Significance of record format in physical file
What is the main significance of Record format while defining a physical file or logical file. that is while defining the physical file we specify the record format.
In some situations we also use file name as record format, and sometimes we use the different names other than file names for defining the record structures. So is there any advantage of using other than file names for defining the record structures?
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ASKED:
February 11, 2013 8:14 AM
UPDATED:
February 11, 2013 1:28 PM
Answer Wiki:
One of the uses of the record format is when you have a file with multiple record layouts. This is not very common anymore, but years ago, the value in position 1 of the record would define the layout for the remaing fields. For example, an 'H' might be a header record and a 'D' could be a detail record.
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The main significance is that it provides a name that allows you to reference the format. It has a significance similar to the name of a program or name of a file or name of a user profile. It’s a ‘name’.
By default, SQL will assign a format name that is the same as the table name. Some HLL languages won’t allow you to use the same name for different objects. With RPG, a file and a format need to have different names for native (not SQL) I/O.
If you are using SQL, the format name isn’t usually relevant. Format names are mostly an element of ‘externally described files’.
Tom