A file definition item contains the information that the system needs to find the file's data. The item can also contain information about index sections, retrieval and update lock codes, a sublist code, and an alignment code and column width for displaying the file's item-ids.
The attributes of a file definition item include the following:
Attribute 1 Contains the character D, sometimes followed by other characters.
Attributes 2-4 Contain data that cannot be changed directly.
Attribute 5 User-defined retrieval lock code(s).
Attribute 6 User-defined update lock code(s).
Attribute 7 Optional conversion codes for displaying item-ids.
Attribute 8 Optional V (sublist) code. Can be used to enter a "V" code to indicate a sublist. For details, see Sublists - V Code.
Attribute 9 Alignment. Can be one of the following: L (left), I (indented), R (right), T (text), U (unlimited). For details, see Data Definition Item.
Attribute 10 Default column width of 10 characters. Can be changed to another numeric value for a required default column width.
For full details of the format of a File Definition Item, refer to the topic File Definition Item in the the section File and Item Structures (User's Reference: General).
After a file is created, only file definition items for the data sections are in the file's dictionary. A file definition item can be displayed by the LIST-ITEM command:
:LIST-ITEM DICT INV.HQ 'INV.HQ' INV.HA 001 DL D-Pointer, L-Transaction Logging 002 ACCOUNTS/INV.HQ.INV.HQ 003 B3 301,1 004 005 Retrieval lock code 006 Update lock code 007 008 Sublist 009 L Left align 010 10 Default column width