Use the data editors to define the database, file information or user interface description data that a program can access. Data is stored as records, tables, program specification blocks (PSBs), and data items.
Record Editor enables you to build and format data structures intended for specific purposes. Using Record Editor, you can easily reformat database information for use in other programs.
Figure 18 shows a record that uses SQL Row format. This record can be defined manually or VisualAge Generator can fill the record with data from an existing SQL table.
Figure 19 shows a record that describes a user interface. Generating a UI Record yields a bean (a Java part) and a default HTML user interface.
For hands-on practice defining records, complete the steps outlined in Part 2, "VisualAge Generator Tutorial".
Use Table Editor to define a collection of related data items that can be used for the following:
Figure 20 shows a sample table.
Use the PSB Editor to add program communication block (PCB) entries to the program specification block (PSB). PSBs describe the hierarchical database structures of your DL/I databases. VisualAge Generator uses PSBs to build and validate DL/I calls for I/O functions that access records in DL/I databases.
Figure 21 shows a sample PSB.
Use the Data Item Editor to create global data items. Data items, both global and local, are units of information defined by data type, length, and other characteristics. You can define global data items that are independent of any record structure or table structure, but changes made to global data items in the Data Item Editor affect all records and tables that use them. Local data items are defined in records and tables.
Figure 22 shows a sample data item displayed in the Data Item Editor.