DBU Tips
Did you know...
1. Did you know...you can create Data Subsets using DBU search capabilities? To create a subset of records reflecting your search criteria, key ‘Y’ in ‘Create Subset of Records’ within the search feature. Only the records which match your search request will be displayed.
2. Did you know...file maintenance applications can be created? To create an application, bring the file up in DBU. Arrange fields & functions to meet your needs. Key in APP at the control line and press Enter. Then Press F6 and enter the application name, description and defined authority. This saves your DBUAPP. Users can then enter DBUAPP followed by the application name you just saved for access to the file.
3. Did you know...you can access data areas, data queues, journals, and users spaces using DBU? Just enter DBU, the object name and the object type on the command line.
4. Did you know...DBU/GUI does NOT require Interactive CPW? Avoiding the 5250 data stream is just as important - if not more important - before IBM decided to change the way it packages and sells the System i / iSeries. With two editions of OS/400 (one that includes all the interactive 5250 CPW you can use, called Enterprise, and one that includes none of it, called Standard), buying the Enterprise Edition, when the Standard Edition would suffice, can easily add hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra fees to the cost of an iSeries server. And you would still be able to access your database files through the use of DBU/GUI.
5. Did you know...data can be displayed in hexadecimal format? This option allows the user to change the displayed data from a Character Format to a Hexadecimal Format or Hexadecimal to a Character Format. This option applies to all fields of the file displayed until the user changes them or until another file is accessed. The default format is "Character" for all files.
6. Did you know...system info is contained in DBU audit logs? DBU audit logs contain the system name so that you know not only the file information but what system that change was made on. This is especially helpful if you have multiple systems using the same file names.
7. Did you know... you can access a command line in DBU? You can access a command line by pressing the F10 command key , tab to the Extra Menu, press Enter and select option 8. The Command Line is displayed. The command line can also be accessed by keying CMD in the control line. The command line can be restricted by the authority file.
8. Did you know...DBU makes it easy to read journal receivers? DBU incorporates the journaling function so you can see your journal broken down into fields instead of unbroken lines of text. Using DBU to look at the journal is as easy as looking at a file. You can use the DBUJRN command or you can simply use the main DBU prompt and key in the name of the journal, the library and on the DBU Type field, key in *JRN.
9. Did you know...you can enable DBU audit logs to document all changes, additions, and/or deletions made to a file while it is accessed by DBU? Execute DBUAUT then enable auditing by keying 'Y' in 'Audit Trail'. DBU Audit Logs contain the system name so that you know not only the file information but what system that change was made on. This is especially helpful if you have multiple systems using the same file names. You can protect these audit logs using validity checking programs. All necessary programs are included in the source file DBUSRC.
10. Did you know...F15 accesses the search function? It allows you to find a record within the active file using the search portion only or both the search and replace portion. You can also have the search include deleted records.
11. Did you know...you can tailor authority to DBU? The command, DBUAUT, is supplied with DBU to allow individual profiles to have different authority levels and default values. It also controls the operating environment for DBU. User profiles may be added, updated, deleted or displayed.
12. Did you know...you can create temporary fields within DBU? Create a temporary field to be used to break up fields into smaller fields and to combine contiguous fields into larger fields. It is a great tool to use for search and replace functions and can be used in applications. These fields are created for use within DBU only. The source member and the physical file will not change.
13. Did you know...you can retrieve deleted records with DBU? Deleted records can be retrieved using a physical file or a logical that has been changed to relatiave record number (arrival) sequence. Key RDR in the control line to turn the function on. DBU will highlight the data and ask the user to press F17 to reactivate the deleted record. Pressing Enter will not reactivate the record.
14. Did you know...you can lock fields within DBU? To lock a field on a screen (multiple and single mode), press F4 (Field Selection) and key an 'L' under select.
15. Did you know...you can import fields with DBU? Import Fields is found on the Field Selection Screen (F4). You can use this function to import the field definition to be used for a flat file or a Data Area. You can then save this as a DBU application so the next time you use it, the fields are already formatted.
16. Did you know...you can export fields with DBU? Export Fields is found on the Field Selection screen (F4). This option will export the DDS for a file to a source member in a source file. All fields will be selected unless you have selected specific fields. The fields will be ordered by the Seq# on the field selection screen.
17. Did you know...you can refresh field contents in DBU? While in change mode, press F5 to recall the originally accessed record in its entirety if enter has not been pressed.
18. Did you know...date last used is captured in DBU? Database Relations displays date last used per file on the DBU Database Relations screen for file analysis and system cleanup use.
19. Did you know...DBU security is available? Security can be tightened for specific customer needs through individual restriction criteria over and above preset system defaults. Retrieve CL source of DBU security program DBUCDBU1 and insert your special security needs.
20. Did you know...that you can use DBU without adding the DBU library to your library list? Create a duplicate object of the DBU command placing it in your QGPL library (or any all purpose library). Then do a change command (CHGCMD) on the newly created command and change the PRODUCTION library to point to your DBU library.
21. Did you know...DBU has field level security? DBU will automatically import any field level security you have defined on your file. You can also use the F4=List fields then F15 to tailor field level security.
22. Did you know...you can remove the Function keys line? Press the F2 key and DBU will remove the Function keys line and display two more lines of data for you.
23. Did you know...DBU has a menu DBUMNU? The DBU menu gives you quick access to eleven of the commonly used DBU functions.
24. Did you know...DBU has mouse support on your green screen? You can use your mouse by double clicking areas on your screen like: Your drop down menus and their options, the function keys at the bottom of the screen or anywhere on the screen to advance to the next record.
25. Did you know...Fast Path Commands are available? Just press the F1 key for help while the cursor is in the Control field. These fast path commands are also displayed on each drop down menu.
26. Did you know...DBU has the ability to display Multiple files on one screen? When you are using DBU to look at data in one file and need to see data in a second file, just enter the fast path command OPN or press F18 to open another file. Each file will now be displayed in a window and each window supports all of the same functions available in full screen mode.
27. Did you know...you can Minimize and Maximize your multiple file windows? Just press F23 and the window that you are currently in will Maximize. Pressing F23 again will Minimize the window. Pressing F22 will advance you to the next file whether you are in a window or full screen. These options are also available on the Window drop down menu.
28. Did you know...you can Suspend a file without closing it? Enter the fast path command SSP or select Suspend from the File drop down menu. You can then select which files you want to display. The file that is suspended will remain open and positioned at the current record when it was suspended.
29. Did you know...you can Size your Windows? You can change the size and position of your windows by using the DBUAUT command to set the default size and position. You can also change the size and position of your windows on the fly, just enter the Fast path command SIZ or select Size from the Window drop down menu. Use your mouse to select the side to move then click on the F10 key, then double click where you want the change to be. Use the F22 key or double click within a window to switch to that window for sizing.
30. Did you know...DBU has complete Journal Auditing? DBU can journal just the changes/deletes made within DBU. These changes are standard IBM journal entries that can be displayed or reported on using the DBUAUDMN menu.
31. Did you know...you can duplicate records quickly & easily with DBU? Display the record you wish to duplicate in DBU. Key 'DUP' on the control line, then press enter. DBU will put you in ADD mode and allow you to make any changes. Press enter to ADD the record.
32. Did you know...you can change the upper/lower case for all files using the default in DBUAUT? You can change upper/lower case values by file and fields within a file. Press F4 to list fields. Once fields have been selected for upper case, F17 will remove the selection. If no fields have been selected, then all other alpha-numeric fields will be marked for upper case. The case can also be changed by individual fields.
