Fast Path database types

Fast Path databases include data entry databases (DEDBs) and main storage databases (MSDBs). DEDBs provide efficient storage for and access to large volumes of data. DEDBs also provide a high level of availability to that data. MSDBs store and provide access to an installation's most frequently used data.

Both DEDBs and MSDBs use the direct method of storing data. With the direct method, the hierarchical sequence of segments is maintained by putting direct-address pointers in each segment's prefix.

Each IMS environment supports Fast Path databases as follows:

• DB/DC supports both DEDBs and MSDBs.
• DBCTL supports DEDBs, but does not support MSDBs.
• DCCTL does not support DEDBs or MSDBs.