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Dictionaries

What is a Dictionary

To support the runtime environment, certain information is needed to define and control that environment. This information is stored in dictionaries.

A dictionary is a special CA IDMS defined database used to hold definitions of:

• Other databases
• CA IDMS/DC or CA IDMS UCF systems
• User-written applications

There are two kinds of dictionaries used in the CA IDMS environment: system dictionaries and application dictionaries.

System Dictionary

The system dictionary contains DC/UCF system definitions and physical database definitions.

There can be only one system dictionary in a runtime environment.

Application Dictionary

An application dictionary contains application definitions and logical database definitions. This includes records, relationships, areas, schemas, subschemas, maps, and dialogs.

There can be zero, one, or more application dictionaries in a runtime environment.

Note: For more information about defining and maintaining dictionaries, see Chapter 25, "Dictionaries and Runtime Environments".