Dexterity (programming language): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox programming language

| name = Dexterity

| 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 late 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 Dynamics GP]], formerly Great Plains Dynamics and eEnterprise, is a Dexterity-written application. Microsoft's small business line, [[Microsoft Small Business Manager]] and [[Small Business Financials]], were also written in Dexterity and use the same [[Source code|code base]] as Great Plains.

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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 Small Business Manager or Small Business Financials is written in Dexterity and uses the same code base as Great Plains.

==History of the Dexterity==

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==

; Native Dexterity Cursors:

: 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.

; DexterityDynamics GP 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.

: 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.

; Some restrictions:

; Great Plains Alternate Forms:

: GreatDynamics 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.

: 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.

; Some restrictions:

: 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.

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.

==References==

[[Category:Curly bracket programming languages]]

{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

* {{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==

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

{{Microsoft Dynamics}}

{{Microsoft development tools}}

[[Category:Microsoft development tools]]

[[Category:Curly bracketMicrosoft programming languages]]

[[Category:Procedural programming languages]]

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

{{Microsoft-software-stub}}