Overview of File-AID for Db2 object administration

Completely window-driven, File-AID for Db2 Object Administration still incorporates ISPF-like features that you’ll find familiar and easy to use. Based on the Common User Access (CUA) standard, File-AID for Db2 Object Administration is object/action oriented. This approach to software means you, as the user, can focus on what you want to accomplish, not how to do it. If you’re familiar with the CUA standards, you’ll find File-AID for Db2 Object Administration easy to learn. If you’re new to the CUA interface, this space introduces you to it, showing you how using windows makes it simple to navigate the Db2 catalog.

Product facilities

With File-AID for Db2 Object Administration’s innovative design, you simply display the objects you need for your task, then you execute the command for the task. If you don’t know how to proceed, press <Help> and File-AID for Db2 Object Administration lists all available commands from which you can select.

Windows interface

File-AID for Db2 Object Administration introduces a window-driven interface with unique capabilities for managing your Db2 environment. Advanced window capabilities give you:

• Context-sensitive help windows
• Cut and paste facilities
• Fast-path commands to a specific window
• The ability to freeze, reorder, or hide columns.

All functions for displayed objects are directly available in the same window. You don’t have to navigate through a maze of menus or switch between several products. This architecture enables you to increase your productivity without a lengthy new product learning curve.

Catalog display facilities

Because File-AID for Db2 Object Administration uses an object-action interface, you’ll frequently need to display objects from the catalog as the first step in any task. File-AID for Db2 Object Administration catalog display facilities simplify the process of locating a specific set of objects. Facilities for all catalog objects are available from the Main Menu.

When you select a facility, File-AID for Db2 Object Administration opens a window in which you can specify a filter using a WHERE clause. You can choose a common filter, such as CREATOR or CREATEDBY. Or, you can build your own WHERE clause. Either way, File-AID for Db2 Object Administration opens a window listing those objects you need.

Commands for Displaying Objects

Each object type has a set of navigation commands that locate related or dependent objects. For example, a tablespace display has a command that displays dependent tables. These commands are always available whenever the object is displayed, regardless of how the display was generated.

When you press the <Help> key, File-AID for Db2 Object Administration opens a window listing the valid commands for the current object display.

Plan/package management

Displaying plans and packages is easier with File-AID for Db2 Object Administration’s facilities. You can easily view plan/package dependencies, free plans/packages, grant and revoke plan/package privileges, and bind or rebind plans/packages.

Simplified Db2 authorization control

File-AID for Db2 Object Administration displays current authorization information by user or by object. When authorizations are displayed, you can execute either the REVOKE or GRANT command to perform any of the following functions:

• Generate GRANTs for all privilege classes
• Generate REVOKE statements for all users or objects listed in the window
• Copy authorizations to another user

Easy Db2 object creation and modification

File-AID for Db2 Object Administration offers easy methods to create and modify objects:

• Use an existing object as a model to generate DDL for a new object.
• Use an existing object and its dependents to create an entire object structure. Primary commands assist in global object definition changes.

Help facility and tutorial

Both a Help Facility and a tutorial are available. The Help Facility includes a Help Menu that can be accessed from the Main Menu. From the Help Menu, you can select the tutorial, an overview of using the window capabilities of File-AID for Db2 Object Administration.

The Help Facility can also be accessed several other convenient ways to display valid commands for any window. This space provides step-by-step procedures for all Help Facility access methods.

Smart link field help facility

File-AID for Db2 Object Administration introduces an innovative capability called Smart Link, a logical extension of the Help Facility. When you need an object name to complete an input field, Smart Link automatically accesses the appropriate catalog display facility. For example, if you need a tablespace name as a parameter for a Db2 utility, Smart Link accesses the tablespace display facility, which you can then use to locate the correct tablespace name.

Once you have located the tablespace name, you can place the cursor on it and press Enter. File-AID for Db2 Object Administration copies the name to the input field and removes the Help windows.

Terminal support

File-AID for Db2 Object Administration uses the extended highlighting features of blink, reverse video, and underscore. Any terminal that supports extended data stream and extended highlighting supports these features. For non-DFTs (distributed function terminals) connected to 3274 control units, you must include customizing for extended data streams. This is also known as the extended attribute buffer.

The 3270 terminals (DFT and non-DFT) that support 3270 extended highlighting features include, but are not limited to: