Full-function database types

IMS full-function databases are hierarchical databases that are accessed through DL/I calls. IMS makes it possible for application programs to retrieve, replace, delete, and add segments to IMS databases.

IMS allows you to define the database types as listed in Table 1. Each type has different organization processing characteristics. Except for DEDB and MSDB, all the database types are full-function databases that are discussed under the full-function databases.

Understanding how the database types differ enables you to choose the type that best suits your application's processing requirements.

Based on the access method used, the various databases can be classified into two groups: sequential storage and direct storage.