Encoded objects

The form and prompted query objects are exported and imported in an encoded format, which is a format that translates an object to a tabular structure. The encoded format helps you manipulate individual parts of an object more easily. The report objects are also exported in an encoded format; however, reports cannot be imported.

The encoded format of a form, report, or prompted query (relational or entity-relationship) consists of the following records:

• Fixed format records: Header records (H) (see page***)
• Variable format records
  • Data value records (V) (see pageData value records (V))
  • Data table description records (T) (see pageData table description records (T)
  • Table row records (R) (see pageTable row records (R))
  • End of object record (E) (see pageEnd-of-object record (E))

An application data record, denoted by an asterisk (*), can be used by application programs to store information and comments associated with the object in the exported file. See Application data record (*) for details.

In addition to the preceding records, an exported report can contain the following records:

• Report line records (L) (see pageReport line records (L))
• Data continuation records (C) (see pageData continuation records (C))

For specifications about the exported files, data sets, or CICS data queues, see Specifications for externalized QMF objects.