Working with Data Maintenance Transactions

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# Working with Data Maintenance Transactions

This section describes how to perform the data maintenance functions available in Super Natural.

This section covers the following topics:

- What are Data Maintenance Transactions?

- Listing Transactions

- Adding Data Maintenance Transactions

- Adding Data

- Updating Data

- Deleting Data

## What are Data Maintenance Transactions?

Data maintenance transactions are transactions which you can use to perform the data maintenance functions `Add`, `Update` and `Delete`. The type of data maintenance function you perform depends on the setting of your data maintenance mode Report Type.

You cannot use data maintenance transactions to modify field definitions or add new fields.

Data maintenance transactions are intended for use with your user files only. Do not perform data maintenance functions on database files without asking your Super Natural administrator.

The Super Natural administrator decides whether you may perform data maintenance, on which files and at which level.

Note
Data maintenance transactions can use primary and secondary files, but not lookup files.

If you set the transaction mode Logging to "Y", you can write a report containing the data that has been processed in a data maintenance transaction to a printer, the Natural program editor. For further information, see Defining Transaction Modes for Data Maintenance.

## Listing Transactions

To obtain a list of transactions

- Select the object Transactions from the Menu.

  Or:
  Issue the `TRANSACTION` command.

  The List Transactions screen appears.

  The Transaction List screen functions in the same way as all object list screens in Super Natural. For general information on how to use object list screens, see Object List Screens in Starting Up.

  The List Transactions screen lists both reporting and data maintenance transactions.

## Adding Data Maintenance Transactions

To add a data maintenance transaction

1. Enter a new transaction name in the Name column of the List Transactions screen in the input field next to the Add field.

   Or:
   Issue the `ADD TRANSACTION name` command.

   The Add Transaction window appears.

   Note
   You can use the `CHECKLIST` function and the `NEXT` function to help you add and modify data maintenance transactions. For further information, see Using Super Natural.

        17:24                      ***** Super Natural *****                08.Jan.1998
        SN1110                       - Transaction List -                        Friday

        Cmd  Name     Descript +-------------------Add Transaction--------------------+
             DATMAN_           !                                                      !
         __           ________ ! Transaction ID .... DATMAN_                          !
         __           ________ ! Description ....... ______________________________   !
         __           ________ !                     ______________________________   !
         __           ________ !                                                      !
         __           ________ ! File name ......... ________________________________ !
         __           ________ !                                                      !
         __           ________ ! Modify modes ...... _                                !
         __           ________ ! Data maintenance .. N (Y/N)                          !
         __           ________ !                                                      !
         __           ________ +------------------------------------------------------+

2. Type a new transaction name in the Transaction ID field if no name is present.

3. Modify or delete the transaction description if you wish.

4. If you know the name of the file on which you want to perform data maintenance, enter it in the Enter File Name field.

   The file you choose here is called your primary file.

5. If you don't know the name of the file you want to use, enter an asterisk (`*`) and the File Selection List window appears.

6. Mark the Modify Modes field to invoke the Modify Data Maintenance Modes window.

   You can use the Modify Data Maintenance Modes window to modify the default modes for the current transaction only. The modes govern the basic conditions under which the transaction runs. For further information on data maintenance modes, see Defining Transaction Modes for Data Maintenance.

   If you don't mark the Modify Modes field, you continue to add the transaction using your default modes.

7. Enter `Y` (Yes) in the Data Maintenance field, to add a data maintenance transaction.

8. Press Enter.

        17:30                      ***** Super Natural *****                08.Jan.1998
        SN1110                       - Transaction List -                        Friday

        Cmd  Name     Descript + +----------------File Selection List-----------------+
             *______           ! !     File Name                         Access  Info !
         __  CONNECT  Report T ! !  _  UF-SBE-EMPLOYEE-DATA                F      _   !
         __  CONTROL  control  ! !  _  UF-SBE-NEW                          F      _   !
         __  DATACH   (92-11-1 ! !  _  UF-SBE-SUMMARY                      F      _   !
         __  DATACH2  (92-11-1 ! !  _  UF-SBE-USER-FILE-RECORDS            F      _   !
         __  DATACH3  Destinat ! !  _  UF-SBE-USERFILEV                    F      _   !
         __  DATA2    data mai ! !  _  UF-SBE-USERFILE1                    F      _   !
         __  DATA3    data mai ! !  _  UF-SBE-YACHT                        F      _   !
         __  DATA4    data mai ! !  _  FINANCE                             D      _   !
         __  DATA5    data mai ! !  _  GB-PERSONNEL                        D      _   !
         __  DATA6    data mai + !  _  KEDB2                               D      _   !
         __  DDM1     SAG ch pri !  _  KEFINANCE                           D      _   !
         __  DDM2     SAG compan !  _  KEPERS                              D      _   !
        Add  datman_             !  _  MITARBEITER                         D      _   !
                                 !                                                    !
        Cmd(s): Modify, Execute, +More:   +-------------------------------------------+

   If you have marked the File Name field with an asterisk (`*`), the File Selection List window appears as in the following example:

   The File Selection List window only displays the files you can use for the transaction type specified. For example, if transaction type DELETE is specified, only the files with access codes `D` or `F` are presented for selection.
   The file access codes in the Access column indicate your access level to each file as follows:

   File Access Code | Description
   --- | ---
   U | Update (includes read). You can update existing records to this file.
   A | Add (includes update). You can add new records to this file.
   D | Delete (includes add). You can delete records in this file.
   * | This file is being deleted. Access is not possible.
   S | Superfile. For further information on superfiles, see Defining Files.
   F | User file. All data maintenance functions are available (read, add, update and delete). For further information on user files, see Working with User Files.

9. Choose your primary file.

10. Mark the Information column to obtain an extended file description from the data dictionary Predict. This feature is only available at sites where Predict is installed.

    No dictionary information is available for user files.

11. Press Enter.

    What happens now is dependent on the Transaction Type specified. The four different Transaction Types for data maintenance are described in the following sections.

## Adding Data

To add data

1. Add a data maintenance transaction of Transaction Type `ADD`.

   The following version of the Worksheet appears:

        17:33                      ***** Super Natural *****                08.Jan.1998
        SN3011                           - Worksheet -                           Friday

        Ref DB    Field Name                         Seq   Opt  Func Def  Info Del
        BB        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __
        BC        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __
        BD        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __
        BE        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __
        BF        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __
        BG        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __
        BH        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __
        BI        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __
        BJ        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __
        BK        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __
        BL        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __
        BM        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __
        BN        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __
        BO        ________________________________   ___   ___   __   __   __   __

        Enter "*" in Fieldname column to select fields or enter NEXT
        Command ===>
        Enter-PF1---PF2---PF3---PF4---PF5---PF6---PF7---PF8---PF9---PF10--PF11--PF12---
              Help  Next  Exit        Incl  Flip  -     +           Sel   Run   Canc

   The Worksheet contains the following columns specific to Report Types `ADD`, `UPDATE SINGLE` and `UPDATE MULTIPLE:`

2. In the Sequence column number the fields to which you want to add data.

3. In the Option column enter one of the following codes for each field marked in the Selection column:

   Code | Description
   --- | ---
   R | Indicates a required field. You must supply a value for a required field.
   C | Indicates that the contents you add to this field will be copied to the next record. (Transaction Type `ADD` only)
   D | Indicates that the field will be displayed for information only, you may not update it. If you leave this column blank, you can choose whether you want to update the field when it is displayed. (Transaction Types `UPDATE` `SINGLE` and `UPDATE MULTIPLE`) or whether you want to add a value to it (Transaction Type `ADD`).

   The other columns function as described in the section The Worksheet earlier in this documentation.

   When you have finished making entries on the Worksheet, you can specify logical conditions, calculation or file linking if you wish. You cannot specify selection criteria.

4. Issue the `RUN` command.

   The fields you have chosen in the Sequence column of the Worksheet are displayed. You can now supply your own values.

   Before you supply your own value, the fields are filled with map filling characters . Map filling characters allow you to distinguish between alphanumeric and numeric fields. They also indicate field length. You can define which characters you want to use as map filling characters by changing your transaction option Map Filling Character. For further information, see Adjusting a User Profile. The recommended characters are the underscore (_) for alphanumeric and the full stop ( . ) for numeric fields.

   When you add data, the occurrences of multiple-value fields and periodic groups are presented in separate records. This is called flattening records. For further information on flattening, see Transaction Options in Adjusting a User Profile.

5. To add data, type in a value (overtype the map filling characters).

6. Press Enter or PF3.

   If you have assigned a value to a field in the Calculation Editor, the value you assigned does not appear but overrides any entries you make for the field here.

   The following is an example of the output for an `ADD` transaction:

        17:39:21                                                             1998-01-08
        IDATMAN                                                                0

        TITLE .......................... ____________________
        SURNAME ........................ ____________________
        FIRST-NAME-1 ................... ____________________

        Enter-PF1---PF2---PF3---PF4---PF5---PF6---PF7---PF8---PF9---PF10--PF11--PF12---
                          Exit        Add   Flip                                Canc

## Updating Data

You can use two transaction types to update data: `UPDATE SINGLE` and `UPDATE MULTIPLE`.

When you update data, the occurrences of multiple-value fields and periodic groups are presented in separate records. This is called flattening records. For further information on flattening, see Transaction Options in Adjusting a User Profile.

Note
You cannot update subfields (redefined database fields defined in the Define User Field window).

### Displaying Single Records

To update data displaying records singly

1. Add a data maintenance transaction of Transaction Type `UPDATE SINGLE`.

   The version of the Worksheet specific to Report Types `ADD`, `UPDATE SINGLE` and `UPDATE MULTIPLE` appears. This version of the Worksheet is described in the section Adding Data.

2. Make your entries on the Worksheet.

3. Specify selection criteria.

4. Specify logical conditions or calculation, file linking and lookup if you wish.

5. Issue the `RUN` command.

   The records found are displayed consecutively. The fields for each record are displayed vertically and may cover more than one screen.

6. To update a record, overtype the current entries.

7. To display the next record, press Enter.

   The following is an example of the output for an `UPDATE SINGLE` transaction:

        17:46:59  SURNAME                                                    1998-01-08
        IDATMAN2                                                               0

        SURNAME ........................ HOLLY
        PERSON-ID ...................... 0.......
        SEX ............................
        BIRTH-DATE ..................... 0

        Enter-PF1---PF2---PF3---PF4---PF5---PF6---PF7---PF8---PF9---PF10--PF11--PF12---
                          Exit        Updt  Flip        +                       Canc

### Displaying Multiple Records

To update data displaying multiple records

1. Add a data maintenance transaction of Transaction Type `UPDATE MULTIPLE`.

   This transaction type is only available for Adabas files.

   You cannot number multiple-value fields and periodic group fields in the Sequence column of the Worksheet.

   The main difference between this transaction type and `UPDATE SINGLE` is the way the records are presented for updating.

   The following is an example of output for an `UPDATE MULTIPLE` transaction:

        18:21:47  YACHT-ID                                                   1998-09-07
        IMUSTER0                                                               0

          YACHT-ID  YACHT-NAME                     Y ID-CH-BA ID-S-OWNE DID-DESC
        _ 1         ANTIGONE______________________ A 21______ 0........ ________
        _ 2         EDELWEISS_____________________ A 21______ 0........ ________
        _ 3         HELENA________________________ A 21______ 0........ ________
        _ 4         MEDEA_________________________ A 21______ 0........ ________
        _ 5         ATLANTIC OCEAN________________ A 24______ 0........ ________
        _ 6         SYSTEM FUNCTION_______________ A 21______ 0........ ________
        _ 7         ATHENE________________________ A 24______ 0........ ________
        _ 8         PANDORA_______________________ A 21______ 0........ ________
        _ 9         APHRODITE_____________________ A 21______ 0........ ________
        _ 10        ANDROMEDA_____________________ A 21______ 0........ ________
        _ 11        CIRCE_________________________ A 21______ 0........ ________
        _ 12        PENTHESILEA___________________ A 24______ 0........ ________
        _ 13        HAITI_________________________ A 25______ 0........ ________
        _ 14        ATLANTIS______________________ A 21______ 0........ ________
        _ 15        BREAKDANCE____________________ A 24______ 0........ ________
        _ 16        JAMAIKA_______________________ A 25______ 0........ ________

        Enter-PF1---PF2---PF3---PF4---PF5---PF6---PF7---PF8---PF9---PF10--PF11--PF12---
                          Exit        Updt  Flip        +                       Cancel

   If the line length of this horizontal display is not sufficient, you can mark records to be updated in the first column to invoke vertical display as in transaction type `UPDATE SINGLE`.

2. To update records, overtype the current entries.

3. Press PF5 to save your changes.

   The records are updated and the next page is displayed.

## Deleting Data

### Deleting Records Singly

To delete data

1. Add a data maintenance transaction of Transaction Type `DELETE`.

   The Worksheet appears as described in the section Worksheet.

2. Continue to add a transaction which selects all the records you want to delete.

   The fields you select to be displayed allow you to review each record before deletion.

3. Specify logical conditions, calculation or file linking if you wish.

4. Issue the `RUN` command.

   Each record is presented separately for review.

5. To continue to the next record without deleting, press Enter or PF8 (page one page forwards).

6. To delete a record, press PF3 (delete).

   The entire record is deleted, not just the fields selected for display. Only the records displayed are deleted.

### Deleting the Contents of a User File

You can delete all the records in a user file using the `Delete User File Data Only` function described in the section User Files.

### On this page

- What are Data Maintenance Transactions?
- Listing Transactions
- Adding Data Maintenance Transactions
- Adding Data
- Updating Data
- Deleting Data