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Introduction

Thoroughbred Dictionary-IV is an application development environment that contains a set of integrated tools designed to remove much of the burden from programming. Thoroughbred Script-IV is a high-level programming language included in the Dictionary-IV product set.

Operating System Support: UNIX, Linux, and Windows
For specific information, please contact your Thoroughbred Sales Representative.

Overview of Thoroughbred Script-IV

Section titled “Overview of Thoroughbred Script-IV”

Script-IV is a fourth-generation programming language that provides a set of structured commands. The language was designed to be concise but comprehensive. Because the commands are based on English language constructs, most software developers find them easy to learn and easy to remember.

The language enables developers to write task-oriented code. A script tells the system what to do but it does not necessarily specify how to do it. Script-IV determines how to manage most of the details.

For example, suppose that you want to write a script that will close all open purchase orders with a balance of less than 500 dollars. The following Script-IV code fragment accomplishes that task:

PRINT SCREEN POCHECKS
CHANGE PODATA USING
   KEY RANGE FROM FIRST TO LAST
   SELECT WHEN STATUS = "OPEN" AND
      PURCHASE-AMOUNT <500
   PROCESSING IS CLOSE-PORDERS

The sample code above uses system resources defined in Dictionary-IV. Script-IV can access the Dictionary-IV database and system dictionary, which contain the following system resources:

Format
defines the format of a logical group of data or the physical record layout of a data file.
View
defines a way of specifying and displaying multiple data records.
Help
defines context-sensitive, on-line help for menus, data entry, and messages.
Screen
defines a screen that is displayed on the terminal. The sample code fragment above uses the POCHECKS screen.
Link
specifies a sort, text, or data file and links it to a format, screen, or view. The sample code fragment above uses the PODATA link.
Menu
provides a list of items to select.
Messages
contain common messages that can be used by scripts.

These resources enable developers to write terse code and enable Script-IV to manage the implicit details, such as how information will be displayed. Because Script-IV was designed as a flexible language, developers can override Dictionary-IV defaults and specify explicit sets of instructions. For more information on the resources listed above see to the Dictionary-IV Developer Guide.

Script-IV works in concert with other Dictionary-IV components. Developers can use Source-IV to write, compile, and edit scripts. A script can execute reports created under Report-IV and execute queries created under Query-IV.

Script-IV was designed to provide alternatives to third-generation programming techniques, but it also provides an interface to the Thoroughbred Basic third generation language. Developers can migrate existing Thoroughbred Basic applications to Script-IV or use scripts to integrate existing Thoroughbred Basic programs with Script-IV.

Script-IV was designed to help developers create, maintain, and enhance applications:

  • Script-IV enables developers to produce readable, self-documenting code.
  • Script-IV is dictionary-driven. Resources can be defined once in a common dictionary and shared among applications. If a developer needs to change a resource definition, the change applies to every script that uses the definition.
  • Script-IV supports a multiple spoken-language interface.
  • Script-IV can be run with Thoroughbred VIP and Gateway for Windows for display and full use under the Microsoft Windows graphical user interface.

For More Information

Section titled “For More Information”
  • about creating applications please refer to the Thoroughbred Dictionary-IV Developer Guide.
  • about software conventions and databases, refer to the Dictionary-IV User Guide.
  • about using a Dictionary-IV product please refer to the individual product reference manual. The Query-IV, Report-IV, Script-IV, and Source-IV Reference Manuals are available from Thoroughbred Software.
  • about Thoroughbred Basic please refer to the Thoroughbred Basic Reference Manual.
  • about Thoroughbred Basic Utilities please refer to the Thoroughbred Basic Utilities Manual.

From the Script-IV Developer Guide, version 8.9.1. Open this page in the PDF