Shortcut Key − A keystroke or keystroke combination that moves to another
screen or function within Navision.
Sort − The ability to change the order in which records are displayed or printed.
SQL − Structured Query Language.
Status Bar − Located at bottom of the application window; it shows the name
and contents of the active field, work date, user ID, and whether a filter
(FILTER), insert (INS), or overwrite (OVR) mode is on.
System Date − The date of your computer.
Table − A table consists of a group of related records, each record is made up of
fields and each field holds one piece of information; one example of a table is the
entire listing of Vendor records. One of seven Object types in Navision.
Table Filter − This option enables you to set multiple Field Filters on a table,
limiting the amount of information displayed or printed.
Tabular Window − A data view that has multiple records per window,
displaying information about several customers, vendors, items, etc. at one time.
See also Card Window and List.
Text Box − A small box in a dialog box or window; it is used for entering
information necessary for the execution of a command.
Title Bar − Located at the top of the screen; displays the name of the company
you are currently working in and the name of program (Navision).
Toggle Mark (CTRL+F1) − A function that allows you select certain records
for viewing, posting, etc. When selected, a diamond appears in front of the
Record Indicator of the record you are on. If you move off of the record, the
diamond remains. You may limit your view by selecting VIEW→MARKED ONLY.
Toolbar − Located just below the Menu Bar; contains a row of iconic buttons to
give quick access to frequently used functions such as editing, filtering and
locating data.
TrendScape Window − A form in Navision that allows the user to view a
summary of data by a time period, such as by day, week, month, quarter or year
or Accounting Period.
Work Date − The date displayed in the Status Bar; may be set by accessing
TOOLS→WORK DATE. If you do not change the Work Date, it will default to be
your system date.
XMLports − The XMLport object is conceptually related to a dataport; you also
use XMLports to import and export data, but in XML format. XMLports make
the process of exchanging data in XML between systems more simple and
streamlined. One of seven Object types in Navision.
Zoom (CTRL+F8) − Allows you to view fields and the values for those fields
which are not included in the current screen display.
ZUP File − A file in which a user's specific screen modifications are stored, the
file is named FIN.ZUP.
Object Designer − The interface used to modify or design additional forms,
reports, tables, dataports and codeunits.
Objects − The building blocks of Navision. There are seven types of objects:
Forms, Tables, Reports, Dataports, Codeunits, XMLports, and the MenuSuite.
ODBC − An acronym for Open Database Connectivity. ODBC enables Navision
to be linked and data copied to Excel, Crystal Reports, etc.
Option Button − A circular field which serves to select only one option from
those listed. Clicking in this field indicates the desired choice.
Option List − One of four types of AssistButtons. The Option List is a short,
predefined list from which the user selects the desired choice.
Order − An original entry document in Purchases and Sales allowing
information to be recorded and posted for purposes of recording amounts due
to/from Vendors and Customers. Orders differ from Invoices in that Receiving
and/or Shipping are done from an Order.
Passwords − Necessary when security has been setup; used in combination with
the User Id to log into Navision. Data entry in Navision is case sensitive in the
Password field.
Primary Key − A field in a table that is used to identify the record in the table
and is therefore required to have a unique value.
Pull-Down Menu − A listing of options available from a menu button or menu
item.
Purchase Invoice − Used to record vendor bills that do not have inventory items
on them, vouchers would be recorded here.
Record − One line of a table, for example a single Customer in a listing. A
record contains multiple fields and a table contains multiple records.
Record Indicator − Appears to the left of the record you are focused on in a List
or Tabular Window.
Recorder Buttons − A series of buttons on the Tool Bar that are used to move
through a list of records.
Reports − A printout of information from the database; reports are generally
used internally by management. One of seven Object types in Navision.
Restore − A process whereby you create a database and populate it with the
information held in your backup file.
Request Form − The form that is displayed prior to printing or previewing a
report that allows the user to set filters and select options prior to printing.
Master Item − The primary table in a granule, around which that granule
functions. For instance, Customers are the Master Item in Sales; Vendors in
Purchases; and Contacts in Marketing.
Menu Bar − Located just below the Title Bar; this standard Windows feature
contains pull-down menus to select functions such as creating new companies,
design tools, and help.
Menu Button − Have a downward-pointing triangle on them and they are found
on the majority of windows. When clicked, they display a menu from which you
can, for example, select a function, open a different window or open a submenu.
MenuSuite − The MenuSuite object contains the menus that are displayed in the
Navigation Pane and in the Navigation Pane Designer. Each menu contains
content for a specific departmental area, for example, Finance or Manufacturing.
One of seven Object types in Navision.
Navigate − A function that allows the user to view a summary of the number and
type of entries related to the document. When you select the entry you want in
the table and click Navigate, you will see a list of the records - grouped according
to table - that have the same document number and the same posting date as the
entry you selected.
Navigation Pane − When you open Navision, the Navigation Pane will appear
on the left side of the Application Window. The Navigation Pane lists options
that allow you to choose the application area, such as Financial Management and
Sales & Marketing.
Ellipsis Button − One of the four types of AssistButtons. Ellipsis Buttons are
used to view system-filtered options.
Field − Used to enter or display information; consists of a field name, definition
and field contents.
Field Filter − A filter that is set on a single field in a table, limiting the amount
of information displayed or printed.
Filters − A tool that allows the user to limit the scope of information presented
online or in printed format; the three filters are Field, Table and Flow.
Flow Filter − A filter which limits the amount of information presented based on
a value that posted with the entries. Flow Filters are set on fields that end with
the word Filter.
Focus − Where the cursor is placed in Navision, also see Insertion Point.
Form − Displays information on the screen and gives access for editing, deleting
and adding data in either a card or tabular form. One of seven Object types in
Navision.
Function Keys − Each of the function keys has a shortcut assigned to it and
using the combination of the CONTROL or SHIFT key with a Function key
provides additional shortcuts. The availability of the various shortcuts is screen
dependent, this may be reviewed by accessing Help, Overview of F Keys
(ALT+F1).
Granule − A basic building block of Navision allowing firms to purchase only
the functionality they need.
HTML − An acronym for hypertext markup language, a format widely used on
the web.
Inline Editing − Used to change the contents of selected fields in posted entries;
accessed by clicking F2 twice.
Insertion Point − The spot where text is entered when it is typed. Normally
appears as a blinking vertical line in a window or a dialog box. Also called the
cursor because the blinking vertical line is one form the cursor can take.
Invoice − An original entry document in Purchases and Sales allowing
information to be recorded and posted for purposes of recording amounts due
to/from Vendors and Customers. Invoices differ from Orders in that Receiving
and/or Shipping are not done from an Invoice.
Key − A field or combination of fields in a table that may be used to sort the
table.
Ledger Entries − Posted activity linked to a table.
License − A file containing a record of the Navision granules purchased by your
company; may be viewed by selecting TOOLS→LICENSE INFORMATION.
List − A data view which has multiple records per window, displaying
information about several customers, vendors, items, etc. at one time; another
way of describing a Tabular Window. The List button is accessed from a Card
view by selecting the List button from the Toolbar.
Look Up − One of four types of AssistButtons. The upward arrow indicates this
is a way to view another table; once viewed, data may be retrieved and inserted
into the field you accessed the table from.
Active − Used to describe the window or button that is being used or is selected.
Only one window or one button can be active at a time. When a window is
active, the color of the title bar changes to assist you in determining which
window is active. When a button is active, the name changes color.
Application Area − One of the main functional areas of the program in which a
user selects to work, e.g. General Ledger, Inventory, etc.
Application Window − The window in the program on which the rest of the
work in the program is based. In Navision, it is the empty area where all
windows are opened, and where the program, company and database names
appear, as well as the menu bar and Toolbar.
Arrow Keys − A group of keys on the keyboard used to move up, down, to the
right and to the left; these keys can be used instead of the mouse to move through
the program.
AssistButton − One of four buttons that are accessed using the F6 function key;
Drill-down, Look Up, Options and Ellipsis.
Backup − A file you create which contains a copy of your data.
Batch job − A routine that processes selected entries according to general or
specific guidelines. Examples include Close Income Statement.
BLOB − An acronym for Binary Large Object, used to store bitmaps such as a
logo.
Boolean − A data type that is used to indicate one of two values: TRUE or
FALSE; a typical use may be in a Check Box field.
Browse − Move within a window or from window to window on the screen, one
way to browse would be to use the recorder buttons.
Button − Buttons are found in almost all of the windows and dialog boxes in the
program. They may be Ordinary buttons such as OK, Yes and No. They may be
Function buttons which initiate a function, batch job or report. In addition, there
are Menu buttons which have a downward-pointing triangle on them and they are
found on the majority of windows. When clicked, they display a menu from
which you can, for example, select a function, open a different window or open a
submenu.
Card Windows − A data view which shows information about one customer,
vendor, item, etc. Card Windows generally have a series of tabs at the top.
Check Boxes − Boolean fields that are used to indicate a function is turned on
when checked and not turned on if left blank.
Clear − To clear something means to delete it; it may be used for a field or a
complete line.
Close − Used to exit a window or the program; accessed by pressing ESC,
clicking FILE→CLOSE or by clicking the X button in the upper right hand corner of
a window.
C/OCX − An interface used to expand the C/Side development environment.
This may include OLE or OCX controls.
C/ODBC − A tool used to export accounting information from into other
programs that then are used to perform graphical analysis and word processing
functions; Open Database Connectivity.
Codeunit − A function that performs a process, such as posting or creating
orders. One of seven Object types in Navision.
Command Button − Buttons which initiate a function, batch job or report.
C/SIDE − The Navision development environment.
Database − Where all the information in is stored; it includes customizations for
your company.
Dataport − A method of importing or exporting information in and/or out of
Navision. One of seven Object types in Navision.
Debugger − A tool used to diagnose where an error message or error is occurring
in Navision. Accessed under TOOLS→DEBUGGER.
Designer − The interface used to modify or design additional forms, reports,
tables, dataports, XMLports, codeunits, and menusuites for Navision. You must
purchase special permissions to be able to use designer.
Dialog Box − Windows that display to obtain more information on an action that
you want to start.
Dimension − Data that you can add to an entry so that Navision can group
entries with similar characteristics and easily retrieve these groups for analysis
purposes.
Documents − A report that prints one transaction at a time. Documents are
normally sent outside your company to Vendors, Customers or Tax Reporting
Authorities.
Drill Down − One of four types of AssistButtons. The downward arrow indicates
the value in the field is calculated from another table; clicking on the arrow
allows you to view that table.
C/FRONT: This is an application programming interface that allows you to develop applications in other programming languages to access a Microsoft NAV database, either the C/SIDE Database Server or the Microsoft SQL Server.
The primary component of C/FRONT is a library of callable C functions, which provide access to every aspect of data storage and maintenance. This allows creation of custom components written in C, C++, VB, Delphi, and the Visual Studio.NET languages as well as other languages that support compatible calling conventions. C/FRONT is only tested by Microsoft for use with code built using either the Watcom C or Microsoft C++ compilers. C/AL triggers cannot be invoked via C/FRONT code.
C/FRONT comes as a set of files to be installed guided by the instructions given in the C/FRONT manual.
C/SIDE: Client/Server Integrated Development Environment is the development tool specified for using C/AL. It includes the language editor, compiler, debugger, reports and form generators and code management tools.
Almost all the C/AL development is done within C/SIDE without the use of external tools. For most application development, NAV is entirely self sufficient except for those services provided by the Windows operating systems. It is possible, though generally not recommended, to write code using a text editor and then import it into C/SIDE.
C/AL: Client/Application Language is the programming language meant for customization of NAV. It was built by the NAV development team using C++, though we never see any C++ code directly in the NAV product.
C/AL is the tool used to define the processes by which data is manipulated, to define the business rules that will control the various applications, and to control the flow of all the logical processing sequences. C/AL is also used to manipulate objects, to control the execution flow of objects, to create new functions complementing the functions that are built in, and to manipulate data in many different ways.
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