_ddfil.utl Utility- FILE Interface Module

Syntax

call "_ddfil.utl",old_file$,action,new_file${,options$}

The _ddfil.utl utility is the interface module for files defined in the data dictionary. Users can utilize this program to:

Retrieve parameters for a given alias.
Add a new alias to the data dictionary, or modify an existing alias in the data dictionary.
Remove a file reference from the data dictionary.
Copy data dictionary information from one alias to another.

Parameter	Description
`old_file$`	This can be passed to `_ddfil.utl` as either an ALIAS or as a complete record. It will be returned as a dimensioned string and filled in with the requested data. For a complete list of templates, see Data Dictionary Record Template.
`action`	Action, as follows:
	0 Query
	1 Add/Modify
	2 Remove
	3 Copy
`new_file$`	If ACTION=3 (copy), this parameter contains the name of the ALIAS being copied TO.
`options$`
	"s" Silent - no prompts displayed.
	"E" If used with `action`=2, erases the associated data file.

ACTION=0

The following queries information about the CUSTOMER alias:

LET FILE1$="CUSTOMER"
CALL BBEXT$+"_ddfil.utl",FILE1$,0

The following silently queries information about the CUSTOMER alias:

LET FILE1$="CUSTOMER"
CALL BBEXT$+"_ddfil.utl",FILE1$,0,$$,"s"

ACTION=1

The following modifies information for the CUSTOMER alias:

LET FILE1$="CUSTOMER"
CALL BBEXT$+"_ddfil.utl",FILE1$,0
LET FILE1.DESCR$="Customer master file."
CALL BBEXT$+"_ddfil.utl",FILE1$,1

ACTION=2

The following removes the CUSTOMER alias from the data dictionary, but does not erase the data file:

LET FILE1$="CUSTOMER"
CALL BBEXT$+"_ddfil.utl",FILE1$,2

See _dderase.utl to erase data files.

ACTION=3

The following copies CUSTOMER alias information to EMPLOYEE, but does not copy the data file:

LET FILE1$="CUSTOMER";
LET FILE2$="EMPLOYEE";
CALL BBEXT$+"_ddfil.utl",FILE1$,3,FILE2$

See _qkcpy.utl to copy data files.