bdfd1m0zDatabase Administration

File Names

The TPFDF product uses the DSECT name to identify a file in application programs. Figure 32 shows a convention for the 6-character file (and DSECT) name that is based on the International Passenger Airline Reservation System (IPARS) standard. While you do not have to use the IPARS standard, the TPFDF product DSECT names must be 6 characters long and each character must adhere to any rules stated in the descriptions that follow.

Figure 32. Syntax of a DSECT Macro File Name


Each character is defined as follows:

1st
The first character can be any alphabetic character that defines the application type. If you are using the International Passenger Airline Reservation System (IPARS) standard, the first character identifies one of the following application types:

A
Accounting

C
Cargo

F
Fare quote/ticketing

G
General functions

M
Message switching

O
Operation

Q
Communication middleware

R
Passenger reservation

S
System software

W
Departure control system

X, Y, and Z
Reserved for future use.

Optionally, you can set the first character of the DSECT macro name to any alphanumeric character and use the DBDEF APL parameter to specify the type of application. See the APL parameter description on page ***.

2nd
The second character is alphabetic. It identifies the type of file:

P
P-type files are customer-format files that do not have to follow the same standards as standard-format files (R, W, and T). Because P-type files do not have to follow one standard format, you must include more information when coding TPFDF macros, functions, and utilities than with standard-format files. P-type files do not contain logical records (LRECs); an entire block acts as an LREC.

R
Real-time files. This means all types of application data files (whether stored in fixed or in pool prime blocks), excluding W-type files.

W
Work file that only lasts the lifetime of the entry control block (ECB).

T
Temporary LREC stored in a W-type file.

Optionally, you can set the second character of the DSECT macro name to any alphanumeric character and use global set symbol &SW00TYP to specify the file category. See the &SW00TYP description on page ***.

3rd and 4th
The third and fourth characters can be any combination of alphanumeric characters that you choose to identify the file uniquely. You can set these to the file ID (if this consists of 2 alphanumeric characters).

5th and 6th
The fifth and sixth characters can be any combination of alphanumeric characters that you choose to identify the file. If you are using the IPARS standard, the fifth and sixth characters represent a 2-character company code.