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# Superfiles

This section covers the following topics:

- What are Superfiles?

- What are Superfile Profiles?

- Listing Superfiles

- Adding Superfiles

- Modifying Superfiles

- Deleting Superfiles

## What are Superfiles?

Superfiles are transactions stored as files. Superfiles are transactions created by the administrator which the user can access from the Superfile Selection List window.

Superfiles reside in a Super Natural library. The name of this library is composed of the prefix for public libraries in the administrator's user profile (default "Z") together with the text string SUPFILE:

    administrator's-public-library- prefixSUPFILE

Note
Only users which have the same public library prefix as the administrator can use superfiles.

You can use the following commands with the object Superfile:

| ADD | MODIFY | COPY | DELETE | INFO | IMPORT | MULTIMOD
Superfile | X | X | X | X |  |  |

#### User Views

You can use superfiles to create logical database views which means that you can limit user access to certain data. For example, you may want users to be able to access certain fields from two files, but not all the fields from both files. You can create a transaction linking the two files, and remove the fields you don't want the users to see. By creating a superfile from the transaction and allowing users to access the superfile but not the original files, you can achieve a degree of data security.

#### Transaction Templates

You can use superfiles as transaction templates which users can use as a basis for their own transactions. You can create a transaction in which files are already linked and complicated or lengthy selection criteria, logical condition processing statements or calculation statements are already entered, thus saving the user time and trouble.

Superfiles which a user is authorized to use appear in the File Selection List window marked with the file access code you defined. Only the superfiles which are applicable to the transaction type selected are displayed. When a user selects a superfile, it is made available to him for modification and subsequent execution as follows:

#### What Users Can Modify in a Superfile

A superfile provides a basis for a transaction, but users can change the following:

- Sort and control fields

- Display fields

- System functions

- Selection criteria

- SQL

- Logical conditions

- Calculations

Modifications which users make to a superfile are only valid for the user transaction they are made in.

#### What Users Cannot Modify in a Superfile

Users cannot modify the fields and the files used in the superfile for their own transaction. Consequently, fields suppressed in a superfile will not be available to the user.

Only the Super Natural administrator can change superfile file specifications.

## What are Superfile Profiles?

Superfile profiles consist of file option settings and a list of the users authorized to use the file.

Note
Superfile options override user options.

For further information on option hierarchy, see User Profile, Option and Adabas Password Hierarchies in Technical Information.

## Listing Superfiles

To obtain a list of existing superfiles

- Issue the `SUPERFILE` command.

  Or:
  Select the object "Superfile" from the Administration Menu.

  The Superfile List screen appears:

       14:37                      ***** Super Natural *****                 1999-05-21
       SBE                           - Superfile List -                          SNMSL
                                                                         More:   - +
                   Cmd  Superfile Name
                        *_______________________________
                    __  SPES-UP
                    __  SUE-SUPER
                    __  SUP-AAA
                    __  SUP-CCC
                    __  SUP-HALLO
                    __  SUP-REP
                    __  SUPER
                    __  SUPER-FILE-DEUF
                    __  SUPER-FILE-DREI
                    __  SUPER-FILE-EINS
                    __  SUPER-FILE-SQL
                    __  SUPER-FILE-UFIL
                    __  SUPER-FILE-WFILE
                   Add  ________________________________
       Cmd(s): Add, Modify, Copy, Delete
       Select one command from list
       Command ===>
       Enter-PF1---PF2---PF3---PF4---PF5---PF6---PF7---PF8---PF9---PF10--PF11--PF12---
             Help        Exit              Flip        +                       Canc

## Adding Superfiles

To add a superfile

1. Add and save the transaction you want to be the basis of your superfile.

2. Invoke the Superfile List screen as described in the previous section.

3. Issue the `ADD SUPERFILE name` command.

   The name can be a 1-32 character value and does not need to be the same as the transaction ID.

   The Add Superfile window appears:

        14:37                      ***** Super Natural *****                 1999-05-21
        SBE                           - Superfile List -                          SNMSL
                                                                          More:   - +
                    Cmd  Superfile Name         +------------Add Superfile------------+
                         *_____________________ !                                     !
                     __  SPES-UP                !  Superfile name                     !
                     __  SUE-SUPER              !    SUPER-NEW_______________________ !
                     __  SUP-AAA                !                                     !
                     __  SUP-CCC                !  Copy from program:                 !
                     __  SUP-HALLO              !                                     !
                     __  SUP-REP                !    Library prefix .. P              !
                     __  SUPER                  !    Library name .... _______        !
                     __  SUPER-FILE-DEUF        !                                     !
                     __  SUPER-FILE-DREI        !    Program prefix .. I              !
                     __  SUPER-FILE-EINS        !    Program name .... _______        !
                     __  SUPER-FILE-SQL         !                                     !
                     __  SUPER-FILE-UFIL        +-------------------------------------+

4. Type the prefix of the library in which the transaction is stored in the Library Prefix field.

5. Type the name of the library in which the transaction is stored in the Library Name field.

6. Type the program prefix of the transaction in the Program Prefix field.

7. Type the ID of the transaction in the Program Name field.

8. Press Enter.

   The Modify Superfile >Options screen appears. You can now set options and authorize users to use the file you have added. For further information, see Modifying Superfiles.

##

To modify a superfile

- Issue the `MODIFY SUPERFILE name` command.

  The Modify Superfile >Options screen appears:

  You can either modify the file options or modify the user list.

For information on navigating between profile setting groups, see Navigating Between Profile Setting Groups in Introduction.

Note
Users must restart their Super Natural sessions before your modifications are valid. Your modifications are valid for all new transactions but not for existing ones.

### Options

Note
Superfile options override user options. For further information on option hierarchy, see User Profile, Option and Adabas Password Hierarchies in Technical Information.

To specify Options

1. Choose `>Options`, the Modify Superfile >Options screen appears.

       18:43                      ***** Super Natural *****                   1999-05-16
                                - Modify File BBFILE >Options -                  SRMFMO

                     _  DDM Check / Display Options

                     _  Database Access

                     _  Replace Superfile Specification

        >Users
        Mark function(s) or select by cursor
        Command ===>
        Enter-PF1---PF2---PF3---PF4---PF5---PF6---PF7---PF8---PF9---PF10--PF11--PF12---
              Help        Exit              Flip                                Canc

2. Mark the group(s) of options you want to modify.

3. Press Enter.

4. Overtype the options you want to modify if you are modifying a superfile.

   Or:
   Type settings if you are adding a superfile and press Enter.

   You modifications/entries are saved.

Note
When you add a superfile the file has no option settings and no user list. The individual file settings which are part of each user profile are valid for users when accessing this superfile if you leave the options settings and/or the user list blank. Otherwise, options set for a superfile in its superfile profile override options set for a it in a user profile.

You can modify the following options:

#### DDM Check / Display Options

Option | Description
--- | ---
DDM Checking on Modify | "Y" indicates that each time a Super Natural-transaction is modified, a check is made to see if the transaction is still consistent with the data definition module (DDM) for the file or files involved. A warning is issued when a user modifies a transaction if the DDM has been changed. "N" indicates that no check is to be made. Any changes made to the DDM since the transaction was created/last modified are ignored. The default is N.
Prefix for Inverse Field Output | Prefix used for files with both fields in regular and inverse format. See Super Natural in Inverse Mode in the Setting up Super Natural documentation. The default value is blank.
Display Occurrences (Multiple Value Field) | The default number of occurrences (i.e. values) that are to be displayed for a field defined as a multiple value field. The default setting is 1.
Display Occurrences (Periodic Group) | The default number of occurrences that are to be displayed for a field contained within a periodic group. The default setting is 1.
Suppress Numeric Sign | "Y"indicates that the sign of a numeric field is to be suppressed on the transaction report. "N" indicates that the signs of numeric fields are not to be suppressed. The default setting is N.
Run Modes Available | "ONLINE" run mode allows users to access the file online. "BATCH" run mode allows users to access the file in batch operation.

#### Database Access

Option | Description
--- | ---
Physical Read Allowed | "Y" indicates that a physical read of an entire file is allowed in the case of a transaction in which the selection criteria specified requires such. "N" indicates that a physical read of an entire file is not allowed. The default setting is Y. This option allows separate settings for online and batch run mode. This option must be "N" for DL/I files.
Non-Descriptor Criteria Allowed | "Y" indicates that a transaction may use selection criteria that contain non-descriptors, i.e., fields that have not been defined as key fields. "N" indicates that the transaction may only use selection criteria comprised of key fields. The default setting is Y. This option allows separate settings for online and batch run mode.
Maximum Number of Criteria | The maximum number of criteria permitted within a transaction . The default setting is 99. This option allows separate settings for online and batch run mode.
Adabas Sorting Allowed | "Y" indicates that the Adabas internal sort feature may be used for a transaction that contains sort criteria comprised of one to three key fields. "N" indicates that the Adabas internal sort feature may not be used. The default setting is Y. This option allows separate settings for online and batch run mode. This option must be "N" for DL/I files.
Buffer/External Sorting Allowed | "Y" indicates that a buffer or external sort feature may be used. "N" indicates that a buffer or external sort feature may not be used. The default setting is Y. This option allows separate settings for online and batch run mode.
Adabas Password | If an Adabas file that is security protected is to be available to Super Natural transactions, the password for the file must be provided. See the Adabas Security documentation for additional information on Adabas security.
Adabas Cipher Code | If an Adabas file that is ciphered is to be available to Super Natural transactions, the cipher code for the file must be provided. See the Adabas Security documentation for additional information on Adabas ciphering.

#### Replace Superfile Specification

You use the `Replace Superfile Specification` function to update the current superfile if you have modified the transaction it uses. The `Replace Superfile Specification` function replaces the transaction on which the superfile is based with the transaction you specify.

When you choose the `Replace Superfile Specification` function, the Replace Superfile Specification window appears:

      14:12                      ***** Super Natural *****                 1995-05-17
                            - Modify File CF-SUPER >Options -                 SRMFMO

                                                +-Replace Superfile Specification--+
                                                !                                  !
                                                !  Superfile name                  !
                  _  DDM Check / Display Option !    CF-SUPER                      !
                                                !                                  !
                  _  Database Access            !  Copy from program:              !
                                                !                                  !
                  _  Replace Superfile Specific !    Library prefix .. E           !
                                                !    Library name .... _______     !
                                                !                                  !
                                                !    Program prefix .. I           !
                                                !    Program name .... _______     !
                                                !                                  !
                                                +----------------------------------+

To replace the superfile transaction specification

1. In the Library Prefix field, type the prefix of the library which contains the transaction with which you want to replace the current superfile specification.

2. In the Library Name field, type the name of the library which contains the transaction with which you want to replace the current superfile specification.

3. In the Program Prefix field, type the program prefix of the transaction with which you want to replace the current superfile specification.

4. In the Program Name field, type the name of the transaction with which you want to replace the current superfile specification.

5. Press Enter.

Note
Existing transactions which use the old version of the superfile are not affected by the `Replace Superfile Specification` function.

### Users

When you choose `>Users`, the Modify Superfile >Users screen appears as in the following example:

     14:39                      ***** Super Natural *****                   1999-05-21
     SBE                  - Modify File SUPER-FILE-SQL >Users -               SRMFMU

                 Cmd  User      Access  Password
                      *_______
                  __  CF          R
                  __  KE          R
                  __
                  __
                  __
                  __
                  __
                  __
                  __
                  __
                  __
                 Add  ________  Add Multiple: _

     >Options
     Cmd(s): Add, Modify, Delete
     Select one command from list
     Command ===>
     Enter-PF1---PF2---PF3---PF4---PF5---PF6---PF7---PF8---PF9---PF10--PF11--PF12---
           Help        Exit              Flip        +                       Canc

The Modify Superfile >Users screen displays the following information:

- Users which are authorized to use the superfile you are modifying

- Code for the data access level the user has for each superfile

- Whether the user has an Adabas password for password protected superfiles.

You use the Modify Superfile >Users screen to link users to (authorize them to use) the superfile you are modifying/adding or to modify or delete existing links.

If you are adding a superfile, the Superfile >Users screen is empty.

#### Adding / Linking Single Users to a Superfile

To add (link) a user to a superfile

1. Issue the `ADD USER name` command.

   The Add/Modify Link to User window appears:

        14:39                      ***** Super Natural *****                 1999-05-21
        SBE                  - Modify File SUPER-FILE-SQL >Users -               SRMFMU

                    Cmd  User      Access  Password       +--Add/Modify Link to User--+
                         *_______                         !                           !
                     __  CF          R                    !  User ID ....... KE______ !
                     mo  KE          R                    !                           !
                     __                                   !  Access ........ R        !
                     __                                   !                           !
                     __                                   !  Password set ..          !
                     __                                   !  Password ...... ________ !
                     __                                   !                           !
                     __                                   +---------------------------+

2. Determine the user's access level to the superfile by typing one of the following codes in the Access field:

   File Access Code | Description
   --- | ---
   R | Read only.
   U | Update (includes read). The user can update existing records in this file. Not available under Natural Security.
   A | Add (includes update). The user can add new records to this file. Not available under Natural Security.
   D | Delete (includes add). The user can delete records in this file.

3. Enter a password in the Password field (optional).

   Users who do not have the same password cannot access transactions in public or common libraries created by this user using this superfile.

   For further information on passwords, see User Profile, Option and Adabas Password Hierarchies in Technical Information.

4. Press Enter.

   The user is now authorized to use the superfile at the access level specified.

#### Adding / Linking Multiple Users to a Superfile

To link multiple users to a superfile

1. Mark the Add Multiple field on the Modify Superfile >User screen.

   The Add/Link Multiple Users window appears:

        14:39                      ***** Super Natural *****                 1999-05-21
        SBE                  - Modify File SUPER-FILE-SQL >Users -               SRMFMU

                    Cmd  User      Access  Password   +----Add/Link Multiple Users----+
                         *_______                     !     User ID  Access  Password !
                     __  CF          R                !     *______                   !
                     __  KE          R                !  _  *******    _     ________ !
                     __                               !  _  A          _     ________ !
                     __                               !  _  AA         _     ________ !
                     __                               !  _  AA1        _     ________ !
                     __                               !  _  AA2        _     ________ !
                     __                               !  _  AA3        _     ________ !
                     __                               !  _  AA4        _     ________ !
                     __                               !  _  AA5        _     ________ !
                     __                               !  _  AA6        _     ________ !
                     __                               !  _  AA7        _     ________ !
                    Add  ________  Add Multiple: c    !  _  AA8        _     ________ !
                                                      !  _  AA9        _     ________ !
        >Options                                      !                               !
        Cmd(s): Add, Modify, Delete                   +More:   +----------------------+
        Mark users for function ADD MULTIPLE

2. Mark each user you want to use the superfile.

3. Type in a superfile access code for each user.

   For further information on superfile access codes, see Adding / Linking Single Users to a Superfile in Superfiles.

4. Type in a password for each superfile (optional).

5. Press Enter.

   The users are now authorized to use the superfile at the access levels specified.

#### Modifying Links to Users

You can modify the access code and Adabas password for users already authorized to use the superfile.

To modify a link to a user

1. Issue the `MODIFY user` command.

   The Add/Modify Link to User window appears.

2. Modify the superfile access code (optional).

   If the Password Set field is marked, a password is already defined for the superfile. You can either change or delete the password.

3. Type a new password in the Password field to change the current password (optional).

   Or:
   Type blanks in the Password field to delete the current password (optional) and press Enter.

   The user is now authorized to use the superfile at the access level specified.

#### Deleting Links to Users

You can delete the link from the superfile to a user, the access code and Adabas password for superfiles the user is already authorized to use.

To delete a superfile from the superfile list

1. Issue the `DELETE user-id` command.

2. Confirm the deletion in the window which appears.

   The user named is no longer authorized to the superfile.

## Deleting Superfiles

To delete a superfile

1. Issue the `DELETE SUPERFILE superfile-name` command.

2. Confirm the deletion in the window which appears.

### On this page

- What are Superfiles?
- What are Superfile Profiles?
- Listing Superfiles
- Adding Superfiles
- Deleting Superfiles