Using DISK and DATABASE Files

Database files, which are associated with the ILE COBOL devices of DATABASE and DISK, can be:
  • Externally described files, whose fields are described to IBM i through DDS
  • Program-described files, whose fields are described in the program that uses the file.

Database files are created using the Create Physical File (CRTPF) or Create Logical File (CRTLF) CL commands. For a description of these commands, see the CL and APIs section of the Programming category in the IBM i Information Center at this Web site -http://www.ibm.com/systems/i/infocenter/.

This chapter describes:
  • The differences between DISK and DATABASE files
  • The ways in which DISK and DATABASE files are organized
  • The various methods of processing DISK and DATABASE files.