Development system with methods for maintaining data integrity of information stored as a data record in a database with a copy of the information displayed on a screen device

In a computer system, a method for automatic location of information stored in a database table having at least first, second, and third table fields, said information being stored in said database table as a plurality of database records, the method comprising:

• indexing said database table by a composite key comprising key values derived from values stored by said first table field and said second table field of said plurality of table fields;
• displaying on a screen display a database form having first, second, and third form fields, said first, second, and third form field displaying respective values from said first, second, and third table fields for a first database record;
• changing the value of said second form field to a new value;
• in response to said modifying step, locating a second database record storing a value at its second table field which matches said new value;
• and
• upon locating said second database record, displaying at said first and third form fields, respective values from said first and third table fields for said second database record.

A data processing system with autolocate capability, the system comprising:

• a computer having a processor and a memory;
• storage means for storing a database table and a database form, said database table comprising a plurality of database records having a plurality of table fields, said database table having an index comprising key values derived from at least some of said table fields, said database form comprising a plurality of form fields, each form field corresponding to a particular one of said table fields;
• display means for displaying at said form fields values from said table fields of a particular database record of said database table;
• edit means for changing the displayed value of one of the form fields to a new value;
• search means, responsive to said edit means, for automatically locating a different database record of said database table, said different database record having a corresponding table field whose value matches said new value;
• and
• refresh means, responsive to said search means, for changing values displayed by said form fields other than said form field whose value has changed to values of their corresponding table fields.