Output Redirection Commands

In this section:

Reference:

Three APP commands (APP HOLD, APP HOLDDATA, and APP HOLDMETA) along with the FILEDEF and DYNAM commands comprise a class of commands that control where output is stored. In order to redirect output as you wish, it is important to understand the interactions among these commands.

Note: When the same behavior applies for APP HOLD, APP HOLDDATA, and APP HOLDMETA, these commands are referred to collectively as APP HOLD*. Note also that although DYNAM (USS only) and FILEDEF are not members of the APP family of commands, these file allocation commands interact with the APP HOLD* commands. Therefore, where appropriate, these commands are also included in this discussion. APP FI[LEDEF] has been deprecated and aliased to FILEDEF.

The most straightforward of these commands is APP HOLD, which allows you to relocate all output to a particular application. You can use this command with operations that produce output files, such as HOLD, SAVE and SAVB, as well as with CREATE SYNONYM and APP QUERY HOLD. (For details about HOLD, SAVE, and SAVB commands, see the Creating Reports With WebFOCUS Language manual.)

The APP HOLD* commands are particularly helpful when you are creating permanent files for other applications to use. However, if a command is used at an inappropriate point in the application or if it remains in effect when further steps are performed within the application, the target application may be flooded with intermediate and unintended files. Understanding the behavior of each command and the interactions among them will help you avoid this situation.


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Reference: Interactions Among Output Redirection Commands

This chart describes the behavior associated with each redirection command and the interactions among them if multiple commands are used.

Command

Stand Alone

Notes

APP HOLD

Redirects all Agent output from HOLD, SAVE, SAVB, CREATE SYNONYM, and APP QUERY HOLD commands to the designated application.

When issued without a specific appname, APP HOLD has the effect of turning off the command.

APP HOLDDATA

Redirects the data from HOLD, SAVE, and SAVB operations to the designated application, but does not redirect the associated metadata (see Note 1 after chart).

Overrides APP HOLD.

APP HOLDMETA

Redirects the metadata from HOLD, SAVE, and SAVB operations to the designated application, but does not redirect the associated data (see Note 1 after chart).

Overrides APP HOLD.

FILEDEF ddname 
DYNAM ALLOC ddname 

Redirects the data from specific HOLD, SAVE, and SAVB operations to the designated target, but does not redirect the associated metadata (see Note 1 after chart).

The AS phrase must match the ddname. When there is no AS phrase, the ddname must match a predefined default name: HOLD for HOLD output files; SAVE for SAVE output files; and SAVB for SAVB output files.

Overrides APP HOLD and APP HOLDDATA.

DYNAM ALLOC HOLDMAST

Redirects the metadata from HOLD, SAVE, and SAVB operations to the designated target (using the HOLDMAST ddname), but does not redirect the associated data (see Note 1 after chart).

The recommended practice is to use this command on a request-by-request basis to avoid overriding previous output. If used as a global setting, previously held output will be overwritten with the same name.

Overrides APP HOLD and APP HOLDMETA.

Note:



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APP HOLD

How to:

The APP HOLD command defines an application in which to hold output data files (and associated Master and Access Files, if applicable) created by a HOLD, SAVE, or SAVB process in the application.

APP HOLD is intended to be used to refresh files that are common for all users of the application. It should not be used for private files since it points to an application area that is used by multiple users. If the same hold name (HOLD or AS name, for example) is used, conflicts between users could result.

For related information, see Interactions Among Output Redirection Commands.



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Syntax: How to Designate a Storage Location for Temporary Files
APP HOLD appname[/appnamea...]

where:

appname[/appnamea...]

Is the application in which you wish to store output files. It can be a nested application name.

Note: Issuing APP HOLD without an appname turns off the effects of the command.


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APP HOLDDATA

How to:

The APP HOLDDATA command designates an application as the location for storing data files created with the HOLD command. For related information, see Interactions Among Output Redirection Commands.



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Syntax: How to Designate a Storage Location for Data Files
APP HOLDDATA appname[/appnamea...]

where:

appname[/appnamea...]

Is the name of the location for the data files created by any write process in the application. It can be a nested application name


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APP HOLDMETA

How to:

The APP HOLDMETA command designates an application directory as the location for storing Master and Access Files created in the application. For related information, see Interactions Among Output Redirection Commands.



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Syntax: How to Designate a Storage Location for Master and Access Files
APP HOLDMETA appname[/appnamea...]

where:

appname[/appnamea...]

Is the name of the location for the Master and Access Files created in the application. It can be a nested application name.


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APP FI[LEDEF]

The APP FI[LEDEF] command has been deprecated and aliased to FILEDEF. For information, see the Stored Procedure Reference manual.


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