Process Help |
Process Name |
Menu Path |
Link to Command Table |
INPUTD |
Command line only |
Introduction
Creates a file containing a Data Definition only. Such files may be used in subsequent data input and processing functions.
Files, Fields and Parameters
Input Files
Name |
Description |
I/O Status |
Required |
Type |
Output Files
Name |
I/O Status |
Required |
Type |
Description |
OUT |
Output |
Yes |
Table |
File to be created. |
Notes
1. |
The ! character, entered at the FIELDNAME > prompt, normally is used to terminate Data Definition entry. Entered at any other prompt, the ! character has the effect of canceling the entry for the existing fieldname, and dropping control back to the FIELDNAME > prompt. |
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2. |
Within a macro, the Data Definition cannot be terminated by the ! character, as this will terminate the INPFML process; instead another special purpose character (such as [) may be used. |
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3. |
The user is prompted for the following information. |
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> FILE DESCRIPTION > |
Up to 24 character field 'name'. May be upper or lower case text, numbers, or special symbols. Internal blanks in field names should be avoided, and _ / . - used instead. Fields should not start with !, *, & or @, as such names will give rise to syntax problems under some circumstances. |
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> TYPE A/N (N) > |
A for alphanumeric field, N or return for numeric field. |
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> LENGTH (1) > |
Length in characters for alphanumeric fields only. Question omitted for numeric fields. |
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> STORED? (Y) > |
Y or return for explicit fields, N for implicit (file constant) fields. Implicit fields are not supplied in data records. |
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> DEFAULT > |
Default value to replace absent data (in processes which carry out this replacement). Just <return> for blank default value for alphanumeric and zero for numeric fields. For implicit fields the constant values must be entered. |
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The above is repeated for each field until ! entered for NEXT FIELDNAME. Then: |
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> CONFIRM? > |
OK, ok, YES, Y or y to end DD. |
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Example
!INPUTD &OUT(ASSAYDD)
INPUT DATA DESCRIPTION FOR FILE AssayDD .
FILE DESCRIPTION >(2A4,2X,2F8.2,F6.2)<return>
Here a format is stored in the data definition for use in the INPUTF process,
to load data from external files.SUPPLY DETAILS OF FIELDS AS FOLLOWS-
NEXT
FIELDNAME > BHID <return>
FIELD 1 > BHID
---------------------
TYPE A/N(N) > A <return>
> LENGTH (1) > 8 <return>
STORED? (Y) > <return>
> DEFAULT > DUMMY <return>
BHID is an explicit alphanumeric field, 8 characters long, with a default
value of DUMMY.
NEXT
FIELDNAME > FROM <return>
> FIELD 2 > FROM
---------------------
TYPE A/N(N) > <return>
> STORED? (Y) > <return>
>DEFAULT > <return>
NEXT
FIELDNAME > TO <return>
> FIELD 3 > TO
---------------------
TYPE A/N(N) > <return>
STORED? (Y) > <return>
>DEFAULT > <return>
FROM and TO are explicit numeric fields, with zero default values.
NEXT
FIELDNAME > %ASH <return>
> FIELD 4 > %ASH
---------------------
TYPE A/N(N) > <return>
> STORED? (Y) > <return>
>DEFAULT > <return>
%ASH is an explicit numeric field. Because the first character is a special
character (%) then the user is asked if the Data Definition is being terminated.
Because the answer is just<return>, which means NO, then the %ASH
name is accepted.
NEXT
FIELDNAME > DENSITY
<return>
FIELD 5 > DENSITY
---------------------
TYPE A/N(N) > <return>
STORED? (Y) > n <return>
DEFAULT > 2.6 <return>
DENSITY is an implicit numeric field, with a value throughout the file
of 2.6.
NEXT
FIELDNAME > ! <return>
> END OF DD
CONFIRM ? > OK <return>
(Listing of Data Definition)
Error and Warning Messages
Message |
Description |
Solution |
>>> BLANK FIRST CHARACTER IN FIELD NAME - ILLEGAL <<< |
Blank fieldnames are not permitted. If one is entered, the FIELDNAME > prompt is given again. |
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>>> FIELD NAME ALREADY EXISTS - IGNORED <<< |
The same fieldname cannot appear twice in a file; if it does, the FIELDNAME > prompt is given again. |
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>>> MAX FIELDS - DATA DEFINITION TERMINATED <<< |
The maximum number of words occupied by fields is 64. Each numeric field takes 1 word, and each set of 4 characters in an alphanumeric field also takes one word. If the maximum number of words is exceeded, the Data Definition entry will automatically be terminated; any multi-word alphanumeric field being entered at this point may be incomplete. |
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