ADABAS Interface User's Manual and Installation Guide

Feedback

This manual describes how to install and use the ADABAS Interface, which extends the reporting facilities of FOCUS to ADABAS database structures.

To use the manual effectively, you must be familiar with standard FOCUS reporting features as described in the FOCUS for IBM Mainframe User's Manual. This manual also assumes you have access to the ADABAS Database Management System (DBMS) and are familiar with ADABAS processing.

This manual supersedes the FOCUS Interface to ADABAS User's Manual (DN1000017.0390) and incorporates information from the Technical Memo for the ADABAS Interface Installation Guide (TM7911.1).

You can install the ADABAS Interface in the MVS and VM/CMS operating environments. Detailed installation instructions are included in Appendix A, Installation Instructions.

How This Manual Is Organized

Chapter/Appendix		Contents
1	Introduction	Describes how the Interface operates and how to use it.
2	Getting Started	Describes the Interface execution instructions.
3	ADABAS Overview and Mapping Considerations	Describes the components of an ADABAS database and how to map ADABAS structures to FOCUS.
4	The AUTOADBS Facility	Describes how to automatically generate Master and Access Files for ADABAS files and user views.
5	Describing ADABAS Files to FOCUS	Describes how ADABAS features relate to FOCUS and provides details on the components of FOCUS Master and Access Files.
6	Report Considerations	Describes advanced reporting topics, such as the FOCUS SET ALL command and the JOIN command.
7	Interface Navigation	Describes how the Interface navigates an ADABAS database through direct calls in read-only mode.
8	Environment Commands	Lists Interface environment commands that display and change the parameters that govern your FOCUS session.
9	Debugging Techniques	Describes installation verification procedures and the tracing facilities for the Interface.
A	Installation Instructions	Describes how to install the Interface in the MVS and CMS operating environments. These instructions apply to FOCUS Release 7.0 and higher.
B	Interface Error Messages	Lists ADABAS Interface error messages.
C	Sample File Descriptions	Contains sample Master Files, Access Files, and Field Definition Tables for the examples included throughout this manual.

Documentation Conventions

The following table describes the documentation conventions that are used in this manual.

Convention	Description
THIS TYPEFACE or this typeface	Denotes syntax that you must enter exactly as shown.
this typeface	Represents a placeholder (or variable) in syntax for a value that you or the system must supply.
underscore	Indicates a default setting.
this typeface	Represents a placeholder (or variable), a cross-reference, or an important term. It may also indicate a button, menu item, or dialog box option that you can click or select.
Key + Key	Indicates keys that you must press simultaneously.
{ }	Indicates two or three choices. Type one of them, not the braces.
[ ]	Indicates a group of optional parameters. None are required, but you may select one of them. Type only the parameter in the brackets, not the brackets.
\|	Separates mutually exclusive choices in syntax. Type one of them, not the symbol.
...	Indicates that you can enter a parameter multiple times. Type only the parameter, not the ellipsis (...).
. . .	Indicates that there are (or could be) intervening or additional commands.

Related Publications

Visit our Technical Documentation Library at http://documentation.informationbuilders.com. You can also contact the Publications Order Department at (800) 969-4636.

Customer Support

Do you have questions about FOCUS for Mainframe?

Call Information Builders Customer Support Services (CSS) at (800) 736-6130 or (212) 736-6130. Customer Support Consultants are available Monday through Friday between 8:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. EST to address all your FOCUS for Mainframe questions. Information Builders consultants can also give you general guidance regarding product capabilities and documentation. Please be ready to provide your six-digit site code (xxxx.xx) when you call.

You can also access support services electronically, 24 hours a day, with InfoResponse Online. InfoResponse Online is accessible through our World Wide Web site, http://www.informationbuilders.com. It connects you to the tracking system and known-problem database at the Information Builders support center. Registered users can open, update, and view the status of cases in the tracking system and read descriptions of reported software issues. New users can register immediately for this service. The technical support section of www.informationbuilders.com also provides usage techniques, diagnostic tips, and answers to frequently asked questions.

To learn about the full range of available support services, ask your Information Builders representative about InfoResponse Online, or call (800) 969-INFO.

Information You Should Have

To help our consultants answer your questions most effectively, be ready to provide the following information when you call:

Your six-digit site code (xxxx.xx).
The FOCEXEC procedure (preferably with line numbers).
Master file with picture (provided by CHECK FILE).
Run sheet (beginning at login, including call to FOCUS), containing the following information:
- ? RELEASE
- ? FDT
- ? LET
- ? LOAD
- ? COMBINE
- ? JOIN
- ? DEFINE
- ? STAT
- ? SET/? SET GRAPH
- ? USE
- ? TSO DDNAME OR CMS FILEDEF
The exact nature of the problem:
- Are the results or the format incorrect? Are the text or calculations missing or misplaced?
- The error message and code, if applicable.
- Is this related to any other problem?
Has the procedure or query ever worked in its present form? Has it been changed recently? How often does the problem occur?
What release of the operating system are you using? Has it, FOCUS, your security system, or an interface system changed?
Is this problem reproducible? If so, how?
Have you tried to reproduce your problem in the simplest form possible? For example, if you are having problems joining two data sources, have you tried executing a query containing just the code to access the data source?
Do you have a trace file?
How is the problem affecting your business? Is it halting development or production? Do you just have questions about functionality or documentation?

User Feedback

In an effort to produce effective documentation, the Documentation Services staff welcomes your opinions regarding this manual. Please use the Reader Comments form at the end of this manual to relay suggestions for improving the publication or to alert us to corrections. You can also use the Documentation Feedback form on our Web site, http://documentation.informationbuilders.com/feedback.asp.

Thank you, in advance, for your comments.

Information Builders Consulting and Training

Interested in training? Information Builders Education Department offers a wide variety of training courses for this and other Information Builders products.

For information on course descriptions, locations, and dates, or to register for classes, visit our World Wide Web site (http://www.informationbuilders.com) or call (800) 969-INFO to speak to an Education Representative.