Using EDL with CA SRM

Enterprise Definition Language › Using EDL with CA SRM

Using EDL with CA SRM

CA SRM provides two methods of selecting network objects:

Direct selection: Points to one or more network objects using the system’s browsing facilities.
EDL statement: A statement that evaluates the selection. In simplest terms, it is an explicit reference (a string containing the name or names of selected network objects).

EDL can distinguish network objects and their built-in relationships, such as OWNED_BY or IS_ON; therefore, the more complex the selection, the more useful EDL becomes. EDL statements are uniquely efficient in expressing storage management requirements and operations.

If you are manipulating network objects such as domains, computers, or files, you can use direct selection or explicit reference. If you want to select multiple objects or select objects by their relationships (such as the files of a given user) or by their attributes (such as files of a certain size or files that have changed after a certain date) you must use EDL.

You can use EDL in the following situations:

Service source definition
This statement finds all volumes that are more than 70 percent full:
```
VOLUME WHERE VOLUME_PERCENT_OCC_SPACE > 70	
```
Class definition
This statement creates a class to limit the scope of a query to old files:
```
FILE WHERE FILE_LAST_ACCESS_DATE < TODAY - 1 YEAR
```
Object definition for Automate services
This statement determines the source on which the Command Line statement (such as a delete command) will be activated.
```
FILE WHERE FILE_EXTENSION IN [“TMP”,”tmp”]
```
Definition of timing conditions
This statement can be used to control when a service is activated.
```
EVERY DAY
```
```
EVERY BUSINESS_DAY AFTER 5:00 PM
```

You can use different types of EDL expressions for different purposes. Use EDL selection statements for class and service definitions. Use EDL conditional statements for filters. Use EDL timing statements to specify service execution timing. You can use a subset of timing statements in conditions.

In some instances, the system furnishes an EDL icon, which invokes the EDL editor. The EDL editor provides the environment and the typing aids you use to generate EDL statements.

After you have defined the EDL statement, CA SRM compiles and stores it as part of the service or class definition. The actual EDL expression submitted for compilation can contain other parameters added transparently by the service definition dialog.