Re: SQL-defined files/tables

[D.BALE@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

John, Al,

FRFs, REF, REFFLD:  While I agree with the concept, I will admit that I am not
a big fan of these as they are implemented on the AS/400.

I have ranted on this topic before here on this list.  It basically boils down
to this:  When editing the DDS for a physical file, I have to scan the FRF/REF
source to see the "real" definition.  Not a big deal for one or two fields you
have to modify or add, but for entire files, it can be extremely time
consuming.  I have never seen a well-designed FRF.  Multiple field definitions
that define essentially the same element, hierarchy defined by placement in
the source, inability to keep all field definitions in a single FRF because of
PF restrictions of number of fields (see JDEdwards).

I have a concept that I should have developed a little earlier in the AS/400's
life cycle:  There should be no edit-able source for PF and LF file
definitions (and I'm not talking SQL QMQRY source here either).  One table
would exist in an environment that would define ALL files & fields - this
would not be an FRF, but rather a file like, um, well think along the lines of
the QWHDRFFD format that IBM supplies for the DSPFFD outfile.  This would be
maintained by an interactive application that would make it easy to use
REFFLDs so you can see the definition, kind of like the JDEdwards DD
application.  Still a rough draft, but doable, I think.

I'll invite you all to my grand opening when I get it done.  <g>

Dan Bale
IT - AS/400
Handleman Company
248-362-4400  Ext. 4952

-------------------------- Original Message --------------------------

D.BALE@handleman.com wrote:
> Is it my impression that SQL can define a database file with all the
> attributes available to us in DDS, both PF & LF?  I understand that DDS
has
> only a subset of the attributes that can be defined in SQL (as of V4R5?).
So
> my question is whether I lose any functionality by defining a database
file
> using SQL vs. DDS?


Dan

REFFLD(xxxx),   REF(xxxxx)

Thoses are big omissions in my opinion.

John Carr
+---
| This is the Midrange System Mailing List!
| To submit a new message, send your mail to MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com.
| To subscribe to this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-SUB@midrange.com.
| To unsubscribe from this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
| Questions should be directed to the list owner/operator: david@midrange.com
+---