Formats¶
Data Controller allows formats to be viewed and edited directly from the web interface - avoiding the need to create and maintain parallel 'CNTLIN' datasets.
Formats are displayed with a special icon (bolt), in the same library as other tables (in both the VIEW and EDIT screens):
Viewing or editing a format catalog will always mean that the entire catalog is exported, before being filtered (if filters applied) and displayed. For this reason, it is recommended to split a large format catalog over several catalogs, if performance is a consideration.
The usual export mechanisms can also be applied - you can downlad the DDL, or export the catalog in CSV / Excel / Datalines / Markdown / DDL formats.
When adding a format to MPE_TABLES, the DSN should contain the format catalog name plus a -FC extension. The LOADTYPE should be FORMAT_CAT and the BUSKEY should be FMTNAME START. HOOK scripts can also be applied (ie, run some DQ after an edit, or re-run a batch job after an approval).
Example:
| LIBREF:$8. | DSN:$32. | LOADTYPE:$12. | BUSKEY:$1000. |
|---|---|---|---|
MYLIB |
FORMATS-FC |
FORMAT_CAT |
FMTNAME START |
Just like regular table edits, all changes to formats are logged in the MPE_AUDIT table.