Rules for using an SSA
MSDB processing imposes the following restrictions on the use of an SSA (segment search argument).
- No boolean operator
- No command code
Even with the preceding restrictions, the result of a call to the
database with no SSA, an unqualified SSA, or a qualified SSA remains
the same as a call to the full-function database. For example, a retrieval
call without an SSA returns the first record of the MSDB or the full-function
database, depending on the environment in which you are working. The
following list shows the type of compare or search technique used
for a qualified SSA.
- Type of Compare
-
- Sequence field: logical
- Non-sequence arithmetic field: arithmetic
- Non-sequence non-arithmetic: logical
- Type of Search
-
- Sequence field: binary if operator is = or >=, otherwise sequential
- Non-sequence arithmetic field: sequential
- Non-sequence non-arithmetic: sequential