HP System Dictionary/XL SDMAIN Reference Manual (32256-90001)

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that already exist. It also saves data storage space by preventing data redundancy and helps to
standardize data definitions within an organization.
For a more detailed introduction to what data dictionaries are and how an organization can use a data
dictionary, see the HP primer entitled Managing Your Information Network: A Data Dictionary Primer
What is System Dictionary?
System Dictionary provides dictionary capabilities to the 900 Series, HP 3000 computer systems. All of the
dictionary functions that are discussed above, plus others that are discussed later in this manual are
provided by System Dictionary.
The main areas of functionality in System Dictionary are:
1 Defining the Dictionary Environment
2 Defining the Dictionary Structure
3 Defining and Maintaining Data
4 Reporting on Dictionary Contents
You can access all of these functions through the HP System Dictionary Command Language. Chapter 3
provides an overview of each of these functional areas. Chapter 4 provides details about each command.
In addition to SDMAIN that is described in this document, HP System Dictionary provides the following
utilities:
• Dictionary/V to HP System Dictionary Conversion Utility (SDCONV) - translates data defini-
tions from a Dictionary/V database to the System Dictionary database.
• TurboIMAGE/V and IMAGE/V Database Definition Loader (SDDBD ) - loads information about
an IMAGE/V database structure into System Dictionary from an IMAGE/V root file.
• VPlus/V Forms Definition Loader (SDVPD) - loads information about VPlus/V forms into System
Dictionary from a VPlus/V forms file.
• TurboIMAGE/V and IMAGE/V Database Creation Utility (SDDBC)-createsIMAGEschemes and
root files from definitions in System Dictionary.
• COBOL Definition Extractor Utility (SDCDE)-createsCOBOLcopylibsfromdefinitionsinSystem
Dictionary.
These utilities are described in the documents entitled HP System Dictionary/XL Utilities Reference
Manual, HP System Dictionary/XL General Reference Manual, Volume 2. The basic System Dictionary
concepts are described in the manual entitled HP System Dictionary/XL General Reference Manual,
Volume 1.
What is the SDMAIN Program?
The program that provides the interface to System Dictionary is the Dictionary Maintenance Program
called SDMAIN. You must run the SDMAIN program to access the Command Language commands that
create, maintain, and report entries in the dictionary. The SDMAIN program provides access to the
dictionary without requiring a program to be written for each specific task.
How to use this Manual
This manual is designed to progress from a general description of HP System Dictionary and its various
functional areas to the specific description of the HP System Dictionary Command Language.
• Chapter 2 explains how to execute the SDMAIN program.