Abstract: A system for code generation and data access which overcomes many of the problems in conventional database and spreadsheet applications. A user is able to build up program steps, having available, as needed, information on the permissible operations, on the fields present in the data files in use, and on the actual contents of pertinent fields in the data files. When setting up a selection statement, for example, the user is able to view in real time a concordance of contents of a field; in the concordance display the actual contents are shown in sorted sequence and with duplicates suppressed. The display allows the user to generate code without any need for repeated referral to lists of fields. Duration from start to finish of generating workable code, including meaningful selection statements, is greatly improved.