How the database works

The entire dictionary is in an Access database and editing screens enable us to enter and edit headwords, multiple senses for each headword, and multiple examples for each sense. Cross-references to other headwords can be attached to any sense.

Each time a topic is saved, its corresponding HTML page is created. If I change the format for topic pages, all pages can be re-created. The sidebar and letter indexes are also created automatically. To create a continuous document, topic pages are written out in order, then read into Word XP, whence any number of other formats can be created: for example, Acrobat.

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John Burton
Editor