Navigation

The York System can be navigated in a number of ways. The switchboard provides access to recording, viewing, customisation and report generation, and is automatically launched when the application is opened.

The switchboard can also be accessed at any time during a session, by clicking on the custom-built toolbar at the top or left side of the screen. This is illustrated below:

This toolbar also provides quick access to the customise form, the recording form, the reports form, and the viewing form.

Note: It is recommended that the user doesn't have both the recording and the viewing forms open at the same time. Also, if the customise form is used during a recording session, certain forms may have to be closed and re-opened to apply any changes to the system.

Users are also welcome to navigate the database in the traditional way, particularly if they wish to create their own queries and reports. The normal database window is accessed by using the File menu, and selecting the name of the database from the list of recently used files. In the example on the left, the name of the database that is currently open is "28June"; selecting it from the File menu displays the window that is illustrated below:

Any users who are familiar with Access or similar database applications will then be able to access lists of all tables, queries, and forms.

Structure

Tables
There are a variety of table types in the database. Those beginning and ending with an asterisk are used to record primary information (i.e. *MainRecordingTable*, *Butchery*, etc.). Any tables beginning with an 'L' are lookup tables, including LElement, LSpecies, etc. Finally tables beginning with an 'M' are used to record measurements, such as MAstragalus, MFish, etc.

Queries
The few queries that are present are used to create various forms, and on their own are of little value to the user.

Forms
Many forms and sub-forms are present in the application. Approximately half of these are diagnostic zone forms, and start with the letter 'Z'. Forms beginning with 'C-', 'P-' or 'S-' display buttons to record tooth wear stages. Several other forms are used to record or view records in the database.