What Is a Program Code?

A program is a set of rules and instructions for implementing those rules among a group of files. A four- or five-character label (program code) identifies the program. A program code is unique in a product line and is attached to a system. Program codes for Lawson Software applications generally conform to the following conventions.

• Program codes for online programs include a two-character system code and a two-digit suffix. Lawson usually numbers the two-digit suffixes in the sequence in which the user accesses the programs. For example, the user must add a company before adding an employee to that company; therefore, the company online program (HR00) precedes the employee online program (HR11).

• Program codes for batch programs include a two-character system code and a three-digit suffix. The suffix indicates the function of the batch program and corresponds to the online program with a similar function, if one exists. For example, HR11 is the Employee Maintenance form, HR111 is the Employee Update batch update program, and HR211 is the Employee Listing batch report program.

• The program code of the main menu for a system contains the two-character system code and the suffix MN. For example, the main menu for the Human Resources system is HRMN.

Program codes use the following numbering scheme.

Range	Description
01-99	Online entry and inquiry programs and forms. Setup and maintenance programs have the lowest program numbers.
100-199	Batch update programs.
200-299	Batch report programs.
300-399	Special processing reports (for example, Year-End Closing).
400-899	Additional batch report programs and conversion routines.
900-999	Special load programs and database administration routines.