Creation of XRef Data For Natural

XRef data for Natural is generated in the following cases:

  • Natural writes XRef data for Natural programs and data areas when these are cataloged (provided that the XREF parameter has been set to either ON or FORCE, see below). This does not affect the performance of the program; only the cataloging time is insignificantly extended.

  • Natural Security writes XRef data for programs that are used as Startup, Restart or Error-Transaction in an application or special link if the XREF parameter is set to ON or FORCE in the application's Natural Security definition and a user system file is defined for the application.

  • The Natural Command Processor (NCP) writes XRef data for programs that are used as Startup, Restart or Error-Transaction in an application or special link if the XREF parameter is set to ON or FORCE in the application's NCP definition and a user system file is defined for the application.

  • If Natural for DB2 is installed, the function CREATE DBRM of Natural for DB2 creates XRef data for Natural programs that use static SQL.

The Natural XREF parameter determines whether XRef data is created. Valid values:

ON XRef data is created when a Natural object is cataloged.
OFF XRef data is not created when a Natural object is cataloged.
FORCE A Natural object can only be cataloged if a Predict documentation object exists for it. XRef data is then created when cataloging an object.
DOC A Natural object can only be cataloged if a Predict documentation object exists for it. No XRef data is created.

The parameter XREF also determines how XRef data is treated when processing Natural members with the SYSMAIN, NATUNLD or INPL utilities.

There are different ways to set the Natural XREF parameter:

  • In the Natural parameter module.

  • As a dynamic parameter when starting a Natural session.

  • In Natural Security. If Natural Security has been used to set the XREF parameter, the XREF command may only be used to enforce this setting (from ON to FORCE, from OFF to ON or FORCE).

  • With the Natural XREF command. If Natural Security is not installed, the XREF parameter is usually set with the Natural XREF command. The Natural command XREF ? displays the current setting of the XREF parameter.