Creating and describing database files

 

You can create and describe a library and a database file using the traditional system interface.

The system supports several methods for creating and describing a database file:

• Interactive data definition utility (IDDU)

  You can create a database file by using IDDU, part of the WebSphere^® Development Studio for iSeries™ licensed program. If you are using IDDU to describe your database files, you might also consider using it to create your files.

• Control language (CL), using the source entry utility (SEU) or the data file utility (DFU) to specify data description specifications (DDS)

  You can create a database file by using CL. The CL database file create commands are Create Physical File (CRTPF), Create Logical File (CRTLF), and Create Source Physical File (CRTSRCPF). After a database file is created, you can use SEU or DFU to describe data in the file. SEU and DFU are part of the IBM^® WebSphere Development Studio for iSeries licensed program. These topics focus on how to create files using these methods.

• Structured Query Language (SQL)

  You can create and describe a database file (table) by using SQL statements. SQL is the IBM relational database language. It can be used to interactively describe and create database files.

• iSeries Navigator

  You can also create a database file (table) using iSeries Navigator.

• Creating a library
  A library is a system object that serves as a directory to other objects. A library groups related objects and allows you to find objects by name. To create a library, use iSeries Navigator or the Create Library (CRTLIB) command.

• Setting up source files
  You can either create a source file or use an IBM-supplied source file.

• Describing database files
  You can use several methods to describe i5/OS^® database files. This topic discusses how to describe a database file with data description specifications (DDS) because DDS has the most options for defining data.

• Setting up physical files
  A physical file is a description of how data is to be presented to or received from a program and how data is actually stored in the database. A physical file contains one record format and one or more members. You can create and describe a physical file using the traditional system interface.

 

Parent topic:

Setting up database files

 

Related concepts

Creating a table
Getting started with iSeries Navigator
SQL programming
Traditional system interface