Record Layout Cross Reference function

The record layout cross reference (XREF) function enables you to create and maintain XREFs. This function is accessed by selecting option R from the Primary Option Menu.

File-AID/Data Solutions uses an XREF to automatically match record layouts to data records for its functions that use layouts to format change and selection criteria. An XREF is needed when the data being changed is defined by more than one record layout.

With the XREF function, you can create a permanent member of a PDS that contains the rules for selecting a record layout. The rules are based on the data conditions found in each record.

Important

XREF datasets should be maintained with File-AID/Data Solutions option R or File-AID/MVS option 7. See also Editing of XREF or Change Criteria Members in section Data-set-types.

The XREF is a cross reference between each data file record and the corresponding layout that you want File-AID to use. The following situations require the creation of a record layout cross reference (XREF):

  • The data file you want to manipulate contains more than one type of record, where each type of record requires a different record layout to define it.
  • The record layout(s) you want File-AID to use are stored in a source library member containing multiple record layouts.
  • The record layout(s) you want File-AID to use are embedded in a COBOL or PL/I program.
  • The first n positions of each record in the data file are not defined by your record layout(s), requiring File-AID to generate a data-name item to act as filler before the layout(s).

  • The records are segmented; each record in the data file requires multiple record layouts to define each possible segment of the record.

    With segmented records, File-AID/Data Solutions can change the base segment and all segments after the base, providing the type and length of all preceding segments can be identified as defined in the XREF.

For many of the data files that you work with in File-AID functions, an XREF is not needed. If the following two conditions are both true, you can specify the record layout member name directly within the File-AID function as Record layout usage = S.

  • All of the records in the data file are of the same type, requiring only one record layout to define each record.
  • This single record layout exists by itself in its own source library member (PDS, CA Panvalet, or CA Librarian).

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