As a QA Build developer, you create a program by selecting options and answering the series of questions posed by the QA Build setup program. Once you have set up the program, you compile it using the program compilation utility. The program compilation utility checks the syntax of your program, and warns you of any errors that affect the program. It also checks the tables and fields specified in your program against the database tables and fields, to make sure they match.
The compiled program is interpreted at runtime by the PROGRUN utility. All the validation checks included in your database are carried out as well as those you have specified in your program. QA Build automatically handles the majority of error conditions that arise. If an error does occur, such as two users attempting to update the database at the same time, DP4 will display an error message.
QA Build programs are stored in tables as a part of your database. They are not accessed directly since they are stored in the hidden part of the database known as the base dictionary. Since they are stored with the database, they are easy to distribute, and can be ported across the supported operating systems with no need for re-compilation.