Concepts of Comparison

This document covers the following topics:


Functional Scope

The following Predict objects and external objects can be compared:

Predict Object External Object
File

DDM
Adabas File
DB2 Tables and Views
Oracle Tables and Views

Database

Adabas Database
DB2 Database

Storagespace DB2 Storagegroup
Dataspace

DB2 Tablespace
SQL/DS Dataspace

If comparison functions find differences between an external object and its corresponding documentation object, either the implementation or the documentation can be changed to restore consistency.

Actions to restore consistency are either performed by the Predict comparison function or have to be executed manually. The following actions can be executed by Predict comparison functions:

  • Update
    Update documentation objects according to external objects.

  • Reset
    Reset the Modified after generation flag for documentation objects that do not differ from corresponding external objects. See Resetting the Modified after generation Flag below.

The following actions must be executed manually:

  • Generate
    Generate a new external object from the documentation object.

  • Disconnect
    Disconnect the external object and the documentation object.

  • Purge
    Purge the external object or the documentation object.

Resetting the Modified after generation Flag

The Modified after generation flag of Predict objects indicates if a Predict object has been changed after an external object was generated from it.

With Predict file objects of type A, separate Modified after generation flags are set for changes to file attributes and changes to the field list of the file.

If compare functions find that a Modified after generation flag is set for a Predict object that does not differ from the external object, the flag is reset.

Modified after generation flags are reset if the respective check options of the compare function are activated:

  • When comparing Adabas files, the Modified after generation flags for file attributes and for field lists can be reset separately. Predict evaluates the check options File attributes and Fields.

  • For all other object types, only one Modified after generation flag is set. All check options must be set to Y if the flag is to be reset.

Format of Reports Created by Comparison Functions

When attributes of documentation and external objects differ, the attribute values of documentation objects are reported first and the information on external objects is indented, together with a brief description of the difference.

Calling Comparison Functions

The following topics are covered below:

General Prerequisites for Comparison Functions

Predict objects and external objects to be compared must be connected. See the section Handling of External and Documentation Objects in this documentation.

Note:
There is one exception: If Adabas Online Services are not installed, implemented Adabas files and Predict file objects of type A can be compared even if they are not connected.

A variety of Adabas attributes can only be compared if Adabas version 6 or above is used and Adabas Online Services are installed.

Check, List, and Update Options

When comparing external objects and Predict objects, the following options determine the scope of the operation:

  • Check Options
    Determine how attributes are to be compared. If check options are not set, compare functions will not reset the Modified after generation flag. See Resetting the Modified after generation Flag.

  • List Options
    Determine the scope of results of the comparison to be displayed.

  • Update Options
    Determine which attributes of the Predict object are to be updated if differences were found.

The options available depend on the object type. All options are described in detail with the respective object type later in this documentation.