1. OVERVIEW › 1.5 Online Facility Tutorial › 1.5.4 Capacity Planning Analysis Inquiries › 1.5.4.5 Executing an Analysis Inquiry › 1.5.4.5.1 Selecting the Execution Mode

1.5.4.5.1 Selecting the Execution Mode

Three possible execution modes exist: batch, foreground, and
DMS (SAS Display Manager).  In batch mode, the online
facility creates and submits a batch job which executes the
inquiry.  In foreground mode, the online facility executes
the inquiry interactively and lets you review the results
immediately. DMS mode is like foreground except MICF executes
your inquiry under the SAS Display Manager (SAS/DMS). With
DMS mode execution, you get control after inquiry execution
completes and can use SAS/DMS facilities to analyze
intermediate work file contents, revise color graphics, etc.

To select the execution mode, type either BATCH (or B),
FOREGROUND (or F), or DMS (or D) after the Inquiry Execution
Mode prompt.

If you select foreground, the inquiry executes interactively
and gives you the ability to browse your output online, print
it, and save it.  The disadvantage of foreground execution is
that you cannot use your terminal for anything else while a
file definition inquiry is executing.

Figure 1-20 shows a comparison of the features available in
the batch and foreground execution modes.

 Feature                                   Batch  Foreground
 -----------------------------------------------------------
 Ability to catalog output                  Yes      Yes
 Ability to replay color graphics           Yes      Yes
 Ability to print reports                   Yes      Yes
 Ability to print color graphics            Yes      Yes
 Terminal available for use during
     inquiry execution                      Yes      No
 -----------------------------------------------------------


 Figure 1-20.  Comparison of Batch and Foreground Execution