Current Element and Current List Position

How Data is Stored explained the principles of database structures and the concept of owners and members.

When you are working in any database, the application always considers you to be located at a specific element in that database, which is known as the Current Element (CE).

The Member List of any element comprises a list of pointers to those elements directly below it in the database hierarchy; that is, to those elements which it owns. These pointers have a definite order, identified by numbered positions in the list. In addition to being notionally at the CE, the application also considers you to be at a specific pointer, which is known as the Current List Position.

As you move about within a database, the current element and current list position are continuously updated so that the application always knows where you are. As soon as you access a new element, this becomes the CE.

To view the current element and its member list at any time, simply click the box next to the desired current element in the Model Explorer (refer to Navigate to a Given Element). The members of the current element will be shown.

Alternatively, give the commands: