Release 10.1A: OpenEdge Deployment:
Startup Command and Parameter Reference

Dictionary Expressions (-dictexps)

Use Dictionary Expressions (-dictexps) to specify that Progress uses dictionary and help validation for all fields in all frames when you compile an application. Progress continues compiling even after it encounters a validation error.

Operating system and syntax	UNIX Windows	-dictexps
Use with	Maximum value	Minimum value	Single-user default	Multi-user default
Client Session	–	–	–	–

This parameter serves as a temporary step to close possible validation holes in existing applications. It has the effect of adding a USE-DICT-EXPS option to every frame in the application, including those that are not used for input. This parameter closes all possible validation holes, but it is highly inefficient.

You can override this functionality for a particular frame by using the NO-VALIDATE keyword for that frame. See the Frame Phrase reference entry in OpenEdge Development: Progress 4GL Reference for more details on the NO-VALIDATE option.

If you do not specify -dictexps, Progress uses dictionary and help validation for a field only if that field is used in an UPDATE, SET, PROMPT-FOR, or ENABLE statement. In addition, Progress does not use dictionary and help validation when compiling if you specify only the widget:SENSITIVE=YES construct to make a widget sensitive. Progress stops compiling when it encounters a validation error.