Defining a Database Using SQL › Executing SQL Data Description Statements

Executing SQL Data Description Statements

Tool for Entering SQL DDL Statements

You enter SQL data description language statements using the online or batch command facility. The command facility performs the following functions:

• Accepts as input SQL data description language (DDL) statements
• Updates the application dictionary with definitions
• Updates the database to reflect the definitions

Note: See the CA IDMS SQL Programming Guide for syntax. See the CA IDMS Common Facilities Guide document for information about submitting SQL statements using the command facility.

Identifying the Dictionary

When you use the command facility, you must identify the application dictionary to be updated by either:

• Explicitly connecting to a dictionary
• Establishing a default dictionary

Executing DDL Statements Programmatically

You can embed SQL DDL statements in an application program. No cursors can be open when you execute embedded DDL statements.

Note: See the CA IDMS SQL Programming Guide document for information about embedding SQL statements in an application program.

Local Mode

It is recommended that SQL statements not be executed in local mode. If a local mode error is encountered in the execution of a DDL statement, the dictionary is left in an unpredictable state and must be manually recovered. To avoid this, execute SQL DDL statements only under the central version.