CA-IDMS Data Adapter User's Manual

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This documentation describes how to use the CA-IDMS^® Read Only Data Adapter in the MVS™ and VM/CMS operating environments. It is intended for FOCUS^® users who need to retrieve information from CA-IDMS^®/DB data sources. It is available in the following formats: printed manual and Adobe^® Acrobat^®. References to MVS apply to all supported releases of MVS, OS/390^®, and z/OS™. References to VM, VM/CMS, or CMS apply to all supported releases of VM/CMS and z/VM™.

How This Manual Is Organized

Chapter/Appendix		Contents
1	Introduction to the CA-IDMS Data Adapter	Introduces the data adapter, its operating environments, and its core requirements.
2	Getting Started	Describes how to access the data adapter.
3	IDMS Overview and Mapping Concepts	Discusses IDMS data source structures and how they are represented as FOCUS structures.
4	CA-IDMS Data Adapter Master Files	Describes the elements in a Master File that describes network record-types and Logical Record Facility (LRF)-based records.
5	CA-IDMS Data Adapter Access Files	Describes the elements in an Access File for network record-types and LRF-based records.
6	Creating File Descriptions With AUTOIDMS	Describes how to use the AUTOIDMS facility to automatically create Master and Access files.
7	CA-IDMS Data Adapter Reporting Techniques	Describes advanced reporting topics, such as the retrieval sequence, retrieving short paths, file inversion, and the JOIN command.
8	CA-IDMS Record Retrieval Intervals	Describes internal calls that the data adapter generates to retrieve records.
A	Error Messages and Troubleshooting	Describes how to generate error messages online, how to access errors files. Lists common errors and the associated IDMS response codes.
B	CA-IDMS Data Adapter Samples	Contains sample schemas, subschemas, Master Files, and Access Files.
C	Tracing CA-IDMS Data Adapter Processing	Describes how to activate and deactivate data adapter traces.

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

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Customer Support

Do you have questions about CA-IDMS Data Adapter?

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 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

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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.