Database Block Definition tab

In this tab, you specify the logical information that is necessary to generate the Block in a source language, the Data Description Language (DDL).

External name
This name is required upon generation.

It will be used to produce a .dll file (for a relational Block) or a .txt file (for the other Blocks) in the COBOL project and file that are indicated in the COBOL target.

Block type
Select the Block type.

For hierarchical or network databases, entering the definitive Block type is not required upon creation. Selecting a network or hierarchical structure is enough at this point. You must select a specific physical type when you generate the Data Description Language (DDL).

You can change the Block type only inside the same category (for example: the Hierarchical category).

Notes:

Some Block types are no longer supported.

The DP: DL/1 Physical DBD and DR: DL/1 Physical DBD values are similar. The only difference is that with DR: DL/1 Physical DBD, only the Data Elements that are referenced as access keys in the Segment description are generated in the FIELD statements.

Schema name
It is the physical name of the schema to which the Block is attached.

Enter this name on 8 characters maximum.

This name is only used for SE-type Blocks (group of Sets) and for CODASYL Blocks.

It is necessary at generation time if the Block is a subschema or a DMCL.

This field is not used if the Block is a schema.

Version number
Enter the version number of the database system:
  • 3000 for NONSTOP SQL version C30
  • 5000 for RDMS 1100 version 5RA4
  • 7000 for ORACLE V7
  • Blank for other systems, all versions.

COBOL target

By default, the generated COBOL files are stored with the design files in a root folder whose default name you can change. You can separate them from the design files or even change the generation project and folder.

In a Library, the default values of the COBOL project and of the COBOL folder are the values of the current project.

COBOL project
The files that are generated from this instance will be stored in the project displayed in this field.

The project of the corresponding design file is the default project. If it has been kept, Default is displayed between parentheses next to the project. However, if it has been explicitly changed in the instance, only the project is displayed here, without any other indication. If it has been explicitly changed in the generation Library, Inherited from Library is then displayed between parentheses next to the project. In the instance, you can overwrite the value that is inherited from the Library.

You can select a new project in the drop-down list.

If you change the project, the COBOL folder is automatically set to the default value (rpp). The new project will be taken into account upon the next generation.

COBOL folder
The files that are generated from this instance will be stored in the folder displayed here, inside the project displayed in the previous field.

The folder of the corresponding design file is the default folder. If it has been kept, Default is displayed between parentheses next to the folder. However, if it has been explicitly changed in the instance, only the folder is displayed here, without any other indication. If it has been explicitly changed in the generation Library, Inherited from Library is then displayed between parentheses next to the folder. In the instance, you can overwrite the value indicated in the Library.

If the default folder has been kept, you can specify a root path for the generated files in the Properties wizard (accessed by clicking the Change project properties button). This path will be automatically inserted in this field, at the beginning of the folder.

You can select a new folder in the drop-down list. Creating a folder is impossible at this stage. Folders must have already been created in the project, for example from the Resource perspective.

If you change the folder, it will be taken into account upon the next generation.

Change project properties
This button opens the Properties wizard, where you can complete the following actions:
  • Change the default folder. This folder contains the design files and is the default target of the generated and metadata files.
  • Indicate a root path for the generated files, if the default generation folder has been kept.
  • Indicate a root path for the metadata files, which are stored by default in the same folder as the other generated files.
Note: A detailed help is available from the Properties wizard of the project.
Generation option
This field is available for relational Blocks only. The following options can be selected:
  • C1: Generation of the DDL in creation mode (CREATE DATABASE and CREATE all the objects of the Block).
  • C2: Generation of the DDL according to the value selected in the Generation transaction type field of the -DR Lines tab.
  • C3: Generation of the LABEL command for DB2 Blocks only.
  • C4: Generation of the COMMENT command for DB2 Blocks only.

    The date, time, and session number will be displayed on the first line of the generated program.

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