Work with Classes window

The Work with Classes window appears after clicking (Work with Classes) from the main window.

The upper part of the window contains a list of classes, which is continuously updated according to the functions performed. Below the list is a group of objects that map to all the data elements of the selected class.

The following table describes the columns and fields listed in the Work with Classes area.

Note: If the corresponding Min and Max fields maintain their default values, the data range is ignored and only the Data type value is considered.
Field/Column Name Description Additional Information/Requirements
Class ID The Class identifier, which is a unique key for the file that records the classes. Mandatory field that is only editable during class creation.
Note: Class IDs 9990-9999 are reserved for use by the Data Subset Extraction module to implement OR conditions during subsetting.
Super Class The Super Class that has been associated with the class. If the Super Class value has been set to a space character, it indicates that no Super Class has been associated with the data element.
Name The name of the class. Mandatory field.
Charcode The character identifier of the class. Optional field.
Description A brief description of the class. The information in this column matches the information in the Full Description field. Mandatory field.
Highlight The primary class flag. Optional field.
Edit Mask The class editing mask. Optional field.
Changer Program The program which will be used when the class is assigned as a changer for a selected field. Optional field.
Data type Allowed data type for the class. Mandatory field. This attribute is relevant only if you use the associating data stores/copybooks automatically function. It is also used by Data Subset Extraction.
Min Length Allowed minimum length range for the class. The default value is 0. This attribute is relevant only if you use the associating data stores/copybooks automatically function.
Note: A check on the length is only performed on non-numeric classes.
Min Int Allowed minimum number of integer digits for the class. The default value is 0. This attribute is relevant only if you use the associating data stores/copybooks automatically function.
Note: A check on the length is only performed on non-numeric classes.
Min Dec Allowed minimum number of decimal digits for the class. The default value is 99. This attribute is relevant only if you use the associating data stores/copybooks automatically function.
Note: A check on the length is only performed on non-numeric classes.
Max Length Allowed maximum length range for the class. The default value is 0. This attribute is relevant only if you use the associating data stores/copybooks automatically function.
Note: A check on the length is only performed on non-numeric classes.
Max Int Allowed maximum number of integer digits for the class. The default value is 0. The Min Int and Max Int values must be specified if you receive the message: “Error! Reference source not found.
Note: If the class is non-numeric, this field is ignored.
Max Dec Allowed maximum number of decimal digits for the class. The default value is 99. This attribute is relevant only if you use the associating data stores/copybooks automatically function.
Note: A check on the length is only performed on non-numeric classes.
Name contains Sequence of characters that data elements associated with the class must contain. Optional field.
Name does not contain Sequence of characters that data elements associated with the class must exclude. Optional field.
Refresh button Refreshes the class information. If another user creates a class from a different executable in the same database, you can see the changes.
Apply button Confirms the changes made to the class.
New button Initializes fields for insertion when creating a new class.
Delete button Deletes the selected class. Before a class can be deleted, a series of referential integrity checks are carried out which, if not passed, generate an error message and block the deletion.
Cancel button Cancels any changes applied to the selected class. Any actions confirmed with Apply cannot be restored with Cancel but must be entered and confirmed again.
OK button Saves any changes that have not been applied and closes the window.