Defining description lines in a Database Block

The tab dedicated to the description lines is specific to the type of Database Block that is defined in the Database Block editor. The -DH Lines tab is specific to the hierarchical Database Blocks. The -DR Lines tab is specific to the relational Database Blocks. The -DC Lines tab is specific to the CODASYL, DMSII and TANDEM Database Blocks.

About this task

What are the description lines used for? The procedure to create description lines is the same for all Database Block types. In the tab dedicated to the description lines of a Block, you can specify the description lines of the current Block in a tree structure list. You can also delete some of them or reorganize them in the list. The other part of the window displays a definition section that opens when you select a description line in the list. In this section, you can give further information about the selected description line. Moreover, you can access -GG Lines wizard by clicking the -G Lines button and specify generation elements associated with the selected description line.

Procedure

  1. To create a -DC line, click the Add -dc line button or select this action in the contextual menu. As a result, a default A: area, line is created in the list. You can change the line type in the -DC line definition section displayed in the second part of the tab. Click the -G Lines button to create -GG lines associated with the -DC line by using templates.
  2. To create a -DH line, click the Add -dh line button. As a result, a default -dh line is created in the list. It is then possible to complete the new line directly in the table or in the -DH line definition section. You can create generation elements for the -DH line by clicking the -G Lines button.
  3. In the -DR Lines tab, you can create -DR lines that display the objects type, external names, the referenced table (for J type lines only), the code of the Segments that represent them, and K-type lines that represent the key type supported by the Segment and the generation code.
    1. To create a -DR line, click the Add -dr line button. A default P: table space line is created. You can change the type of SQL record in the -DR line definition section displayed in the second part of the tab. You can then add -GG lines to modify the -DR description line.
    2. The -G Lines button can be used to access a table of -GG Lines with templates that help you specify generation elements for the selected -DR line.
    3. You can create -K lines (K for keys) under a line that describes an SQL record and whose type is index, alter table or primary key. To do so, click the description line under which the -K line is to be created, then click the Add -dr—k line button. As a result, a default Unknown: (no order) line is created in the list. In the -K line definition section, you can specify the composition of the Segment that represents the SQL record. The Data Element and order type you have selected for the key are then displayed in the list to identify the description line.
    Notes:
    • The possible actions with the buttons are also available in the contextual menu of the list.
    • The new created lines can be completed in the Definition section of the line or directly in the table.

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