Dataloader/MP Reference Manual

Specifying File-Related Options for DataLoader/MP
DataLoader/MP Reference Manual—424148-003
4-8
KEYRANGE
DEFINE names begin with an equals sign (=). If you try to use a DEFINE name for -E,
-I, -O, -S, or -T, the command line would contain a double equals sign: -I==defname.
Double equals signs is TACL’s symbol for start of a comment, which would cause the
command to be misinterpreted. To use a DEFINE name with -E, -I, -O, -S, or -T, you
must place a tilde (~) before the double equals: -I~==defname. The tilde is needed
only on the TACL command line and even then, only when the DEFINE name
immediately follows an equal sign.
KEYRANGE
The KEYRANGE interpretation indicates to DataLoader/MP that the data is to be
distributed to one of the set of files listed in the KEYRANGE file, depending on the key
of each record. The file must be an edit file.
Each record contains key and file information for an output file. Each key value must
be a string of printable characters enclosed in double quotes. There is no way to
specify the double quote character or any non-printable character in the key value.
One of the key values must be the null string (““, two double quotes, with no space)
and it stands for the lowest possible value of the key. The lines do not need to be in
key order.
When a record is written to a KEYRANGE file, DataLoader/MP calls the BUILDKEY
user exit function to determine the key value of the record. If the key contains any non-
printable characters, BUILDKEY should convert the key fields into a representation that
uses only printable characters.
There must be one file with key value equal to ““. This example assumes that k1 is less
than k2 which is less than k3.
For example:
““ file0
k1 file1
k2 file2
k3 file3
cause data to be distributed as follows:
key < k1 store in file0
k1 <= key < k2 store in file1
k2 <= key < k3 store in file2
k3 <= key store in file3
If you use the KEYRANGE interpretation with an uncustomized version of
DataLoader/MP, it uses the entire record as the key. The file item can use any
DataLoader/MP interpretations and modifiers.