Dexterity (programming language): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox programming language

The '''Dexterity programming language''' was designed in the early [[1990s]] for the implementation of platform independent graphical accounting software. Dexterity itself is written in the [[C (programming language)|C programming language]] [http://www.devnewz.com/devnewz-3-20040827GreatPlainsDexterityProgrammingOverviewforDevelopers.html]. It was used in the development of [[Great Plains (accounting)|Great Plains]] accounting software.

| name = Dexterity

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| title = Dexterity

| paradigm = [[procedural programming|Procedural]]

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| developer = [[Great Plains Software]], [[Microsoft]]

| latest release version =

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| license = [[Proprietary software]]

| file ext = .mac, .dic

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The '''Dexterity''' [[programming language''']] was designed in the earlylate [[1990s]]1980s for the implementation of [[Cross-platform|platform independent]] graphical [[accounting software]].<ref>[https://subscription.packtpub.com/book/application_development/9781849680264/1/ch01lvl1sec13/dexterity-overview Dexterity overview]</ref> Dexterity itself is written in the [[C (programming language)|C programming language]].<ref>{{cite book|author-last=Bellu|author-first=Renato|year=2018|title=Microsoft Dynamics 365 For Dummies|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|isbn=978-1119508885}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.devnewz.com/devnewz-3-20040827GreatPlainsDexterityProgrammingOverviewforDevelopers.html]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118071825/http://www.devnewz.com/devnewz-3-20040827GreatPlainsDexterityProgrammingOverviewforDevelopers.html|archive-date=2008-11-18|title=DevNews}}</ref> It was used in the development of [[Great Plains (accounting)|Great Plains]] accounting software.

[[Microsoft BusinessDynamics Solutions Great PlainsGP]], formerformerly Great Plains Software Dynamics and eEnterprise, is area Dexterity-written applicationsapplication. AlsoMicrosoft's small business line:, [[Microsoft Small Business Manager]] orand [[Small Business Financials]], iswere also written in Dexterity and usesuse the same [[Source code|code base]] as Great Plains.

==History of Dexterity==

Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, former Great Plains Software Dynamics and eEnterprise are Dexterity-written applications. Also small business line: Microsoft Small Business Manager or Small Business Financials is written in Dexterity and uses the same code base as Great Plains.

The history of the Dexterity. Great Plains Dexterity -is isa proprietary [[programming language]] and technology, designed backin tothe earlierlate 1990th1980s with the goal to build platforma platform-independent graphical accounting package - Great Plains Dynamics. Dexterity itself is written in C (followingwith popular those daysthe hope - that C willwould provide platform independence). YouThe user can install Dexterity from Greatthe PlainsDynamics 7.5GP CD #2. Obviously it requires a lot of learning / training, butand it allows your custom piecepieces to be seamlessly integrated with Greatthe PlainsDynamics GP interface.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

==Features==

The history of the Dexterity. Great Plains Dexterity - is proprietary programming language and technology, designed back to earlier 1990th with the goal to build platform independent graphical accounting package - Great Plains Dynamics. Dexterity itself is written in C (following popular those days hope - that C will provide platform independence). You can install Dexterity from Great Plains 7.5 CD #2. Obviously it requires a lot of learning / training, but it allows your custom piece be seamlessly integrated with Great Plains interface.

; Native Dexterity Cursors:

• Native Dexterity Cursors.: Dexterity was designed as a platform -independent programming language. and so ifIf you want your code to be operable on all currently supported databasesDynamics -GP youdatabases, use Dexterity ranges and loops to manipulate the records

; Dexterity with SQL Stored Procs:

• Great Plains Dexterity with SQL Stored Procs Nowadays:Currently, most ofDynamics Great PlainsGP installations arehave been moved to [[Microsoft SQL Server|MS SQL]] Server - so you can use Dexterity for custom forms drawing only and make the buttons run SQL stored procedures.

; COM Object calls:

• COM Objects calls.: Beginning with version 7.0, Dexterity supports COM objects - you register them as libraries in Dexterity. Refer to the manual as to how to do this. This technique allows you to call such nice things as [[web servicesservice]]s across the internet.

; Dynamics GP Alternate Forms:

: These are modifications to existing forms – the ones found in DYNAMICS.DIC. The most popular customizations are made on the SOP Entry form. Alternate forms are not recommended by Microsoft as they make version upgrades more difficult. Customization usually has to be redone.

; Some restrictions:

Some: restrictions.Dynamics Great PlainsGP is actually an integration of multiple dictionaries: DYNAMICS.DIC, ADVSECUR.DIC, EXP1493.DIC, etc. In your Dexterity customization you can generally deal with only one dictionary - DYNAMICS.DIC. IfIntegration youwith need crossother dictionaries customizationis -supported considerbut usingis SQL Stored Procs for crossing dictionary borders and pulling data/making changes in the other dictionarydifficult.

Dynamics GP macros can also be recorded in Dexterity. The ability to handle [[branch (computer science)|branches]] does not appear to exist in these macros.

• Native Dexterity Cursors. Dexterity was designed as platform independent programming language and so if you want your code to be operable on all currently supported databases - you use Dexterity ranges and loops to manipulate the records

==References==

• Great Plains Dexterity with SQL Stored Procs Nowadays, most of Great Plains installations are moved to SQL Server - so you can use Dexterity for custom forms drawing only and make the buttons run SQL stored procedures.

{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

• COM Objects calls. Beginning with version 7.0 Dexterity supports COM objects - you register them as libraries in Dexterity. Refer the manual. This technique allows you to call such nice things as web services across the internet.

* {{cite book|author-last=Vail|author-first=Leslie|year=2012|title=Developing Microsoft Dynamics GP Business Applications|publisher=[[Packt Publishing]]|isbn=978-1849680264}}

* {{cite book|author-last=Bellu|author-first=Renato|year=2018|title=Microsoft Dynamics 365 For Dummies|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|isbn=978-1119508885}}

==External links==

• Dexterity Forms - if you like VBA and are comfortable to do all the business logic in VBA - you can use Dexterity as new forms creator/editor. This is OK - but you have to purchase VBA/Modifier and Customization Site Enabler from MBS.

* [https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics/s-e/gp/mdgp2018_dexterityreleases_376 Dexterity Development System Releases for Microsoft Dynamics GP]

{{Microsoft Dynamics}}

• Great Plains Alternate Forms. These are modification to existing forms – the ones found in DYNAMICS.DIC. The most popular customization are made on SOP Entry form. If you are designing your customization – we recommend you to avoid alternate forms – the problem is customization version upgrade. In the case of alternate form – customization should be redone.

{{Microsoft development tools}}

[[Category:Microsoft development tools]]

Some restrictions. Great Plains is actually integration of multiple dictionaries: DYNAMICS.DIC, ADVSECUR.DIC, EXP1493.DIC, etc. In your Dexterity customization you can deal with one dictionary - DYNAMICS.DIC. If you need cross dictionaries customization - consider using SQL Stored Procs for crossing dictionary borders and pulling data/making changes in the other dictionary.

[[Category:Microsoft programming languages]]

[[Category:Procedural programming languages]]

[[Category:Programming languages created in the 1980s]]

{{Microsoft-software-stub}}