Using the Reason Specification

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Using the Reason Specification

Using the Reason code you can display just those model objects that were included on the display for a specified reason. The Reason code indicates the way in which the displayed object is used by, or referenced by, the expanded model object. For example, if you expand usages for a field (FLD), a reason of *FILENT for a file (FIL) indicates that the field is an entry attribute of the file.

Each time you change the Reason field, usages or references are expanded again for the original model object.

Following are the possible values for Reason:

Value	Meaning
*FIRST	Select just the first using or referenced object. In this case, the model objects are sorted and displayed by object name and type. This is the default.
*ALL	Include all usages or references and display the Reason code for each. In this case the model objects are displayed in the order in which they are encountered by the expansion process. As a result, the level numbers shown reflect the relationships between the listed objects. On the corresponding printed report the levels are shown indented to highlight the relationships more clearly.
Reason code	Select just those model objects that use or reference the original model object in the way indicated by the value specified. Two examples follow this table.

Following are two examples of specific Reason codes:

Suppose you have expanded usages for a field. Enter *ACTION in the Reason field to display just those functions where the field is used in an action diagram action.
Suppose you have expanded references for a function. Enter *BASED in the Reason field to display the access path on which the function is based.

For more information on the Reason specification and a list of all Reason values, see the CA 2E Command Reference Guide.