Groups module

Vitalware has always enabled users to assign a name to a group of records and subsequently retrieve that group. Users have also been able to add records to a group, allowing a complex set of records to be assembled over time. Information about a group is stored in the egroups table, but until Vitalware 2.0.03 this table was hidden from users and maintained via the Vitalware client: when a user adds to or saves a group, the egroups table is adjusted automatically.

The Groups module was added to Vitalware with version 2.0.03. Now, as well as using the Tools>Group set of menu commands to manage groups (accessible from most modules), users have the option with the Groups module to insert, update and delete groups using a familiar module interface. The Groups module also includes additional functionality: a dynamic Query group (using a TexQL statement) can be created and run in the Groups module; and Record Level Security permissions can be managed.

Three types of groups are supported:

  • Static - a list of record IRNs
  • Terms - a list of columns and associated query terms
  • Query - a TexQL statement

Group permissions use Record Level Security to determine which operations are available for which users. The creator of a group, or someone with permission to alter security settings, can assign other users the permission to manipulate the group. Available permissions are:

  • display - a user can retrieve the group
  • edit - a user can add or replace records in the group
  • delete - a user can delete the group

A Groups module record includes:

  • The name of the group
  • The type of the group (Static, Terms, Query)
  • The source module for records in the group
  • The group owner
  • The IRNs of records in a Static Group; the column name(s) and search terms for a Terms group; the TexQL statement in a Query group.
  • Record Level Security settings for the group

Tip: Details about working with groups can be found in Grouping records.

Note: As every institution is able to customise Vitalware to suit its requirements, there are many different versions of Vitalware. Even where institutions have the same modules, the tabs included in each instance of the module may be different; and even where institutions have tabs with the same name, the fields on those tabs may be different. For that reason this section only provides a general description of modules, tabs and fields.

Tab Description
Group

Used to manage a group and includes:

  • The name of the group
  • The type of the group (Static, Terms, Query)
  • The source module for records in the group
  • The group owner

Static / Terms / Query

The tab that displays is determined by which Type: (Group Type) is selected on the Group tab.

A Static Group will list the IRNs and count of records. The Summary Data for each record is displayed alongside the IRN:

A Terms group will list the column name(s) and search terms:

A Query group will list the TexQL statement:

Security

See Security tab for details.

Audit

See Audit tab for details.

Admin

See Admin tab for details.

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