HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
Chapter 5 DATABASE TOOLS Introducing DBChange Plus by Debby Kidd Commercial Systems Division/DBL Available with XL Release 3.0 is DBChange Plus, the database restructuring tool designed for use by TurboIMAGE/XL administrators. With the new command-driven interface, administrators can easily restructure, maintain, and analyze their TurboIMAGE/XL databases. Written in native mode, DBChange Plus takes advantage of the advanced technology offered by MPE XL, resulting in improved performance. DBCHANGE PLUS FEATURES DBChange Plus contains all the features provided by the existing products, DBChange/V and DBChange/CM, plus many significant enhancements. The following new features improve productivity and provide greater flexibility in managing databases. Command-driven Interface The easy-to-use interface allows administrators to use DBChange Plus both interactively and in batch mode. Job streams may be set up to run DBChange Plus off hours when there is less impact to other database users. In addition, DBChange commands can be kept in a permanent command file. The command file can be used as input to the DBChange program, thus saving the time of repeatedly typing in the same commands. Data Set Repacking Administrators can now repack detail data sets, serially or by any path. Repacking a data set along a specified path is an excellent way to improve the performance of chained reads along the path. A path repack moves all entries on each chain into contiguous space while retaining the existing chain sequence. A serial repack eliminates unused space between data entries, while retaining the physical sequence of entries. Capacity Management The CONTROL command makes it easier for administrators to proactively manage the capacity of their databases. DBChange Plus will identify data sets that are filled above a specified percentage (for example, above 80% full) and recommend a new capacity. This can be done via a batch job and CONTROL statements specifying the desired capacity percentages. Database Integrity Checking Administrators can use DBChange Plus to maintain the structural integrity of their databases. The new CHECK command will notify the programmer of any structural problems with the database and the FIX command will correct the most common problems such as broken chains and bit map errors. Erase Data Set The ERASE SET command will remove all entries from a detail or manual master data set. This is useful for production databases which regularly archive information or in development work when testing databases and programs.