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Dictionaries

A dictionary is a special CA IDMS database that contains definitions of other databases, DC/UCF systems, and applications. Information in the dictionary is organized into entity types that correspond to major data processing components (for example, tables, records, programs). The dictionary becomes populated with information about the data processing environment as various CA IDMS/DB software components are executed.

System and Application Dictionaries

Each DC/UCF system must contain a system dictionary. Any number of application dictionaries can also exist in a CA IDMS/DB runtime environment. The following table describes both types of dictionaries:

Dictionary

Description

System

Includes all information required to establish, maintain, and control the processing environment:

  • The DC/UCF system definition
  • The physical database definitions

Each runtime environment must have a system dictionary named SYSTEM.

Application

Optional dictionaries that contain information specific to a particular application, group of applications, or development groups:

  • The logical database definitions
  • Maps, dialogs, records, programs, elements

A runtime environment may contain zero or more application dictionaries the names of which are user-defined.