User classes let you take an object‑oriented approach to your data. Rather than writing table-oriented applications with database access specified in frame and procedure scripts, you can create objects that reflect your work environment.

For example, suppose that you have a database containing information about a library. There may be a table, Books, containing information about books in the library. You can easily crate a user class, books, with attributes that correspond to items in the Books table. The Class Editor lets you create attributes from a database table. After you create the class books, you can then define useful methods. For example, a books class might have the methods CheckOut and CheckIn.

When you create a frame, you can create fields that correspond to attributes of a user class by using the Insert Fields from User Class menu option.

To build meaningful objects representing your organization's data, you must understand basic concepts concerning classes and specific information about user classes. The following sections lay the groundwork for you to build object‑oriented applications.