Edit Data Security

Choose Security > Edit Data Security to define compile-time security for an application database. The Data Dictionary alphabetically lists the names of the tables defined for the working database. When you select a table, the Data Dictionary displays the current permissions lists for the table. the following figure shows the default permissions for the customer table.

Figure 1. Edit Data Security dialog box


The upper section of the Edit Data Security dialog box displays the six levels of security permissions for the table. By default, the Data Dictionary initializes all levels with an asterisk (*), which means that all users are allowed to modify table permissions. The lower section describes the fields for the permissions lists.

The six levels of security permissions for tables are:

  • Can-Read —Specifies the users who have permission to read a table. The default is an asterisk (all users).
  • Can-Write — Specifies the users who can write to a table or update records. The default is an asterisk (all users).
  • Can-Create — Specifies the users who can create new records. In order to create a new record, a user must have Can-Write privileges. The default is an asterisk (all users).
  • Can-Delete — Specifies the users who can delete records from a table. The default is an asterisk (all users).
  • Can-Dump — Specifies if you can dump database or table definitions and data with triggers disabled. The default is an asterisk (all users).
  • Can-Load — Specifies if you can load database or table definitions and data with triggers disabled. The default is an asterisk (all users).

The following table describes the values you use to define the permissions for a table.

Table 1. Access restrictions for tables
Expression Indicates
* All users are allowed access.
user Only this user has access.
!user, * All users have access except this user.
Note: Do not place the asterisk (*) before !user. If you do, all users are allowed access.
acct* User IDs that begin with acct have access.

The following table describes the options at the bottom of the Edit Data Security dialog box.

Table 2. Edit Data Security dialog box options
Option Action
NextField Displays the next field defined for the specified table
PrevField Displays the previous field defined for the specified table
ForwardTable Displays the permissions for the next table defined for the working database
BackwardTable Displays the permissions for the previous table defined for the working database
Modify Modifies the permissions for a table or field
SwitchTable Displays the list of tables again so you can select a new table
JumpField Displays a list of all the fields defined for the current table
CallAdmin Accesses the Security Administrators dialog box

For more information, see Security Administrators option.
UserEditor Accesses the Edit User List dialog box

For more information, see Edit User List option.
Report Generates a user report for the working database

For more information, see User Report option.
Exit Exits, saves changes, and returns to the Data Dictionary window

Once you designate security administrators, only they can use this option.