The CA ADS Application Compiler (ADSA)

Introduction to CA ADS › Tools Used To Develop an Application › The CA ADS Application Compiler (ADSA)

The CA ADS Application Compiler (ADSA)

ADSA screens prompt for information that defines the application structure and runtime flow of control. When the definition is completed and compiled, CA ADS stores the resulting load module in the data dictionary for use at runtime.

Functions

Runtime flow of control is based on the analysis of the interactions (functions) necessary to conduct the work of the application. In a CA ADS application, a function can be any one of the function types listed in the table below. Functions are the structural units of an application. They are defined by using ADSA screens.

Typically, an online application contains menu functions, menu/dialog functions, dialog functions, and many of the system functions. Program functions are less often used.

Functions in a CA ADS application

Function Type	What it Does
Dialog	Performs a variety of processing activities, such as data retrieval and update
Program	Performs processing specified in user-written COBOL, PL/I, or Assembler programs
Menu	Displays a system-defined menu screen Performs standard menu processing activities at runtime
Menu/dialog	Displays either a system-defined or a site-defined menu screen Performs standard processing and any additional site-defined processing supplied by an associated dialog
System Functions	Perform predefined activities
ESCAPE	Bypasses a function even though the current screen contains errors
FORWARD/BACKWARD	Pages forward or backward on menu maps
HELP	Displays the runtime Application Help screen
POP	Returns to the last menu or menu/dialog function
POPTOP	Returns to the first menu or the menu/dialog function
QUIT	Terminates application processing
RETURN	Returns to the next higher level function in the sequence of operative functions
SIGNON/SIGNOFF	Signs on to or off of CA IDMS/DC or DC/UCF from within the application
TOP	Returns to the highest level function in the sequence of operative functions

Responses

The path between two functions is called a response. Responses define all possible flow of control in the application. The following diagram shows the functions and responses of a sample employee information application that stores and displays employee information.

Functions and responses in a sample CA ADS application