Creating and Using a Segment Layout File

Attention: This topic applies to a feature that is in Early Adopter Program (EAP) release status. We intend to provide the finalized feature in a future release. Please contact Micro Focus Customer Care if you require further clarification.

The segment layout allows you to edit the IMS segments in a data file using the right pane of the Data File Tools window. To create a segment layout file:

  1. Right-click on the PL/I program file containing the record data and select Compile to compile it.
  2. Right-click on the PL/I program file containing the record data and select Create Segment Layout File.
  3. Select an IMS database from the list; then click Create to open the layout file in the Layout window. The Data File Tools Layout editor appears with the selected file loaded. The file's data structures display in the left pane, with data from the declarations displaying as separate nodes under the Declarations folder.
    Note: If the character sets used in the Data File Tools editor and the file being opened differ, a message box appears asking if you want to use the character set specified for the file or the character set used in the editor.
  4. To see the segment layouts for a given node in the Declarations folder, click and drag the node from the left pane to the right pane. The New Segment Layout dialog box appears.
  5. Choose Next, then Finish.
  6. Save the file with the same name as the IMS database (.dbd or .psb) file, but with a .slf extension. So if, for example, the database file is mydata.dbd, you must name this file mydata.slf in order for the IMS Database Editor to be able to display the segment layout properly.

Loading a segment layout in the IMS Database Editor

Once the .slf file is created for a database, you can view and edit the segments in the right pane of the IMS Database Editor. If the IMS database file and the segment layout file have the same file prefix name, the IMS Database Editor automatically loads the appropriate segment layout when you start the tool. However, if the filename prefixes do not match, or if you want to apply an alternative segment layout file:

  1. Start the IMS Database Editor.
  2. Choose File > IMS Database Editor > Load Segment Layouts.
  3. Select a .slf file that was created from the database file.

    The file loads in the IMS Database Editor with the segments properly formatted in the right pane.

  4. Edit segments as needed. Changes are saved as soon as they are made.

For complete information on using these Data File Tools, see IMS Segment Layout Editor and IMS Database Editor.

Parent topic: Data File Tools Support for PL/I