Really BASIC module and data table info

[mcichelli]

Is there any documentation available that explains how modules are organized? Which PHP file do I examine to see what's going on with the Accounts Edit function, for example?

Where are the custom field definitions held? This is my most urgent request at the moment,

I've very recently downloaded and installed V 4.2.0 for Windows from the SugarCRM website.

[Proware]

I too would like some basic table info.

I am writing an import routine and ould like a simple explaination. For example, importing contacts - which tables to update. Importing calls - which tables to update, which key fields are linked across the tables, which fields are mandatory? I dont want to see the Bad Data error ever again!

I think I have worked some of this out but each time I get to a new kind of import, I have to satart again,

[mcichelli]

Here I am replying to my own post. But, I have learned a lot over the past few months, and in case anyone else is still where I was when I first posted this:

Using phpMyAdmin, I can see and/or print out the structure of any of the tables. I can also browse through the current contents of any of the tables - using SQL commands to search for particular records.

I spent some time just browsing through the structure of each table. Much of the organization becomes clear when you do this. For example, the table accounts_cstm contains the data for the custom fields you have designed - one record in accounts_cstm for each record in accounts. There is also a contacts_cstm. Those are the only "modules" for which I have, as yet, defined custom fields.

Then, there is a table called calls_contacts which contains pairs of call_id's and contact_id's, etc.

The phpMyAdmin structure listings also include a description of the indices in use for each table.

I am also using an editor called PHP Designer 2007 - Professional (available for $69 from http://www.mpsoftware.dk/ Actually, I just visited the website and they are running a sale - $49 right now. With this editor I can edit any of the php and html files (among others). I also can search for strings across any group of the files - this has been very useful in finding out where a particular variable is defined and/or used.

I am still trying to figure out how the whole system "works" - but I'm getting good at pattern recognition and seeing where I might have to tweak something. Since I installed 4.5.0, there are fewer things I need to tweak outside of the Studio.

Some installer/developer organized documentation would be nice - but that requires someone to volunteer to write it. So, in the meantime, we all just share our bits of knowledge.