Data entry databases

Data entry databases (DEDBs) provide efficient storage for and access to large volumes of data. DEDBs also provide a high level of availability of that data.

Several characteristics of DEDBs also make DEDBs useful when you must gather detailed and summary information. These characteristics include:

A DEDB is a hierarchical database that contains up to 127 segment types: a root segment, an optional sequential dependent segment, and 0 to 126 direct dependent segments. If an optional sequential dependent segment is defined, you can define no more than 125 direct dependent segments. A DEDB structure can have as many as 15 hierarchical levels. Instances of sequential dependent segments for an area are stored in chronological order, regardless of the root on which they are dependent. Direct dependent segments are stored hierarchically, which allows for rapid retrieval.

Recommendation: Because ETO terminals cannot access terminal-related MSDBs, you should develop any new Fast Path databases as DEDBs instead of as MSDBs. You should also consider converting any of your existing non-terminal-related MSDBs with non-terminal-related keys to VSO DEDBs. You can use the MSDB-to-DEDB Conversion utility to do so.