8.2.1.1. Applications

In the Applications group of the Home tab, users are provided access to the following set of commands:

1. Add: This button allows users to add a new application.
   • If selected, it will display the Application window. In this window, users can set the name and title of the application.
     
     • Name: This is a text field that allows users to input the name of the application.
       • This is the name that the application will be registered under in the database. This name will also be used later on as part of the established naming convention.
       • It is recommended that the name of an application be kept short and simple. It cannot contain spaces or special characters.
     • Title: This is a text field that allows users to input the title of the application.
       • This is the title that the application will be registered under in the Application Tree of the Designer.
       • Unlike the name, the title of an application can be longer and more descriptive. It can include spaces and special characters.
     • Create or Cancel: To create and save the application, click on the Create button. To cancel this process, click on the Cancel button.
       • Once an application has been created, the results are recorded in the Output section of the Designer.

*To avoid database corruption, if multiple users are working on the same server and using the same naming convention, it is recommended that you include your initials as part of the application name and title.

2. Remove: This button allows users to remove an application.
   • To begin the removal process, select the application from the Application Tree and then click on the Remove button. It will display the Dependencies window. In this window, users can access an overview of the selected application, including its dependent objects.
     
     • Yes or No: To confirm the removal, click on the Yes button. To cancel, click on the No button.
       • Once an application has been removed, the results are recorded in the Output section of the Designer.

3. Export: This button allows users to export an application.
   • If selected, it will display the Export window. Depending on the settings configured in this window, a backup file will be created for the selected application in the .rba format.
     
     • Application: This is a single-select dropdown field that retrieves the list of applications (from the Application Tree). It allows users to select the application that they would like to export.
       • Users can also determine the application in advance by selecting it from the Application Tree before clicking on the Export button.
     • Export to File: This field allows users to specify the physical path/folder to which the file will be exported. It is a mandatory field.
       • To select this location, click on the button. Users will also need to specify the name under which the file will be saved.
     • Password & Confirm Password: These are text fields that allow users to input and confirm the password.
       • Once a password has been set, the output file will be locked and thenceforth can only be accessed using the password.
     • Export Custom Data: This is a checkbox which, if selected, allows users to export custom data.
       • All entities belonging to the application will, in turn, be selected for export.
     • Entities: In this section, users can access the list of the entities belonging to the application.
       • To select an entity for export, enable the checkbox adjacent to it.
         • Once the user has determined that they would like to proceed with the export, all selected entities/field data will be transferred to the specified database.
       • Selecting an entity automatically selects all attributes of that entity. To alter this selection, use the Columns field adjacent to the entity.
         • If the Columns field is selected, it will display the Column Selector window.
           
           • In this window, users can specify their preferences as to which (and in what situation) attributes are copied
     • Progress: This bar is used to visualize the progress of the data transfer.
     • Proceed or Cancel: To continue with the export, click on the Proceed button. To cancel, click on the Cancel button.
       • To enable the Proceed button, users must first set up the file in its intended folder.

4. Import: This button allows users to import an application into the Designer.
   • If selected, it will display the Import window.
     
     • Exported File: This field allows users to select the file/application that they would like to import. It is a mandatory field.
       • To select the .rba file, click on the button.
     • Get Backup Before Import: This is a checkbox which, if selected, allows users to backup existing data before the import.
     • Import Custom Data: This is a checkbox which, if selected, allows users to import custom data.
     • Progress: This bar is used to visualize the progress of the data transfer.
     • Import or Cancel: To proceed with the import, click on the Import button. To cancel, click on the Cancel button.
       • To enable the Import button, users must first select the intended file/application.

!It is advisable to backup existing data before importing data.