Choosing an object name

An object name is optional in a command synonym. When you do use an object name, however, ensure users specify both the verb and the object name; otherwise, QMF cannot find a match in the synonym table. Entries in the OBJECT column must follow these rules:

• Must be 1 to 18 characters long.
• Must conform to the rules for naming DB2 tables.
• Must be surrounded by double quotes if the object name has blanks or other special characters. (Both QMF and the database manager remove the double quotes when the name is processed.)

The following examples show valid and invalid objects.

Valid Objects:

Invalid Objects:

PFKEYS

80CAT (first character is numeric)

MONTH_2_REPORT

ADJ%AGE (% not allowed)

"User x"."Net Sales"

JANUARY__PRODUCTIVITY (over 18 characters)

"Net Sales"

JONES GROSS (double quotes required for blanks)

If you are using fully qualified table names: Object names can look like fully qualified table names; this is consistent with the QMF language. However, QMF objects other than tables cannot be referenced by three-part names. For example, the object name in the following QMF command has a fully qualified table name:

DISPLAY FORM.BACKUP