TF - Translation of Database ID/File Number

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# TF - Translation of Database ID/File Number

This Natural profile parameter can be used to translate a database ID/file number into another database ID/file number during the execution of an application. It corresponds to the macro `NTTF` in the Natural parameter module.

Possible settings | See TF Parameter Syntax.
Default setting | none |
Dynamic specification | yes | This parameter can only be specified dynamically. In the Natural parameter module, the macro `NTTF` is used instead.
Specification within session | no |
Application programming interface | `USR1034N` | See SYSEXT - Natural Application Programming Interfaces in the Utilities documentation. * Recommended.
`USR2005N` *

Notes:

1. This parameter applies to user files only. It does not apply to system files.

2. This feature is relevant when developing an application in a production environment. It enables you to develop an application in a test database and then transfer the finished application to the production database without having to change or re-compile the application. The Natural objects are cataloged with the production DBID/FNR, but whenever a database access is executed, the production DBID/FNR is translated into the test DBID/FNR according to the `TF` parameter specifications; that is, the test database is used. This means that testing can take place in the actual production environment, but not with production data.

3. The `TF` parameter or the `NTTF` macro can be specified several times so as to specify different combinations of file numbers.

   If multiple `TF` parameters are specified, the following applies:

   - The list of `TF` definitions is searched in the sequence they are defined. The first entry that exactly matches in DBID and FNR (no asterisk) is used.

   - If no exact match is found, the `TF` definitions are searched for a second time. This time, the first wildcard entry (either DBID or FNR is an asterisk) that matches is used.

The following topics are covered below:

- TF Parameter Syntax

- NTTF Macro Syntax

- Example of TF Parameter

- Example of NTTF Macro

## TF Parameter Syntax

The `TF` profile parameter is specified as follows:

TF=(production-dbid,production-fnr,test-dbid,test-fnr)

Where:

Syntax Element | Value | Explanation
--- | --- | ---
`production-dbid` | `0 - 254` or `256 - 65535` or `*` | Identification of the production database. An asterisk (*) can be used as a wildcard for all database IDs. Note Database ID `255` is reserved for logical system files, see profile parameter `LFILE`.
`production-fnr` | `1 - 65535` or `*` | File number of the production database. An asterisk (*) can be used as a wildcard for all file numbers.
`test-dbid` | `0 - 254` or `256 - 65535` or `*` | Identification of the test database. An asterisk (*) can be used, which leaves the database ID unchanged.
`test-fnr` | `1 - 65535` or `*` | File number of the test database. An asterisk (*) can be used, which leaves the file number unchanged.

## NTTF Macro Syntax

The `NTTF` macro is specified as follows:

             NTTF production-dbid,production-fnr,test-dbid,test-fnr

For explanations of the syntax elements and possible values, see TF Parameter Syntax.

## Example of TF Parameter

    TF=(777,39,17,88),TF=(251,*,9,*)

## Example of NTTF Macro

Equivalent specification in the Natural parameter module:

             NTTF 777,39,17,88
             NTTF 251,*,9,*

### On this page

- TF Parameter Syntax
- NTTF Macro Syntax
- Example of TF Parameter
- Example of NTTF Macro