Creating the First Record

The first record in your application is generally the header record. The first record is subordinate to the icon in the application side of the map. This shows how the records (and groups) are contained within it.

Tip: You should include a header record in each application file. The header record is mandatory and does not repeat.

Use this procedure to create the first application record.

  1. Select the Positional File icon (output for an inbound map and input for an outbound map).
  2. Select Edit > Create Sub > Record.

    The system displays the Positional Record Properties dialog box.

  3. On the Name tab, type the record name and a description of the record.
    Note: The description allows you to differentiate similar records.
  4. Select the Tag tab.
  5. Type the record identification code <TAG>. The record tag for each record enables the system to recognize that record and then determine the mapping requirements.

    For example, a record is recognized by the system as:

    <TAG>[Field_1][Field_2]

    Define the record tag on the Positional Record Properties dialog box, instead of defining fields with the purpose of explicitly containing the record tag.

  6. In the Position box, type the starting column position of the tag in the data record.
  7. Select the Special tab only if you want to specify floating or wildcard options. Otherwise, accept the defaults.
    • Floating - The record does not have a fixed position in the file.
    • Wildcard - Generally only used with build or break maps.
  8. Select the Looping tab only if the record is a looping structure. Otherwise, accept the defaults and continue with step 10.
  9. If this record is a looping structure, on the Looping tab, enter the minimum and maximum number of times the record can repeat. Type 1 to make the header record mandatory.
    Note: If the Min Usage box contains 0, the record is conditional. If the Min Usage box contains 1 or greater, the record is mandatory.
  10. Click OK to create the record.