Describing Data With WebFOCUS Language

Feedback

Copyright © 2014 Information Builders

This documentation describes how to create the metadata for the data sources that WebFOCUS applications will access. It is intended for database administrators, application developers, or other information technology professionals who will create the metadata used by WebFOCUS to access corporate data.

How This Manual Is Organized

This manual includes the following chapters:

Chapter/Appendix

Contents

1

Understanding a Data Source Description

Introduces data source descriptions and explains how to use them.

2

Identifying a Data Source

Documents how to describe general aspects of a data source.

3

Describing a Group of Fields

Documents how to describe groups of related fields or segments of a data source.

4

Describing an Individual Field

Documents how to describe specific field level information of a data source.

5

Describing a Sequential, VSAM, or ISAM Data Source

Provides supplementary information specific to sequential, VSAM, and ISAM data sources.

6

Describing a FOCUS Data Source

Provides information specific to FOCUS data sources.

7

Defining a Join in a Master File

Describes how to create a new relationship between any two segments that have at least one field in common by joining them.

8

Creating a Business View of a Master File

Describes how to create a view of a Master File that groups the information based on business logic.

9

Checking and Changing a Master File: CHECK

Describes how to use the CHECK command to validate a data source description.

10

Providing Data Source Security: DBA

Describes how you can use DBA security features to provide security for any FOCUS data source.

11

Creating and Rebuilding a Data Source

Describes utilities to create new FOCUS data sources and to refresh existing data sources after the structure has changed.

A

Master Files and Diagrams

Contains Master Files and diagrams of sample data sources used in the documentation examples.

B

Error Messages

Describes how to obtain information about error messages.

Documentation Conventions

The following table describes the documentation conventions that are used in this manual.

Convention

Description

THIS TYPEFACE

or

this typeface

Denotes syntax that you must enter exactly as shown.

this typeface

Represents a placeholder (or variable), a cross-reference, or an important term.

underscore

Indicates a default setting.

Key + Key

Indicates keys that you must press simultaneously.

{ }

Indicates two or three choices. Type one of them, not the braces.

[ ]

Indicates a group of optional parameters. None is required, but you may select one of them. Type only the parameter in the brackets, not the brackets.

|

Separates mutually exclusive choices in syntax. Type one of them, not the symbol.

...

Indicates that you can enter a parameter multiple times. Type only the parameter, not the ellipsis (...).

.

.

.

Indicates that there are (or could be) intervening or additional commands.

Related Publications

Visit our Technical Documentation Library at http://documentation.informationbuilders.com. You can also contact the Publications Order Department at (800) 969-4636.

Customer Support

Do you have any questions about this product?

Join the Focal Point community. Focal Point is our online developer center and more than a message board. It is an interactive network of more than 3,000 developers from almost every profession and industry, collaborating on solutions and sharing tips and techniques. Access Focal Point at http://forums.informationbuilders.com/eve/forums.

You can also access support services electronically, 24 hours a day, with InfoResponse Online. InfoResponse Online is accessible through our website, http://www.informationbuilders.com. It connects you to the tracking system and known-problem database at the Information Builders support center. Registered users can open, update, and view the status of cases in the tracking system and read descriptions of reported software issues. New users can register immediately for this service. The technical support section of www.informationbuilders.com also provides usage techniques, diagnostic tips, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Call Information Builders Customer Support Services (CSS) at (800) 736-6130 or (212) 736-6130. Customer Support Consultants are available Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST to address all your questions. Information Builders consultants can also give you general guidance regarding product capabilities. Please be ready to provide your six-digit site code number (xxxx.xx) when you call.

To learn about the full range of available support services, ask your Information Builders representative about InfoResponse Online, or call (800) 969-INFO.

Information You Should Have

To help our consultants answer your questions effectively, be prepared to provide the following information when you call:

User Feedback

In an effort to produce effective documentation, the Technical Content Management staff welcomes your opinions regarding this document. Please use the Reader Comments form at the end of this document to communicate your feedback to us or to suggest changes that will support improvements to our documentation. You can also contact us through our website, http://documentation.informationbuilders.com/connections.asp.

Thank you, in advance, for your comments.

Information Builders Consulting and Training

Interested in training? Information Builders Education Department offers a wide variety of training courses for this and other Information Builders products.

For information on course descriptions, locations, and dates, or to register for classes, visit our website (http://education.informationbuilders.com) or call (800) 969-INFO to speak to an Education Representative.