Information roadmap for database creation

This roadmap contains a general introduction to IMS databases and step-by-step instruction on how to create a database.

Database overview

IMS databases fall into two types, full-function and Fast Path. Each type can be further divided into several subtypes.

Full-function database types: IMS full-function databases are hierarchical databases that are accessed by using DL/I calls.
Fast Path database types: Fast Path databases include data entry databases (DEDBs) and main storage databases (MSDBs). Both DEDB and MSDB use the direct method of storing data.

Creating a database

Follow the instructions to design and create a database:

Prerequisite: Before you start creating a database, familiarize yourself with users' processing and data requirements. Develop a conceptual data structure to satisfy the data requirements. For more information, see Analyzing data requirements.

1. Design a database.

For more information, see the following topics:

2. Implement database design.

If you enabled IMS management of application control blocks (ACBs), you can also use industry standard Data Definition Language (DDL) to implement your design.

If you choose the IMS generation utilities to create databases, see Using the IMS generation utilities to design IMS databases
If you choose DDL to create databases, see Using DDL to define databases and program views
If you choose both DDL and IMS generation utilities to create databases, see IMS Catalog Library Builder utility (DFS3LU00) for details about how to keep your IMS catalog, directory, DBDLIB, PSBLIB, and ACBLIB data sets in sync for tools and processes that still require the IMS generation data sets. It is up to users to put a process in place to coordinate changes using DDL and ACBGEN.

3. Register the databases in the RECON data set.

If you want DBRC to control database recovery, you must register the databases in the RECON data set. For more information, see Registering databases and database data sets.

4. Load the databases.

For more information, see Loading databases.

5. Create image copies for the databases.

Database recovery requires backup image copies of databases. Make a backup copy of the database after you initially load it, and make new backup copies at regular intervals. For more information, see Database backup copies.