A dataset is a single, in-memory business object composed of ABL elements including temp-tables, data relationships, sources of data, and events.

A dataset often specifies the relationships between the component tables. In addition, it may be attached to data sources that can be used to populate the dataset with data. Changes to data in the dataset may then be stored back in the data sources. A dataset provides a mapping between a set of database tables or other data sources and their in-memory, possibly remote, representation.
Figure 1. ProDataSet

For more information, see ProDataSet goals and Architecture in Use ProDataSets