This tab corresponds to the Data Element Description.
This tab is used to provide the full description of a Data Element by assigning explanatory text as well as values or ranges of possible values and their meaning.
It is also used to complement the description by providing specific information which will be exploited where the Data Element is used (screen labels and format, relational databases name...).
Each value or range of values is entered as a code and a label; this label will be used in user documentation. The values or ranges may be used in the Data Element validation process, if desired, in batch and on-line programs.
Characteristics specific to On-Line Systems Development and Pacbench C/S:
When using a Data Element in a Screen, a Short Label, a Column Label, a sample value and possibly an on-line format can be defined at this level, if necessary.Delimiters of Data Element labels may be parameterized. The delimiter default value may then be overridden if it is used in the given label. A delimiter is required for the column label but optional for the short label.
Conversational Formats: In on-line programs, the format used for unprotected (variable) Data Elements is calculated by the system, as an expanded version of the internal format. For protected fields, VA Pac will use the output format. However you may override these formats by specifying a conversational format.For dates, the symbolic date formats may be used.
Operation and Action codes: their values and the corresponding internal values may be indicated here.
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
blank | Value and/or description line. With a blank line type, descriptive text is assigned to the Data Element. This text includes all possible values and what they mean. |
D | Data Element default value One of the values entered can be referenced as the default value. When the value ’D’ is entered on the Segment Call of Elements ('-CE Lines' tab), this value is assigned as the initial value. |
Special types for the On-Line Systems Development, Pacbench C/S and Pactables functions | |
P | Data Element presentation value The sample value is entered in the Description field. This value is used when simulating a screen for documentary purposes. |
L | Data Element short label Maximum length: 18 characters.
Note: This
length may be shortened by explicitly entering a delimiter (see description
of the Allowed values field). Default delimiter is
’£’.
|
C | Column label The Column Label is defined on a single
line but may use up to three lines. A delimiter in the Column Label indicates
a line skip. The Column Label length is that of its longest line. Maximum
length = 18 characters, including delimiters. A Column Label must be delimited
by at least one delimiter (default = ’/’).
Note: To change the default delimiter,
enter its value left-justified in the Allowed values field
(refer to the description of this field).
|
F | Conversational format For Data Elements used in input and output in online programs. If no conversational format is defined, VA Pac recognizes the extended internal format or the output format, depending on the nature of the Data Element in the Screen. For Date Data Elements, enter the one-character symbolic value that represents the desired format, in the Allowed values field. VA Pac displays the format in the Description field. For other Data Elements, enter the desired output format in the 'Text' field. For numeric Data Elements, a Blank when zero clause may be obtained by entering Z after the format entered in the Description field. |
O | Declaration of the operation code values. Note: See
also the More field, (Skip or Action
code), and refer to the ’On-Line Systems Development’ Manual and
to the ’Pacbench C/S: Business Logic and TUI Clients’ Manual (chapter TUI
Client).
|
I | Declaration of the action code values. Note: See
also the More field, (Skip or Action
code), and refer to the ’On-Line Systems Development’ Manual and
to the ’Pacbench C/S: Business Logic and TUI Clients’ Manual (chapter TUI
Client).
|
Special types for Relational Databases | |
R | This value generates the Data Element’s relational name
on 18 characters, which is entered in the Description field. The
relational name of a parent Data Element is not carried forward to the child
Data Element.
Note: With TurboImage, this field generates an Item name different
from the Data Element code. In this case only the first 16 characters are
recognized.
|
E | This value allows you to input non-standard date format
in the Description field. The format indicated on the Data Element format tab must be X(n), with n < 28 (or n < 15 for an ORACLE Database for the automatic management of dates in the On-Line Systems Development function or the Pacbench C/S function). This
format is taken into account:
VA Pac only controls the elements of the format, and not the way you put them together (ex: MD will be rejected but MMMMMM and YY-DD/MM will be accepted). |
Type specific to Data Elements coming from Reverse Engineering | |
S | The COBOL data-name(s) of the associated Reverse Data Elements are generated in the Description field. |
Cobol Copybooks | |
A | For COPYBOOKS, when a variant Data Element is being used as an alias-type Data Element, the Description field contains the Segment code of the Segment in which the parent Data Element is called. |
Adabas Database | |
A | For a Data Element used in an Adabas Database. This enables you to enter the values for the generation of the Format-Buffer. |
List of Turboimage classes | |
T | Values of the TurboImage class list. |
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
Skip | |
blank or 1 | New line |
2 | 1 blank line + 1 new line. |
3 to 9 | 2 to 8 blank lines + 1 new line. |
Continuation of value | |
+ | This value indicates a continuation of a value range if it cannot fit on a single line |
Action (OLSD function and Pacbench
C/S TUI Clients) Two categories of values accoding to the selected Type of line |
|
With a Type of line set to I | |
C | Creation |
M | Modification |
D | Deletion |
X | Mod-4 (implicit update). |
With a Type of line set to O | |
A | Display |
M | Update |
S | Next screen |
E | End of session |
P | Same page |
O | Call of another screen |
These values undergo automatic validation if they are entered as either numeric or alphanumeric literals (quotes for the latter),
If the description of a value calls for several lines, the value must be entered on the first line.
The values assigned to a parent Data Elements are automatically assigned to each one of its child Data Elements.
Value | Meaning |
---|---|
Values specific to the OLSD and Pacbench C/S functions | |
*9 | Numeric Data Element. This causes a COBOL NOT NUMERIC check to be generated. |
*B | Numeric Data Element: Leading blanks are replaced with zeros. |
*Z | Numeric Data Element: All blanks are replaced with zeros. |
*A | Alphabetic Data Element: checks that all characters are alphabetic. |
*L | Alphabetic Data Element: checks that all characters are lowercase alphabetic. |
*U | Alphabetic Data Element: checks that all characters are uppercase alphabetic. |
With a Type of line set to F | |
I | Without century (picture x(6)): YYMMDD |
S | With century (picture x(8)): CCYYMMDD |
D | Without century (picture x(6)): MMDDYY or DDMMYY depending on the value entered in the Generated date format field on the Library Definition tab. |
C | With century (picture x(8)): MMDDCCYY or DDMMCCYY depending on the value entered in the Generated date format field on the Library Definition tab. |
G | With century (picture x(10)): CCYY-MM-DD in a Gregorian format. |
E | Without century (picture x(8)): MM/DD/YY or DD/MM/YY |
M | With century (picture x(10)): MM/DD/CCYY or DD/MM/CCYY |
With a Type of line set to C Enter the delimiter for the end of each column label line (left-justified). Default value is ’/’. |
|
With a Type of line set to L Enter the delimiter for the end of the short label, (left-justified). Default value is ’£’. |
|
With a Type of line set to O or I When
setting the value of the Operation and/or Action Codes via an element on the
screen, enter the value that corresponds to the specific operation or action.
Note: These
values correspond to the internal operation and action codes as entered in
the More field
|
Enter $OFF or $ON to exclude or include the Data Element from a print
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