File Definition Item

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.

Contents

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).

Example

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