[DUG] Runtime user defined fields

[Steve Peacocke]

Hi Todd,

No, I expect that a suitably trained admin person will be able to periodically go in and add or otherwise change fields whenever the need arises without having to ask for the application to be programmatically changed to meet their particular need.

For example, a CRM system would at times need Administrator users to add a field to track, for example, "Sales Region", or "Xmas Card".

Steve 

On 6/03/2013, at 11:47 AM, Todd Martin <todd.martin.nz at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Steve
> 
> When you say you want the user to be able to add fields, is this intended to be a one-off exercise to customise the database. ie. when the application is first installed? 
> 
> Todd.
>> Hi everyone,
>> 
>> I've been away from programming for a while so please excuse the
>> seemingly simple question.
>> 
>> I'm designing a user interface for a new application and wondered if
>> there was a generally accepted way that this "should" be done.
>> 
>> The application will allow end users to edit their forms allowing them
>> to add, move, and remove fields at runtime. I'm using MySQL but I was
>> wondering if there was an accepted way of adding and changing fields
>> to a database.
>> 
>> I know I can use SQL for this but I also don't want to make every
>> application unable to be managed or upgraded. Perhaps I can ensure
>> that the 3-4 permanent fields are never able to be altered (ID, Name,
>> etc) but allow the user (through a suitable user-friendly interface)
>> to go crazy adding such fields as My_favourite_colour, Rating,
>> Priority, Notes, etc. etc.
>> 
>> I'm able to give a suitable user-friendly interface to allow them to
>> physically alter the Delphi form at runtime, but wondered about the
>> "most appropriate way" to modify the fields to the database.
>> 
>> 1. I could simply add fields using SQL's ALTER TABLE
>> 2. I could add another table with fields such as TableName, FieldName,
>> Type, etc.. and add to that
>> 3. Some other spiffy way that you people will suggest that I haven't
>> even thought of yet.
>> 
>> Any suggestions?
>> 
>> 
>> Steve Peacocke
>> +64 220 612-611
>> http://www.nzorient.co.nz
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> 
> 
> -- 
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