Folder structures
The Act! application includes database and system folders that
are automatically created either during installation or when a database
is created. During installation, folders are created specifically for
third-party developers to store add-on solutions or custom controls. All
add-on solutions should be stored in the Plugins folder and custom controls
should be stored in the Tools folder.
The Root folder, which stores all folders, can
be moved or deleted by a user assigned a role
that allows them to perform database maintenance. The specific folder
where each file type is placed is not user modifiable. From the SDK,
you can add or delete files directly to the folders by specifying where
you want to place files or by using a call that places files in the default
folders. You can use SDK calls to display the data store path so that
you can quickly find folders and files. There are also SDK methods to
build the shared supplemental file system if it is missing, or to verify
that the shared supplemental file system exists and is accessible by the
current user.
The following describes the various folders
that contain database and supplemental files. (The files contained
in the folders can either be shared or personal. See Supplemental
files for more information.)
Folders created during installation
Plugins
The Plugins folder is used to store third-party add-on solutions. The
default file path is C:\Program Files\ACT\ACT for Windows\Plugins.
Print Templates
The Print Templates folder contains default templates for printing address
books and calendars.
Tools
The Tools folder is used to store custom controls created by third-party
developers. The default path is C:\Program
Files\ACT\ACT for Widows\Tools.
Email
(personal and shared)
The Email folder contains email messages that are not associated with
contact records.
Netlinks
The Netlinks folder contains the default set of Internet links used
in Act!.
Spell
(personal)
The Spell folder contains spelling checker dictionaries.
Backup
The Backup folder contains backup copies of your databases.
Databases
The Databases folder contains the Act! database file (.ADF), the Act!
log file (.ALF) which is the internal transaction log for the Act! data,
and the indicator, or "pointer" to the database file (.PAD).
The .ADF and .ALF must always exist, and must exist in the same folder
to comprise the SQL Server database.
Another file type that is associated with the .adf is the remote database
file (.RDF) This file is automatically created when a remote database
is created for synchronization. The file itself is not a database, but
contains the .adf file which is transported to a remote user. Think of
the .rdf as a .zip file that must be unpacked and restored to a remote
user's computer to use and synchronize Act! data.
Documents
(shared)
The Documents folder contains files such as letters, fax cover pages,
and memos created in the word-processing application.
Layouts
(personal and shared)
The Layouts folder contains the default and alternate layouts, which
define how information is displayed.
Queries
The Queries folder contains queries you create and save for later use.
Reports
(personal and shared)
The Reports folder contains templates for creating reports and for creating
and printing labels and envelopes. Act! provides label and envelope templates
for use within a variety of U.S. and international locations.
Templates
(personal and shared)
The Templates folder contains the Act! word processor and Microsoft
Word templates for documents, including letters, memos, fax cover pages,
and forms.
Folders created when a database is created
Attachments
(personal)
The Attachments folder contains files, such as letters created in a
word-processing application, that are attached to contacts records.
Backup
The Backup folder contains backup copies of your databases.
Documents
The Documents folder contains files such as
letters, fax cover pages, and memos created in the word-processing application.
Layouts
The Layouts folder contains layouts associated with the database.
Queries
The Queries folder contains queries you create and save for later use.
Reports
The Reports folder contains reports associated with the database.
Templates
The Templates folder contains templates for creating reports and for
creating and printing labels and envelopes. Act! provides label and envelope
templates for use within a variety of U.S. and international locations.