Dexterity: A Comprehensive Overview of the Programming Language
Dexterity is a programming language that emerged in 1991, primarily designed and utilized by Great Plains Software and later acquired by Microsoft. Despite its specialized nature, it holds a unique place in the history of software development, particularly for enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications. Though not as widely known or used as other mainstream programming languages, Dexterity is a significant part of the legacy of Microsoft’s ERP solutions.
This article delves into the key aspects of Dexterity, its origins, features, applications, and its role in the development of enterprise software systems. Furthermore, the discussion touches on how this language influenced the field of ERP development, particularly within Microsoft Dynamics GP, a prominent ERP software solution.
Origins and History of Dexterity
Dexterity was created by Great Plains Software, a company that had been providing accounting and business management solutions since 1981. The company developed Dexterity as a proprietary language for its flagship product, Dynamics, which was later renamed to Microsoft Dynamics GP after Microsoft acquired Great Plains Software in 2001. The core purpose of Dexterity was to provide a robust and efficient tool for creating customizations and enhancements to the Microsoft Dynamics GP software suite.
The decision to create a custom programming language came from a need to address the limitations of existing programming languages in the context of ERP systems. At the time, traditional programming languages like C and COBOL were inadequate for the rapidly evolving business needs of enterprise resource planning systems. Dexterity was designed to be a high-level, object-oriented language that could facilitate the creation of sophisticated business logic while maintaining high performance and ease of use.
While its origins lie in business and accounting software, Dexterity has since been associated with a wide range of applications beyond its initial scope. Although it is not open-source and has not seen widespread adoption outside of the Microsoft Dynamics GP ecosystem, Dexterity remains a vital part of many businesses’ ERP systems today.
Key Features and Capabilities
Dexterity was built to cater to specific needs within the ERP environment, which meant that its features were tailored to improve the functionality and user experience of business management software. Some of the key features that set Dexterity apart include:
1. Customization and Integration
One of the most notable features of Dexterity is its ability to integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Dynamics GP, allowing for deep customization. Developers can create custom modules, reports, and user interfaces that are fully integrated into the GP system, without disrupting the core functionality. This allows businesses to adapt the software to their specific needs, often in ways that would not be possible with off-the-shelf ERP solutions.
Dexterity’s integration capabilities extend to its ability to work with external databases and third-party applications. This makes it highly versatile for companies that require connectivity with other enterprise systems, such as CRM systems, databases, or other software applications critical to their operations.
2. Rich Set of Controls and Libraries
Dexterity includes a comprehensive set of pre-built controls and libraries that can be used for creating forms, reports, and user interfaces. These controls, which include grids, buttons, and menus, are designed to be easily incorporated into the customizations developers create. By utilizing these tools, developers can enhance the user experience and ensure that customizations are both functional and intuitive.
3. Event-Driven Programming Model
Like many modern programming languages, Dexterity uses an event-driven programming model. This means that developers write code that responds to specific events or user actions. For example, when a user clicks a button, a pre-defined script or function will execute in response. This model is particularly effective in business applications, where user interaction is frequent and often requires immediate processing of data.
4. Error Handling and Debugging Tools
One of the challenges of working with complex ERP systems is managing errors and debugging code, especially in an environment where many processes run simultaneously. Dexterity provides built-in tools to help developers catch errors early and debug their code more effectively. This is a crucial feature, as ERP systems often handle critical business operations, and ensuring reliability is paramount.
5. Support for Multiple Platforms
Initially, Dexterity was designed for use with Microsoft Dynamics GP, but over time it has been updated to support multiple platforms, including integration with cloud services and other Microsoft-based technologies. This makes Dexterity a flexible option for companies that are looking to migrate or expand their ERP systems into the cloud or hybrid environments.
The Role of Dexterity in Microsoft Dynamics GP
The most significant application of Dexterity has been within Microsoft Dynamics GP, where it continues to play a central role in the development and customization of the software. As the ERP market expanded and Microsoft acquired Great Plains Software, Dexterity became an integral part of Microsoft Dynamics GP, which serves thousands of businesses around the world.
Microsoft Dynamics GP is designed to handle a wide range of business functions, including financial management, supply chain operations, manufacturing, and human resources. Dexterity’s flexibility allows businesses to tailor the software to their unique needs, whether by creating custom reports, workflows, or user interfaces. Additionally, the language supports both front-end and back-end development, allowing for holistic customization of the system.
Over time, the language’s role within the Dynamics GP ecosystem has evolved. While it is still used extensively for customizations, many businesses now rely on other technologies for integrating with modern cloud-based applications or newer Microsoft platforms like Azure. However, Dexterity’s continued use in legacy systems underscores its long-term importance in ERP development.
Legacy and Current Usage
While Dexterity has never reached the level of adoption seen by languages like Java or Python, it remains a vital tool within the specific context of Microsoft Dynamics GP. Its role in customizing and extending ERP systems makes it invaluable for businesses that rely on Dynamics GP for their day-to-day operations.
However, with the increasing move towards cloud-based solutions and the rise of more modern development tools, Dexterity’s future remains uncertain. Despite this, many companies continue to rely on Dexterity for maintaining and extending their existing ERP systems. As a result, there is still a demand for developers with expertise in the language, particularly within industries that have long-standing investments in Microsoft Dynamics GP.
Conclusion
Dexterity, created by Great Plains Software in 1991 and later absorbed into Microsoft’s Dynamics ecosystem, serves as a specialized programming language that enables deep customization and integration of ERP systems. While it may not be a widely known language outside the realm of Microsoft Dynamics GP, its role in shaping the ERP landscape has been significant. By offering unique features like seamless integration, error handling tools, and an event-driven programming model, Dexterity has empowered businesses to tailor their enterprise resource planning systems to better suit their needs.
Today, as businesses continue to evolve in their technology needs, Dexterity remains a critical component for organizations maintaining legacy ERP systems. Its future may be uncertain as cloud technologies continue to take precedence, but its impact on the enterprise software development landscape will undoubtedly be remembered. For those in the Microsoft Dynamics GP ecosystem, Dexterity continues to be a valuable tool, demonstrating the longevity and adaptability of specialized programming languages.