Every database has one system domain, indicated by a domain type of SYSTEM. The initial system domain—named QAD—is created when the database is created. The name is recorded in the System Maintain function, described in QAD System Administration User Guide. If you want to use a different domain as the system domain, you must identify it in System Maintain. This automatically changes the type for the new domain to SYSTEM and clears the type of the previous system domain.

You cannot change the type for the system domain in Domain Modify. That function lets you change the domain name and short name—but not the domain code.

The system domain includes default data that is required to begin implementation, such as control program settings and generalized codes. These tables are listed in Tables Copied for New Domain.

The system domain is a template for new domains. When you create a new domain associated with the current database, default data is copied from the system domain. Since the system domain is a template, you may want to add data to it or tailor defaults before creating new domains based on it.

In a new database, the system domain is created as unconfirmed, so you can modify data, such as the base currency or shared sets.

Typically, the system domain is not used for maintaining active transactions. You can prevent users from updating it by setting Active to No in Domain Modify and by restricting access to it in User Domain/Entity Access. You must set Active to No if you do not have the Shared Services Domain module, which supports multiple active domains in a database.