Learning the basics

Summary of File-AID for Db2 Object Administration techniques

The following summary describes some basic techniques for using File-AID for Db2 Object Administration.

Executing primary and row commands

The command entry areas are similar to those in ISPF screens. Primary commands are entered in the COMMAND field at the top of the window.

File-AID for Db2 Object Administration also uses row commands, which are similar to ISPF line commands. Row commands are entered in the number sequence area.

Selecting items

You can select items from a window in one of two ways:

• Explicit selection uses an S row command in the number sequence area or a primary command in the COMMAND field. This method is valid in windows that list items for selection, such as a menu.
• Implicit selection uses cursor positioning on window elements. To implicitly select an item, place the cursor on the element and press Enter.

Executing and creating a fast-path command

A fast-path command accesses a specific window by automatically opening all the necessary windows. Any window with a Command column can be accessed with a fast-path command.

To create a fast-path command, concatenate the commands from the Command column from each window you want to open. Use a period (.) as a delimiter. The following fast-path command opens a window that displays all databases in the current subsystem:

If you do not execute a fast-path command in the Main Menu, you need to add the MENU prefix: MENU.DB.ALL.

Exiting a navigation path

Press <Exit> to exit your navigation path and return to the Main Menu. The default PF key for <Exit> is PF4. When you press <Exit>, all windows you opened after the Main Menu are deleted.

Quitting File-AID for Db2 Object Administration

To terminate your File-AID for Db2 Object Administration session, execute the QUIT primary command in any window. The QUIT command returns you to your access point. Either of the following procedures also return you to your access point:

• Execute the CANCEL, END, EXIT, or FINISH primary command in the Main Menu.
• Place the cursor on the bottom border of the Main Menu and press Enter.

Techniques for managing windows

Although File-AID for Db2 Object Administration controls the initial size, shape, and sometimes the placement of pop-up windows, you can still change them to suit your needs. For example, you may want to resize and reposition two table displays so you can view them at the same time.

Below are some techniques that you’ll use frequently to manage your windows.

You can also change your User Profile values to customize your window displays. Use the short cut MENU.PRO.WIN to access your profile’s Window Parameter display.

Maximizing

Resize a window to the size of the screen using any of these methods:

• Execute the MAXIMIZE primary command.
• Press the PF key assigned to MAXIMIZE. The default is PF12.
• Place the cursor on the COMMAND prompt and press Enter.

Minimizing

Resize a window as small as possible using any of these methods:

• Execute the MINIMIZE primary command.
• Place the cursor on the COMMAND prompt and press Enter.

Normalizing

Return a window to its normal size and position using any of these methods:

• Execute the NORMALIZE primary command.
• Press the PF key assigned to NORMALIZE. The default is PF24.
• Place the cursor on the COMMAND prompt and press Enter.

Repositioning

Move a window using any of these commands:

POSITION

Places the upper-left corner of a window where you have the cursor.

ARRANGE

Arranges the display of windows vertically, horizontally, etc., based on window level.

WINDOW

Moves a window up, down, right, or left by an amount specified with a keyword or by the amount in the Scroll field.

Ending (Removing and Saving)

End a window using any of these methods:

• Execute the END or FINISH primary command.
• Press the PF key assigned to END. The default is PF3.
• Place the cursor on the bottom border and press Enter.

Ending a work buffer window saves newly appended statements and commands. .

Canceling (Removing and Deleting)

Cancel a window using any of these methods:

• Execute the CANCEL primary command.
• Press the PF key assigned to CANCEL. The default is PF15.

Canceling a work buffer window deletes newly appended statements or commands.

Scrolling Data

Use the UP, DOWN, RIGHT, and LEFT primary commands. These commands are also assigned to PF keys. File-AID for Db2 Object Administration uses the value in the SCROLL field for the scroll amount (such as HALF or MAXIMUM).

To position the data display at a specific row, use the ROW primary command and specify the row number as a parameter.

You can also use the scrolling characters <\//\> located above the sequence numbers. Each character indicates a direction to scroll. To use a character, place your cursor on it and press Enter.

Using ZOOM Command for Long Object Names

Since object names can be up to 128 characters long. File-AID for Db2 Object Administration recognizes and supports long object names.

The asterisk * at the end of the column header indicates that the column width has been truncated and truncated long object names are underlined.

To display and enter long object names type the ZOOM primary command, move the cursor into the column heading to expand and press <Enter> (see the following figure for an example in an Edit window).

Enter ZOOM command to expand display column

File-AID for Db2 Object Administration expands the column as shown in the following figure.

Expanded TBNAME column

Now you can view the full length of the object name. Use the LEFT and RIGHT scrolling commands to display the rest of the long name column.

When you are in an Edit window you can now enter the long name.

Typing long name

To restore the multi column display enter the ZOOM command again. The asterisk * at the end of the column header indicates that the column width has been truncated and truncated long names are underlined as shown in the following figure.

Asterisk in column header identifies truncated column width

When the ZOOM command is in effect. File-AID for Db2 Object Administration automatically adjusts the width of the long name column while scrolling through a list of objects with long object names.

How to find help

File-AID for Db2 Object Administration offers extensive Help facilities, listed below. The default PF key for <Help> is PF1.

Help Menu

To display the Help Menu, select HELP from the Main Menu. The fast-path command is MENU.HLP, which you can execute in any window.

Tutorial

Select TUTORIAL from the Help Menu.

Valid Row Commands

To display valid row commands for any window, place the cursor in the number sequence area and press <Help>. Help for row commands can also be accessed with the HELP row command.

Valid Primary Commands

To display valid primary commands for any window, place the cursor on a blank COMMAND field and press <Help>.

Command Syntax and Help Text

To display syntax and usage instructions for a primary command, first open the window of valid primary commands. Place the cursor on the description text for a command and press Enter.

Command Placement

If you select a command from the Command Help window, File-AID for Db2 Object Administration places it in the requesting window and closes all Help windows. The requesting window is the one in which the cursor was located when you pressed <Help>.

Parameter Values

To find valid values for a parameter field, place the cursor on the field and press <Help>. A window opens showing valid values. If you select a value from this window, File-AID for Db2 Object Administration places the value in the field and removes the Help windows.

Smart Link

If you press <Help> on a field that requires a DB2 catalog object name, Smart Link automatically invokes the appropriate catalog display facility for you. When you locate the object name and select it, Smart Link places it in the parameter field and closes all Help windows.

DB2 Catalog Help

To find out what a column’s relationship is to the DB2 catalog, place the cursor on the column’s heading and press <Help>. In the Column Attributes window that opens, look for DB2 TABLE NAME and DB2 COLUMN NAME.

Window Help

Many windows have specific online instructions available. Enter HELP WINDOW in the COMMAND field or place the cursor on the top border and press <Help>. If no window-specific Help is available, the Help Menu window opens.