This tab corresponds to the Data Element Description.
It is used to assign explanatory text to the Data Element, and values or ranges of possible values with their meaning.
It is also used to complement the description. It provides specific information that will be used where the Data Element is required (screen labels and format, relational database name for example).
Each value or range of values is entered as a code and a label; this label is to be used in user documentation. The values or ranges can be used in the Data Element validation process in batch and online programs.
When a Data Element is used in a Screen, a short label, a column label, a sample value, and possibly a conversational format can be defined,
Delimiters of Data Element labels can be parameterized. The delimiter default value can then be overridden if it is used in the label. A delimiter is required for the column label but is optional for the short label.
In online programs, the format that is used for unprotected (variable) Data Elements is automatically calculated as an expanded version of the internal format. For protected fields, the output format is used. However, you can override these formats by specifying a conversational format.For dates, the symbolic date formats can be used.
The values of the operation and action codes, and the corresponding internal values, can be indicated here.
Moreover, if this line is not correct, this column also displays an error or warning symbol, depending on the severity of the error. A hover help indicates the source of the error.
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
No value | Value or description line. Enter a descriptive text for the Data Element. This text includes all the possible values with their meanings. |
D | Data Element default value. One of the values can be referenced as the default value. When the value D is entered on the Segment -CE Lines tab, this value is assigned as the initial value. |
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
P | Data Element presentation value. The sample value is entered in the Description field. This value is used when simulating a Screen for information purposes. |
L | Data Element short label. This label is entered in the Description field. Maximum length:
18 characters.
Note: This length can be shortened by explicitly entering
a delimiter (see description of the Allowed values field).
The default delimiter is /.
|
C | Column label. The column label is defined
on a single line but can use up to three lines. A delimiter in the
column label indicates a line skip. The column label length is that
of its longest line. The maximum length is 18 characters, including
delimiters. A column label must be delimited by at least one delimiter
(default = /).
Note: To change the default delimiter,
enter its value in the Allowed values field
(see the description of this field).
|
F | Conversational format. For Data Elements used in input and output in online programs. If no conversational format is defined, the extended internal format or the output format is recognized, depending on the nature of the Data Element in the Screen. For Date Data Elements, enter the one-character symbolic value that represents the format, in the Allowed values field. For other Data Elements, enter the output format in the Description field. For numeric Data Elements, a BLANK WHEN ZERO clause can be obtained by entering Z after the format entered in the Description field (example: 9(4) Z). |
O | Declaration of the operation code values. Note: See
also the More field (Skip or Action
code). For more information, see the OnLine Systems
Development manual and the Pacbench C/S: Business Logic
and TUI clients manual (chapter about the TUI client), available
from the VisualAge Pacbase documentation at:
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=37&uid=swg27005477 |
I | Declaration of the action code values. Note: See
also the More field (Skip or Action
code). For more information, see the OnLine Systems
Development manual and the Pacbench C/S: Business Logic
and TUI clients manual (chapter about the TUI client), available
from the VisualAge Pacbase documentation at:
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=37&uid=swg27005477 |
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
R | This value generates the relational name of
the Data Element, on 18 characters. This name is entered in the Description field. The
relational name of a parent Data Element is not carried forward to
the child Data Element.
Note: With TURBOIMAGE, this field generates
an item name different from the Data Element code. In this case only
the first 16 characters are recognized.
|
E | With this value, you can enter a nonstandard
date format in the Description field. The format indicated on the Data Element Definition tab must be X(n). n must be smaller than 28 (or 15 for an ORACLE database) for the automatic management of dates in the OnLine Systems Development function or the Pacbench C/S function. This format is taken into account:
Only the elements of the format are controlled. The way you put them together is not controlled. For example, MD is rejected but MMMMMM and YY-DD/MM is accepted). |
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
S | The COBOL data names of the associated PacReverse Data Elements are generated in the Description field. |
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
A | For Copybooks, when a variant Data Element is used as an alias-type Data Element, the Description field contains the Segment code of the Segment in which the parent Data Element is called. |
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
A | For a Data Element used in an ADABAS database. You can enter the values for the generation of the format buffer. |
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
T | Values of the TURBOIMAGE class list. |
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
No value or 1 | New line |
2 | 1 blank line + 1 new line |
3 to 9 | 2 - 8 blank lines + 1 new line |
* | Only in user manuals: page skip |
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
+ | This value indicates a continuation of a value range if it cannot fit on a single line |
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
C | Creation |
M | Modification |
D | Deletion |
X | Mod-4 (implicit update). |
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
A | Display |
M | Update |
S | Next screen |
E | End of session |
P | Same page |
O | Call of another screen |
These values undergo automatic validation if they are entered as either numeric or alphanumeric literals (quotation marks for the latter),
(E Z): from E inclusive to Z inclusive,
)0 100(: from 0 exclusive to 100 exclusive.
If the description of a value calls for several lines, the value must be entered on the first line.
The values that are assigned to a parent Data Element are automatically assigned to each of its child Data Elements.
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
*9 | Numeric Data Element. It generates a COBOL NOT NUMERIC control. |
*B | Numeric Data Element: Leading blanks are replaced with zeros. |
*Z | Numeric Data Element: All blanks are replaced with zeros. |
*A | Alphabetic Data Element: controls that all characters are alphabetic. |
*L | Alphabetic Data Element: controls that all characters are lowercase alphabetic. |
*U | Alphabetic Data Element: controls that all characters are uppercase alphabetic. |
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
I | Without century (picture x(6)): YYMMDD |
S | With century (picture x(8)): CCYYMMDD |
D | Without century (picture x(6)): MMDDYY or DDMMYY depending on the value that is entered in the Generated date format field on the Library Definition tab. |
C | With century (picture x(8)): MMDDCCYY or DDMMCCYY depending on the value that is entered in the Generated date format field on the Library Definition tab. |
G | With century (picture x(10)): CCYY-MM-DD in a Gregorian format. |
E | Without century (picture x(8)): MM/DD/YY or DD/MM/YY |
M | With century (picture x(10)): MM/DD/CCYY or DD/MM/CCYY |
T | Time |
TS | Timestamp |