Issuing requests through the Direct SQL Passthru facility eliminates the need for Master and Access Files but retains all FOCUS reporting capabilities.

Note: Direct SQL Passthru is not available within MODIFY.

Direct SQL Passthru provides the following advantages:

• Support for native SQL commands, including SQL SELECT statements.

  With Direct SQL Passthru, a storage area is created for the RDBMS-supplied data (answer sets) that result from SELECT statements. Therefore, you can issue SELECT statements.

• Support for all SQL SELECT options.

  You can issue any SELECT syntax supported by the RDBMS, regardless of whether an equivalent FOCUS operation exists. Neither the adapter nor the Direct SQL Passthru facility translates SQL to FOCUS in order to process a request.

  For example, no FOCUS syntax exists that would cause the adapter to generate one SELECT with a UNION or with a subquery. The Direct SQL Passthru facility supports both operations.

• Support for parameter markers in Direct SQL Passthru commands, so you can execute them repeatedly with varying input values.
• An alternative to the SQL Translator.

  Some applications use the SQL Translator to access the RDBMS using an adapter. The Translator translates SQL to FOCUS, and then the adapter uses this FOCUS code to generate SQL that it passes to the RDBMS. The Direct SQL Passthru facility bypasses internal translation and offers a more direct means of accessing the RDBMS.

  The Translator supports one SQL dialect, ANSI standard Level 2 SQL. You can use the Translator to produce reports from any data source that is described to FOCUS (for example, IMS, a FOCUS data source, or the DB2 RDBMS). For more information about the SQL Translator and access to FOCUS data sources, see your FOCUS documentation.

  Note: If your site installed the adapter with the IM parameter set to 0, certain SQL commands will be disabled. Issuing these commands will produce error message FOC1638. You can issue SQL SELECT commands regardless of the IM setting; they are never disabled. Refer to your adapter installation guide for more information.