Archive process

The archive process selects data from a source (one or more tables in a database) and copies that data to a destination (an archive file).

To archive data, you must create an archive request that includes the specifications for the data to be archived, called the access definition, and the parameters for processing. You can run the archive request immediately, or schedule the process to run automatically, at predetermined intervals. You can also automate processing by running the archive request from the command line, using overrides for specifications in the request.

Archive request

In the archive request, you provide the parameters needed to perform the archive process. These parameters include the name of the archive and archive index files, group name, the name of the access definition (unless the access definition is embedded in the process request), and delete preferences. The archive request can also reference a storage profile that provides parameters for storing the archive file on fixed or removable media, for creating a duplicate copy of the file, or for copying the file to a backup device.

Archive Request Editor

Use the Archive Request Editor to create and edit archive requests.

Archive file

The archive file contains the archived data and object definitions needed to re-create the database, if necessary. The file can be stored locally on the client system or on a shared file server, or can be stored on removable media, such as zip disks. Archive directory entries provide general information about each archive file and any archive indexes for data in the file. If archive files are stored on removable media, or copied to tape, the archive directory entries are retained on the client system or shared file server. You can search the retained entries and archive indexes to determine which files should be returned to disk for browsing or restoring.

After you have extracted data and created an archive file, you can browse the contents of the file to answer questions or satisfy a customer request. You can search archive directory entries, archive index files, and archive files, using criteria for the files and data of interest. If necessary, you can restore selected data from the archive file.

Archive index file

The archive index file facilitates searching for archived data to browse or restore. You provide parameters for indexing archived data in the access definition.

Access Definition

The access definition governs the overall archive process. An access definition identifies the tables, relationship traversals, and selection criteria for the data you want to archive, and may identify tables from which archived data is deleted. It also provides parameters for archive indexes and actions – user-defined SQL statements executed at predefined points in an archive or restore process. You can select a pre-defined, named access definition or create a new access definition for an archive request.

You use an access definition to:

  • Identify the tables from which data is archived. You can enter the name of a single table and use functions to list the names of all related tables. One table is identified as the start table, or the table from which data is first archived.
  • Identify tables from which data is deleted after archiving. An option allows you to review and change your delete selections before data is deleted.
  • Select relationships to be traversed and the direction of traversal when archiving the data. You can use relationships defined to the database and create relationships in the Optim™ directory to replicate those managed by your applications.
  • Define criteria for the set of related rows to be archived, using:
    • Selection criteria based on the age of the data or values in one or more columns.
    • A manually selected list of start table rows.
  • Set up indexes to be created when data is archived.
  • Establish actions to be executed when data is archived, deleted, or restored.
  • Use the Show Steps function to review how tables are traversed in processing.

Process options

Use process options to establish safeguards for the archive process. You can limit the total number of rows to extract for archiving, choose to defer the deletion of rows from the database, or review a delete list before deleting archived rows from the database.

Delete process

Archived data can be deleted from selected database tables as part of the archive process, or you can delete archived data in a separate step. In either case, you can review and change your selections before deleting data.

Process report

A process report is generated as part of the process. The report contains general information and statistics about the process. The content of the report reflects the data and object definitions that have been archived.

Storage profile

Use a storage profile to define parameters for storing the file on fixed or removable media, and creating a duplicate copy of the file or copying the file to a backup device.