Record layout cross reference (7)

The record layout cross reference (XREF) function enables you to create and maintain XREFs. File-AID uses an XREF to automatically match record layouts to data records for its functions that use layouts to format data. An XREF is needed when the data being formatted requires more than a single 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. XREFs are processed by the following File-AID functions:

Browse

Formatted display mode and FPRINT command

Edit

Formatted display mode and FPRINT command

Print

Formatted data record printing

Selection

Formatted selection criteria specification

Reformat

Source layout and record selection

Compare

Formatted field comparison and differences reporting.

XREF layouts are compiled when needed by the function.

Warning

XREF datasets should be maintained with File-AID/MVS option 7 (see also Editing of XREF or Selection Criteria Members).

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.

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).

Unicode (UTF-8 and UTF-16) Considerations

XREF accepts layouts including UTF-8, NATIONAL and/or NATIONAL Numeric fields. However, these fields are 'NOT SUPPORTED FOR XREF' and the RO (Relational Operator) column is protected.

This section provides information about the following topics:

 

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