System Commands Grouped by Category

This document is a summary of Natural system commands grouped by category.

Navigating in Natural

Command Brief Description
FIN Terminates a Natural session.
LAST Displays the system commands that were last executed, and allows you to execute them again.
LOGOFF Causes the library ID to be set to SYSTEM and the Adabas password to be set to blanks. The contents of the source program work area are not affected by this command.
LOGON Establishes a library ID for the user. In the specified library, all source or object programs saved during the session will be stored (unless you explicitly specify another library ID in a SAVE, CATALOG or STOW command).
RETURN Returns to a return point set by a SETUP command.
SETUP Establishes a return point to which control can be returned using a RETURN command. This allows you to easily transfer from one application to another during a Natural session.

Natural Development Environment

Command Brief Description
COMPOPT Sets compilation options that affect the way in which Natural objects are compiled.
GLOBALS Changes the settings of Natural session parameters.
HELP Invokes the Natural help system.
KEY Assigns functions to keys to be used in your Natural session.
LAST Displays the system commands that were last executed, and allows you to execute them again.
LIST XREF Displays all active cross-reference data for the current library.

(Only available if Predict is installed.)
SYSEXT Invokes the SYSEXT utility with Natural application programming interfaces.
SYSEXV Invokes the SYSEXV utility with examples of the new features of the current Natural versions and debugging hints.
SYSFILE Displays work and print files information.
SYSPROD Displays a list of the products installed at your site, and information on these products.
SYSPROF Displays the current definitions of the Natural system files.
UPDATE Prevents database updating being carried out by a program.
XREF Controls the use of the Predict function "active cross-references". This function automatically creates documentation in Predict about the objects which a program/data area references.

(Only available if Predict is installed.)

Managing Applications with Natural Objects

Command Brief Description
CATALL Catalogs (compiles) all objects or selected objects in the current library.
CATALOG Catalogs (compiles) the source code currently in the editor work area, and if the syntax has been found to be correct, stores the resulting cataloged object in the Natural system file.
CHECK Checks that the source code currently in the editor work area does not contain any syntax errors.

Syntax checking is also performed as part of the system commands RUN, CATALL, CATALOG and STOW.

CLEAR

Clears the contents of the editor work area.

EDIT Opens an editor to create or modify source code.
EXECUTE Executes a cataloged (compiled) program that has been stored as a cataloged object in the Natural system file.
INPL Invokes the INPL utility. It is only used for the loading of Software AG installation data sets into the system files.
LIST Lists one or more objects contained in the current library or the contents of the editor work area.
PURGE Deletes one or more source objects from the current library.
READ Transfers a source object from the Natural system file to the editor work area.
RENAME Changes the name of an object or the name and the type of an object.
RENUMBER Renumbers the source code currently in the editor work area.
RUN Compiles and executes the source program currently in the work area of the editor.
SAVE Stores the source code currently in the editor work area as a source object in the Natural system file.
SCAN Searches for a character string within a source with the option to replace the string.
SCRATCH Deletes a source object and/or the corresponding cataloged object from the current library.
STOW Catalogs (compiles) and stores source code as both a source object and a cataloged object in the current Natural system file.
STRUCT Performs structural indentation of a program source and helps detecting structural inconsistencies.
SYSDDM Creates and maintains Natural data definition modules (DDMs).
SYSERR Creates and maintains the messages you wish your Natural applications to display to the users.
SYSLVERS List objects which have been cataloged within a selected Natural version range.
SYSMAIN Transfers Natural objects within the Natural system from one library to another.
SYSNCP Creates and maintains the command processors to be used in your Natural applications.
SYSOBJH Processes Natural and non-Natural objects for distribution in Natural environments.
SYSRPC Invokes the SYSRPC utility to create and maintain remote procedure calls, that is, provides the settings necessary to execute a subprogram located on a remote server.
SYSWIZDB Invokes the Natural Data Browser, a development tool wizard within Natural Studio. It enables you to display and print or store file structures.
SYSWIZDW Invokes the Natural Dialog Wizard, a tool for creating dialogs for specific purposes. The defined dialogs can have several layouts that adapt to desired requirements.
UNCATALOG Deletes one or more cataloged objects in the current library.
WHICH Lists objects in the libraries used at run time in the Library Search Order.

Monitoring, Debugging and Tracing

Command Brief Description
DEBUG This command is used to invoke the Natural debugger.
HELP Invokes the Natural help system.
LASTMSG Displays additional information on the error situation which occurred last.
RPCERR Displays the last Natural error number and message if related to Natural RPC (Remote Procedure Call), and the last EntireX Broker reason code and associated message. 
TECH Displays technical and other information on your Natural session.

Natural with Other Software AG Products

The following system commands are only available in connection with other Software AG products installed at your site:

Product Command Brief Description
Natural Security MAIL Invokes a mailbox to modify its contents and/or expiration date. A mailbox is used as a notice board to broadcast messages to Natural users.
PROFILE Displays the security profile currently in effect. This profile informs you of the conditions of use in effect for you in your current Natural environment.
Predict LIST XREF Displays all active cross-reference data for the current library.
XREF Controls the use of the Predict function "active cross-references". This function automatically creates documentation in Predict about the objects which a program/data area references.