VistA System Components

A VistA system is made up of the following components:

• Code written in the M Language, implemented by GT.M or Cache.
• Information stored in a M Database.
• Information stored in a VA FileMan File.
• FileMan-level control instructions in Templates:
  • Input Templates for entering or editing data stored in VA FileMan Files.
  • Search Templates for condition based or criteria based search
  • Sort Templates for sorting and grouping fields when output of information
  • Print Templates for printing and presenting fields
  • Export Templates for exporting values of fields to other programming systems.
• Code running in the Host Operating System, such as Microsoft Windows or Linux.
  • example languages: Microsoft Windows Script Host scripts, bash shell scripts, tcsh shell scripts,
  • example uses:
    • programmer mode access scripts,
    • system boot scripts,
    • system shutdown scripts.
    • user logon scripting
    • administrative scripting
    • machine automation.
• Information stored in files in the filesystem of the Host Operating System.
  • simple ASCII text files
  • Comma Separated Values (CSV) files for import into Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, or Open Office applications.