FILEMAINT Mode - FILE Structure Maintenance › Delete Structures

Delete Structures

In FILEMAINT Mode, use the DELETE function when you want to delete a CA FILE Model structure or substructure from CA Datacom Datadictionary.

You can use the DELETE function with FILE, RECORD, KEY, ELEMENT and DATAVIEW occurrences. To delete FIELD occurrences, see Update Field.

How It Works

When you delete a structure that is the root of the structure, all entity-occurrences within the structure are also deleted. For example, when you delete a RECORD substructure, you also delete the FIELD, KEY, and ELEMENT occurrences.

The results of the DELETE function in CA Datacom Datadictionary vary depending on the status of the structure or substructure.

• In TEST or HIST status, this function deletes the structure or substructure from CA Datacom Datadictionary.
• In PROD status, this function changes the structure or substructure to HIST status.

Relationships

Deleting a structure or substructure can affect other occurrences in the FILE structure and occurrences that are not part of the FILE structure. For example, when you delete a FILE structure, it can affect a DATAVIEW occurrence which is related to the ELEMENT or KEY occurrence previously contained in the structure. Therefore, before you delete the file, determine whether DATAVIEW occurrences are related to any occurrences in the structure, and take the appropriate action.

In HIST Status

With the proper authorization, you can delete a structure or substructure in HIST status. However, when the maximum number of allowed HIST status versions is reached, CA Datacom Datadictionary automatically deletes the structure or substructure with the oldest date/time stamp. The maximum number of HISTory status versions is specified in the ENTY-HIST-VERS attribute of the TABLE occurrence for the entity-type in the DATA-DICT database.

More Information

• For more information about the ENTY-HIST-VERS attribute-type for TABLE occurrences, see the CA Datacom Datadictionary Attribute Reference Guide.
• For more information about how to authorize users, see the CA Datacom Security Reference Guide.
• For more information about the DELETE command, see DELETE and also see Obsolete Structures.

How to Use

Use one of the following procedures to perform this function:

• Select the DELETE option on the File Structure Maintenance Panel listing functions for the selected structure, fill in the prompter panel and press PF9 (APPLY).
• Enter the DELETE command (see DELETE) for the correct format and press PF9 (APPLY).
• Type the DEL margin command in the line number of the occurrence on an indented structure or an index display. Enter the PROCESS command (press PF4), and press PF9 (APPLY).