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

{{compu-lang-stub}}

| title = Dexterity

| paradigm = [[procedural programming|Procedural]]

| released =

| designer =

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

| latest release version =

| latest release date =

| latest preview version =

| latest preview date =

| license = [[Proprietary software]]

| file ext = .mac, .dic

| website =

| influenced_by =

}}

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.

The history==History of the 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.

Great Plains Dexterity - is a proprietary [[programming language]] and technology, designed in the earlylate 1990s1980s with the goal to build a platform-independent graphical accounting package - Great Plains Dynamics. Dexterity itself is written in C (with the hope that C would provide platform independence). YouThe user can install Dexterity from Greatthe PlainsDynamics 7.5GP CD #2. It requires a lot of learning / training, butand it allows custom pieces to be seamlessly integrated with the GreatDynamics PlainsGP interface.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

==Features==

The history of the Dexterity:

•; Native Dexterity Cursors:

Great Plains Dexterity - is proprietary programming language and technology, designed in the early 1990s with the goal to build a platform-independent graphical accounting package - Great Plains Dynamics. Dexterity itself is written in C (with the hope that C would provide platform independence). You can install Dexterity from Great Plains 7.5 CD #2. It requires a lot of learning / training, but it allows custom pieces to be seamlessly integrated with the Great Plains interface.

: Dexterity was designed as a platform-independent programming language. If you want code to be operable on all currently supported GreatDynamics PlainsGP databases, use Dexterity ranges and loops to manipulate the records

• Great Plains; Dexterity with SQL Stored Procs:

:Currently, most ofDynamics Great PlainsGP installations have 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 ObjectsObject calls:

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

•; GreatDynamics PlainsGP Alternate Forms:

: These are modificationmodifications to existing forms – the ones found in DYNAMICS.DIC. The most popular customizations are made on the SOP Entry form. IfAlternate youforms are designingnot yourrecommended customizationby –Microsoft weas recommendthey thatmake youversion avoidupgrades alternatemore forms – the problem is customization version upgradedifficult. InCustomization theusually casehas of an alternate form – customization shouldto be redone.

•; Some restrictions:

Great: Dynamics 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.

GreatDynamics PlainsGP macros arecan 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 a platform-independent programming language. If you want code to be operable on all currently supported Great Plains databases, use Dexterity ranges and loops to manipulate the records

==References==

• Great Plains Dexterity with SQL Stored Procs:

{{Reflist}}

Currently, most of Great Plains installations have been moved to MS SQL Server - so you can use Dexterity for custom forms drawing only and make the buttons run SQL stored procedures.

==Further reading==

• COM Objects calls:

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

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

* {{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:

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

Using VBA to handle all the business logic - you can use Dexterity as a new forms creator/editor. This requires the purchase of VBA/Modifier and Customization Site Enabler from MBS.

{{Microsoft Dynamics}}

• Great Plains Alternate Forms:

{{Microsoft development tools}}

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

[[Category:Microsoft development tools]]

• Some restrictions:

[[Category:ProceduralMicrosoft programming languages]]

Great Plains is actually an 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:Curly bracketProcedural programming languages]]

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

{{Microsoft-software-stub}}

Great Plains macros are also recorded in Dexterity. The ability to handle [[branch (computer science)|branches]] does not appear to exist in these macros.

[[Category:Programming languages]]

[[Category:Curly bracket programming languages]]

[[Category:Procedural programming languages]]