IMS/DB Interface User's Manual and Installation Guide

Feedback

This manual describes how to use and install the FOCUS IMS/DB Interface. It is applicable to FOCUS Release 7.7, and it works with all IMS versions, subject to the constraint that certain features are available only in IMS version 3.1 and above; these cases are noted in the text.

With the FOCUS IMS/DB Interface installed, you can use FOCUS to analyze and report from data stored in IMS databases. The Interface provides read-only access to the IMS database management system (DBMS) under the MVS operating system; access from VM is available through the FOCUS Cross-Machine Interface.

If you also have the FOCUS DB2 Interface installed, you can access IMS databases from a DB2 MODIFY procedure. See the FOCUS for IBM Mainframe DB2 and SQL/DS Read/Write Interface Users Manual for details.

This updated manual includes corrections and FOCUS Release 7.7 features. Use it in conjunction with the FOCUS for IBM Mainframe Users Manual.

To use this manual effectively, you must be familiar with basic FOCUS reporting syntax and IMS concepts. You must also have access to IMS database information. This includes both data within the databases and descriptive information about them (such as database descriptions and field names). Check with your IMS database administrator (DBA) about file information, storage, and other site-specific considerations.

How This Manual Is Organized

This manual includes the following chapters:

Chapter/Appendix		Contents
1	Introduction	Describes how the adapter functions and how to use it.
2	IMS Overview and Mapping Concepts	Provides an overview of IMS concepts and procedures for mapping IMS structures to FOCUS.
3	Creating FOCUS Descriptions	Describes requirements for FOCUS Master Files, FOCPSBs, and Access Files.
4	Reporting Efficiencies	Discusses advanced reporting topics such as optimization of screening conditions and the JOIN command.
5	Environments	Describes the environments available with the adapter and provides sample CLISTs and JCL for invoking the adapter.
6	Security	Describes IMS security.
A	Sample File Descriptions	Contains sample Master Files, FOCPSBs, DBDs, and PSBs used in the examples included throughout this manual.
B	Tracing Adapter Processing	Describes IMS and adapter trace facilities.
C	Release Dependent Adapter Features	Explains adapter environmental commands. it Also describes techniques that were different in prior FOCUS Releases and are still supported.
D	Installation Instructions	Contains installation instructions.
E	Interface Errors and Messages	Lists Interface messages and includes a discussion of common user errors.
F	Glossary	Contains a glossary of standard terminology.

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.

Terminology

The following summarizes standard terminology used throughout this manual:

SQL refers to the Structured Query Language.
RDBMS is a generic term for DB2, DB2 for VM, Teradata, Oracle, or CA-IDMS (with the SQL option). Where necessary, they are treated separately.
Table is a generic term for an RDBMS table or view.
Data Adapter refers any one or more of the data adapter products. Where necessary, the data adapters are treated separately.
Primary key refers to the column or columns that uniquely identify a row in a table. Used together, the terms primary key and foreign key refer to the columns that relate two tables. In either case, they do not refer to primary and foreign keys as defined in SQL CREATE TABLE statements (RDBMS referential integrity) unless explicitly stated.
TABLE request refers to a FOCUS report request.
Report request refers to a FOCUS report request or Direct SQL Passthru report request.
FOCEXEC refers to a FOCUS procedure or Direct SQL Passthru procedure.

Customer Support

Do you have any questions about this product?

Join the Focal Point community. Focal Point is our online developer center and more than a message board. It is an interactive network of more than 3,000 developers from almost every profession and industry, collaborating on solutions and sharing tips and techniques. Access Focal Point at http://forums.informationbuilders.com/eve/forums.

You can also access support services electronically, 24 hours a day, with InfoResponse Online. InfoResponse Online is accessible through our website, 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.

Call the 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 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 number (xxxx.xx) when you call.

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 effectively, be prepared to provide the following information when you call:

Your six-digit site code (xxxx.xx).
The stored procedure (preferably with line numbers) .
The Master File and Access 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
- ? TSO DDNAME
The exact nature of the problem:
- Are the results or the format incorrect? Are the text or calculations missing or misplaced?
- Provide the error message and return 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, your security system, communications protocol, or front-end software 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 Technical Content Management staff welcomes your opinions regarding this document. Please use the Reader Comments form at the end of this document to communicate your feedback to us or to suggest changes that will support improvements to our documentation. You can also contact us through our website http://documentation.informationbuilders.com/connections.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 website (http://education.informationbuilders.com) or call (800) 969-INFO to speak to an Education Representative.