Data Definition Language (DDL) Reference Manual (G06.24+)
Dictionary Database Structure
Data Definition Language (DDL) Reference Manual—426798-002
D-3
Dictionary Files
Table D-1 shows the text items described in the following three objects:
CONSTANT custnum-heading VALUE "Customer".
DEF initials PIC XXX VALUE ALL SPACES
 HELP "Initials".
DEF quantity PIC 999 MUST BE 1 THRU 999.
In Table D-1, each text item is assigned a unique text ID number. Note that a single 
text item can contain more than one text type.
Dictionary Files
When DDL compiles a source schema into a dictionary, it builds 14 files. Table D-2 lists 
the names of these files with a brief description of each file. All the files except 
DICTDDF are key-sequenced; DICTDDF is an unstructured file.
Table D-1. Text IDs Assigned to Text Items
Text ID Element Number Text Item Type
1 0 “Customer” S (String)
20 “XXX”S (String)
3 0 “ALL” K (Keyword)
3 1 “SPACES” K (Keyword)
4 0 “Initials” S (String)
5 0 “999” S (String)
6 0 “1” N (Number)
6 1 “THRU” K (Keyword)
6 2 “999” N (Number)
Table D-2. Dictionary Files Built for a Source Schema (page1of2)
Name Description
DICTALT ALTERNATE KEY FILE—contains keys for DICTKDF, DICTOBL, 
DICTODF, and DICTRDF.
DICTCDF CONSTANT DEFINITION FILE—contains one CDF record for each 
constant. Each record associates a constant name with the numeric or 
string text in the DICTOTF (Object Text File) for that constant.
DICTDDF DICTIONARY DEFINITION FILE—contains one DDF record with the 
next object number to be assigned, the next text ID number to be 
assigned, DDL version information, and the creator’s user ID. 
DICTKDF KEY DEFINITION FILE—contains one KDF record for each alternate or 
primary key of each RECORD. DICTKDF also contains records 
describing fields or groups sorted by a SEQUENCE IS clause. 










