Implementing Dictionary Modifications

When you make structural changes to the product line or data areas, do a full dictionary build and reorganization for the product line and all associated data areas and data IDs. Build the dictionary and reorganize the database after you make a structural change to the dictionary or any of the following changes:

  • Create a new data area, based on an existing product line.

  • Assign a database space to the data area or product line.

  • Add new files.

  • Add new system codes.

  • Add new fields to a database file.

  • Change the definition of existing fields.

  • Delete unused fields.

When multiple data areas exist, blddbdict creates or rebuilds the structure dictionary first, then the data area dictionaries. If all dictionaries generate without error, they are moved to the appropriate files. When you make changes to one or more data areas, do a data area build and reorganization of the specific data area dictionaries.

Use the following steps to implement dictionary changes.

Implement dictionary changes

  1. Create or modify the database definition using dbdef, editda.
    Note: If you are creating a new data area, you will need to create the database driver configuration file as well.
  2. Build the data dictionary using blddbdict.
  3. Create and verify a list of database changes using the dbreorg –lc options.
  4. Reorganize the database to implement the changes.

    The dbreorg process affects tables for which the structure has changed.

  5. Verify successful reorganization.
  6. If you have added or removed fields from the database, modify the associated application programs and recompile the product line. These steps are documented in the Application Developer Workbench guide.