User guide

Tasks Involved in Developing Your Data Base
Developing the Data Base
058058 Tandem Computers Incorporated 2–7
Use the SEQUENCE IS clause for nonkey-sequenced files if the records are already
sorted according to the value of a field. When the field is modified by a BY or
ASCD clause, ENFORM reads the SEQUENCE IS clause and suppresses its own
sort process thus reducing processing time.
Specify the actual file type of the physical file (or files) associated with the record
description. ENFORM obtains the file type from the dictionary. If the file type of
a physical file is not the same as the file type specified in the dictionary, your
query might return unexpected results.
Data Dictionary
The data dictionary produced by the DDL compiler is a set of files that form a
permanent record of your data base organization. The dictionary provides ENFORM
with information about each record in the data base. If you write an ENFORM query,
any records specified in the query must be described with a DDL RECORD statement
and the RECORD statement must be compiled into a data dictionary.
Use the ?SHOW Command to Examine a Record Description. If you have forgotten the name
of a field or its data category, use the ?SHOW command from within the ENFORM
process to examine the dictionary record description. First, issue the ENFORM OPEN
statement which causes ENFORM to read a copy of the record description into its
internal table. Next issue the ?SHOW record command which causes ENFORM to
display the record description. For example:
OPEN parts;
?SHOW parts
causes ENFORM to display:
01 A 0:37 PARTS: $MKT.SAMPLE.PARTS
02 N 0:4 ,P-KEY PARTNUM.
02 A 4:18 ,A-KEY PARTNAME.
02 N 22:4 INVENTORY.
02 A 26:3 LOCATION.
02 N 29:8 PRICE.
Use ENFORM to Create Dictionary Reports. Use ENFORM to produce reports about the
dictionary that provide:
Data base documentation for the individuals using the data base.
Data base analysis information that can be helpful when modifications or
additions to the dictionary are considered.