your Numeric Unique Keys**

1.Highlight the //Customer// table in the **DCT Explorer** list.

2.In the //Keys// View, RIGHT-CLICK on //KeyCustNumber//, and select **Properties** from the popup menu.

3.In the **Attributes** group, check the **Auto Number** check box.

This will effectively cause any new customer that we add to automatically be assigned with the next sequential customer number (by default).

4.Press **Save and Close **to close the //Customer// window.

5.Highlight the //Orders// table in the **DCT Explorer** list.

6.In the //Keys// View, RIGHT-CLICK on //KeyOrderNumber//, and select **Properties** from the popup menu.

7.In the **Attributes** group, check the **Auto Number** check box.

This will effectively cause any new order that we add to automatically be assigned with the next sequential order number (by default).

8.Press **Save and Close** to close the //ORDERS// window.

**Set the Autonumber Unique Columns as Display Only**

After adding the auto numbering capability to our numeric unique keys, we can also change the display characteristics of the auto number column(s). The reason for this is that we do not want the user to be able to modify a number that is automatically assigned. In some applications, developers sometimes like to hide this information all together from the user by not populating it. In our application, we will choose to display this information, but not allow the user to modify it.

1.Highlight the //Customer// table in the **DCT Explorer** list.

2.RIGHT-CLICK on the //CustNumber// column in the **Fields** list, and select **Properties** from the popup menu.

3.Select the **Controls** tab. Change the **Control Type:** from //Entry// to //String//, and press the **Save and Close button **to close the //Customer// window.

4.Highlight the //Orders// table in the **Tables** list.

5.RIGHT-CLICK on the //OrderNumber// column in the **Fields** list, and select **Properties** from the popup menu.

6.Select the **Controls** tab. Change the control type from //Entry// to //String//, and press the **Save and Close button **to close the //Orders// window.

Examine this section carefully before proceeding to the next section. By choosing the properties for a control at this time, you can save time later. Every application you generate from the dictionary, and every procedure in the application will automatically format the control the way you want it. If you don't format it here, and if the control requires custom formatting, you will have to custom format it for each procedure and application later. Let's continue this thought to our next section.

**Column Display Formatting**

**Several columns contained in our imported tables will make better sense if we can present that data in a more readable format. For example, a date may be stored as a long integer in our table, but what does 75543 really mean? This could be 75543 days that has occurred from a base date, but is that useful to the user?**

1.In the //Orders// table, RIGHT-CLICK on the //OrderDate// column, and select **Properties** from the popup menu.

2.In the **Screen Picture** entry, type //@D2//. Press the **Save and Close button **to close the //Orders// window.

Clarion provides a number of different date and time picture formats that are used with date and time data types. Click [[date pictures 1.htm|here]] for a brief discussion of the date formats.

3.Highlight the //Customer// table in the **DCT Explorer** list.

4.RIGHT-CLICK on the //ZipCode// column in the **Columns** list, and select **Properties** from the popup menu.

5.In the **Screen Picture** entry, type //@P#####P//. Press the **Save and Close **button** **to close the //CUSTOMER// window.

The zip codes stored in our Customer table are 5-digit zip codes. However, in the raw picture format, you would see 33,334 for a zip code of 33334, and 6,792 for a zip code of 06792. The picture entered above is called a //pattern// picture. For a quick look at example pattern pictures, click [[pattern pictures 1.htm|here]].

6.Press **Save and Close** from the DCT Explorer toolbar. If you are prompted to save changes to //GSLesson.DCT//, press the **Yes** button to save and close the Dictionary Editor.

[[exercise nine regenerate your program using the wizards.htm|Exercise Eight - Create your Program using the Wizards]]