Features common to all or most of the Optim™ components are discussed in this book. To carry out its functions, Optim relies upon user-defined objects that supplement objects defined to the database (for example, tables, primary keys, relationships, stored procedures). These user-defined objects (collectively, Optim objects) are stored in the Optim Directory.
The Optim Directory is a set of database tables used by Optim to track processing status and store objects needed for processing. You must use the Configuration program to create or configure the Optim Directory tables and stored procedures needed to access the Directory.
Objects in the Optim Directory that are common to the Optim components include:
An Access Definition is required for an Archive or Extract Process and is sometimes used for a Compare, Edit, or Restore Process.
A Column Map is used for a single table Compare Process and can be referenced in a Table Map used for a Compare, Convert, Insert, Load, or Restore Process.
A DB Alias is needed any time Optim references a database object; for example, to identify an Optim primary key, Optim relationship, or a database table referenced in an Access Definition, Column Map, or Table Map.
A primary key can be used to create an Optim relationship, and is required for a table that is changed by a Delete, Insert, or Restore Process or a table that is visited more than once in an Extract or Archive Process. A primary key is also required to enable the row selection (Point and Shoot) feature for an Access Definition or an Archive or Extract Process.
Optim uses primary keys defined to the database, if present. You can define Optim primary keys to supplement those in the database.
Optim uses relationships to determine the data to be retrieved from related tables and relies upon relationships defined to the database, if available. However, you can also define relationships to supplement those in the database. Generally, a relationship is needed in a process that uses an Access Definition.
A Table Map is required for a Compare, Convert, Insert, Load, or Restore Process.
Processes are discussed in the appropriate user manuals. Utilities, except those specific to Archive (e.g., Archive Directory Maintenance and File Registry, and the Storage Profile Utility), are discussed in this book. The utilities discussed here are:
You can use this utility to restart or retry a Delete, Insert, or Insert/Update Process.
Options are used to maintain the Optim environment. Generally, Product Options parameters enforce site and system requirements, while Personal Options allow you to customize Optim for each workstation.
Security options allow you to establish as many as three levels of security for Optim. Functional security allows you to control user access to the interface for functions provided by Optim; object security allows you to control access to specific objects in the Optim Directory, and Archive File security allows you to control access to data in Archive Files. All security options are documented in the Installation and Configuration Guide.
Common Optim objects and utilities and Personal Options are discussed in ensuing chapters. (Product Options are discussed in the Installation and Configuration Guide.)