• a new data file.
• a preset data file, provided with WINDEV, WEBDEV and WINDEV Mobile.
• a data file imported from an external database (also called "Third-party database").
• a data file imported from an earlier WINDEV version.
• an ISAM HFSQL data file imported via the Windows File Explorer.

• Select the data file in the data model editor.
• Select one of the following options from the popup menu:
  • "Data file description".
  • "Description of items".

Creating a new data file

1. On the "Analysis" tab, in the "Creation" group, click "New file". The data file creation wizard starts.
2. Select "Create a new data file description". Go to the next step.
3. Specify:
   • the logical file name. This name will be used to handle the data file.
   • the caption that briefly describes the file subject.
   • the representation of a record in the data file. This representation makes the questions asked when describing the links easier to understand. This option must be preceded by an indefinite article (A or AN).
   • whether the data file includes an "Automatic identifier" item. The value of this item is unique for each record and it is automatically calculated by the HFSQL engine.
     You can use:
     • an 8-byte ID. This type of identifier is mandatory for the replication of HFSQL servers.
     • a 4-byte ID.
     • an automatic UUID (128 bits). In this case, the identifier of each record corresponds to a 128-bit UUID (the UUID provides a unique non-sequential identifier).
     • an automatic UUID (256 bits). In this case, the identifier of each record corresponds to a 256-bit UUID (the UUID provides a unique non-sequential identifier).
4. In the next step, specify the type of database associated with the data file. Depending on the type selected, this data file will be handled by the HFSQL engine, an OLE DB driver or a Native Connector (SQL Server, Oracle, etc.).
   If you are using a database other than HFSQL Classic (Network or Single-user), the wizard asks for the database connection characteristics.
5. The new data file becomes the current data file. The description window of the data file items opens automatically. It allows you to describe the file items.

Importing a preset description of data file

1. On the "Analysis" tab, in the "Creation" group, click "New file". The data file creation wizard starts.
2. Select the option "Select a preset data file description".
3. Choose the preset data file(s) to create.
   
   The wizard also proposes associated data files that can be added as links.
4. For each data file, select the items to keep. These items can be modified later.
5. The preset data files are automatically inserted into the current analysis. The links between preset files are automatically established.

• Blue for the data files coming from a Native Connector.
• Orange for HFSQL Client/Server data files.
• Brown for HFSQL Classic data files.
• Green for ODBC data files.
• Gray for Hyper File 5.5 data files.

1. Open the file description:
   • Select the data file in the data model editor.
   • In the context menu, select "Data file description".
2. In the "Details" tab:
   • Enable the encryption option for the data file, indexes, memos. Several encryption modes are available.
     
     The "Automatic (RC5 16 rounds if password)" option is selected by default when a data file is created. This option is used to automatically encrypt the data file if a password is defined by HPass on the data file.
   • Enable the "Enable enhanced security " option.
     Remark: This option is selected by default when creating a data file. This option allows you to request the password at each automatic modification of the data file.
3. Generate the analysis: on the "Analysis" tab, in the "Analysis" group, expand "Generation" and select "Generation". For more details, see Generating an analysis.
4. Specify a password for the data file with HPass.
5. Encrypt the connection to the database in the connections described in the analysis, or programmatically with the Encryption property.