6. Database Tailoring and Retrofitting Techniques › 6.2 Tailoring the Database

6.2 Tailoring the Database

A great amount of site tailoring can be accomplished using
the CA MICS parameter library members. For example, most
generally used data selection criteria are addressed by
CA MICS parameters.

Tailoring the database, as explained in the sections that
follow, is the next level of detail.  For example, deleting
data elements from a file, adding others, creating the file
in timespans that are not normally supported, and modifying
the CA MICS archive process are not changes that can
conveniently be made by the novice user.

The changes described here must be tested and verified to
ensure the integrity and usability of the entire CA MICS
database.

Following these guidelines will help you tailor your CA MICS
database.  If, after you read these sections, you still have
a question about the feasibility or practicality of an
intended change, please call the CA MICS Product Support
Group for assistance.

Product tailoring is performed in levels that relate to
the structure of the definition of a component.  A component
is defined by Component Generator Statement sets:

    Component and generation control statements
    - Information area within the component
      - File within the information area
        - Timespans in which the file exists
        - Archiving for the file
        - Data elements in the file
          - Journaling data elements in the file
          - data element 1
          - data element 2
          - ...
          - data element n

The lowest level of tailoring involves changing data
element statements to modify the data elements within the
file.  Common data elements (common to many files, described
in a special common description area) may be modified in many
files in one stroke.

The next level of modification is to modify the file's
operational characteristics.  Online files may be modified to
change the timespans in which the file exists or the
sequence of the file within the timespan.  Offline files may
be modified to change the archiving characteristics of the
file.

The examples in the following sections are based on the
NPANCP file shown in chapter 4's MCG Illustrations section.