SET-FILE

Creates a file synonym definition item (Q-pointer) in your current account MD to allow access to a file in another account, or in your current account by a different name.

Note: The syntax /account/file allows you to access a file on another account without setting up a temporary or permanent Q-pointer.

Syntax

SET-FILE {account-name {file-specifier} {?} {(options}}

Syntax Elements

account-name is the name of the account containing the file you want to access.

The system verifies the named account as a valid account and prints an error message if the named account is not found. The 'B' or 'N' option inhibits account-name verification.

file-specifier is the name of the file for which the Q-pointer is being set up.

The system verifies the named file as a valid file on the specified account and prints an error message if the named file is not located. The 'B' or 'N' option inhibits file-name verification.

? displays current SET-FILE parameters.

Note: If you do not specify the account and file names as part of the command and do not use the question mark or D option, the system prompts for them.

Options

B Inhibits verification of user input, that is, the accountname, file-name, and data-section-name.

Caution

The B option will let you set a Q-pointer to a non-existent account or to a non-existent file.

C Configures default Q-pointer items.

H Help. Displays SET-FILE options and current parameters.

L Allows viewing (but not update) of current parameters.

N A synonym for the B option.

O Overwrites the existing Q-pointer. Used with the P or S options.

P Creates a permanent Q-pointer (name prompted for). Instead of 'QFILE', the item-id is the name of the file pointed to or any other synonym that you specify.

PS Allows you to change the name of a permanent Q-pointer previously created with the P or S option.

Q Updates a port-dependent Q-pointer; used with the P option.

S A Synonym for the P option.

V Displays the current version of the SET-FILE command.

A ? when used at the FILE NAME? prompt provides a list of files on the specified account.

Operation

The SET-FILE command builds two temporary Q-pointers called "QFILE" and "QF*port.no" (where port.no is your current port number). These Q-pointers are maintained until SET-FILE is re-executed, thereby changing QFILE and QF*port.no.

By using the P or S option, you can create a Q-pointer with any name that you specify. This creates a permanent Q-pointer that is not changed by subsequent SET-FILE commands, unless you specifically overwrite it using the O option.

Using the PS option you can change the name of the permanent Q-pointer without changing the file pointed to.

SET-FILE has two main uses:

To access a file in another account by its own or a synonym file-name.
To access a file on the same account by a synonym file-name.

Examples

Example 1

In the following examples, the port number is assumed to be 5.

:SET-FILE SYSPROG BP
'QFILE' and 'QF*5' UPDATED

Creates or updates 'QFILE' and 'QF*5' to point to the 'BP' file on the 'SYSPROG' account.

Example 2

:SET-FILE
*Account = 'SYSPROG'
     *File = 'BP'
ACCOUNT NAME?RECORDS 
     FILE NAME?ADDRESS 
'QFILE' and 'QF*5' UPDATED

Creates or updates 'QFILE' and 'QF*5' to point to the 'ADDRESS' file on the 'RECORDS' account.

If you now type:

:LIST QFILE

you will get the same response as if you had logged onto the RECORDS account and then typed:

:LIST ADDRESS

Example 3

:SET-FILE ?
Help is available with the 'H' option.

Other information:
The Port-dependent Q-pointer-id is 'QF*401'.
The Non-port-dependent 'QFILE' is also in use.

Current Q-pointer contents:
*Account = REALWEB-EXAMPLES
   *File = SUBROUTINE.EXAMPLES

In this example, the current SET-FILE parameters are displayed. This command option does not display "permanent" Q-pointer items.

Example 4

:SET-FILE ACCTS (P
Use 'ACCTS' as a permanent Q-pointer id? Y
'ACCTS' created.

Sets a permanent Q-pointer named 'ACCTS' to the MD of the ACCTS account.

Example 5

:SET-FILE RECORDS ADDRESS (P
Use 'ADDRESS' as a permanent Q-pointer id? N
Enter name for permanent Q-pointer: REC.ADD 
Use 'REC.ADD' as a permanent Q-pointer id? Y
'REC.ADD' created.

This example set a Q-pointer named 'REC.ADD' to the 'ADDRESS' file on the 'RECORDS' account.