The Tools menu lets you access a tool from another tool. For example, you can access the Data Dictionary from the Procedure Editor. Access to other tools, however, is allowed only in a forward direction. For example, you cannot return to the Procedure Editor from the Data Dictionary without closing the Dictionary. Table 1 lists the menu options that are available when you choose the Tools menu option.

Choose this option to access the Procedure Editor. The Procedure Editor lets you create, edit, compile, and run ABL procedures. See Chapter 2, “Procedure Editor Tasks” for a complete description of the tasks you can perform with the Procedure Editor.

Choose this option to access the Data Dictionary, which lets you create and modify database schema information including table, field, sequence, indexes, and trigger definitions. You also can generate schema reports. See OpenEdge Development: Basic Database Tools for a complete description of the tasks you can perform with the Data Dictionary.

Choose this option to temporarily leave the Procedure Editor so you can run operating system commands from your operating system prompt. When you leave the shell, you automatically return to the Procedure Editor.

Choose this option to access the Application Compiler. The Application Compiler lets you compile a group of source procedures (.p files). See Chapter 5, “Application Compiler” for a complete description of the Application Compiler.