Conference ilbbak::ibi_focus

   Is this something new to FOCUS.  I just started using FOCUS (version 5.2.1)
and to create a Master File Description I use the utility FILETALK.  I
didn't see any mention of AUTODOC in the manuals that I have.  




                                         KCex

    If you comes in FOCUS and says
    
    >>EX AUTORMS
    
    you will come in a mask where you've to put in
    
    	the MASTER FILE NAME
    	the CDD-DICTIONARY-NAME and CDD-RECORD-NAME
    	the FILE-NAME
    	the DIRECTORY-NAME
    
    and AUTORMS will get the CDD-record and create a Master File
    definition.
    
    If you send me your address I will send you 3 pages documentation about
    it.
    
    But it looks AUTORMS works not very successful ... (see 260.0).
    
    Peter

Sigh (! :-) ),

After trying things for ages, we came up with this cookbook approach. Not
everything as described may be necessary etc, but it sort of works.

   a. Have your record definition set up in the CDD. 
      eg. in CDD$TOP.DTR$USERS.ARMSTEST_RECORD (ARMSTEST = AutoRMSTest)

   b. Have a directory and file DEVICE:[DIR.SUBDIR]SAMPLE.DAT that 
      REALLY corresponds to this record definition with REAL data in it.

   c. Set default to the directory DEVICE:[DIR.SUBDIR].

   d. Invoke FOCUS and enter EX AUTORMS on the >>-prompt. It gives 
      the following screen:

          
           CDD FILE DESCRIPTOR FACILITY FOR FOCUS/RMS    
                       VAX/RMS VERSION                   
              INFORMATION BUILDERS, INCORPORATED         
          

                                               My comments

FOCUS MASTER FILENAME    >SAMPLE               Don't put .MAS there's
                                               not enough space anyway.

CDD RECORD NAME: 

CDD$TOP.DTR$USERS.ARMSTEST_RECORD              Use the full spec, from
                                               CDD$TOP all the way down 
                                               to the record definition.

DATA FILENAME    >SAMPLE.DAT                   file spec, include extension.
DIRECTORY NAME   >DEVICE:[DIR.SUBDIR]          dir spec, include device and
                                               square brackets.

       PLEASE INPUT A NON-BLANK ENTRY FOR "CDD RECORD NAME"
       AND "FOCUS MASTER FILENAME"

         DEPRESS PF3 KEY TO TERMINATE PROCEDURE


   e. You'll (hopefully) get some PURELY INFORMATIONAL messages like:

Enter definition file name:

Enter definition file name:
Enter directory of definition file or blank for default:
*** Creating file SAMPLE.MAS.
*** 33 fieldname(s) truncated to 12 characters.
%DELETE-I-FILDEL, USER7:[SIM_LEE.AUTORMS]CDDTOMAS.INP;1 deleted (3 blocks)
%DELETE-I-FILDEL, USER7:[SIM_LEE.AUTORMS]CDD.COM;1 deleted (3 blocks)
... [ and some other stuff that flashes by ] ...   
                                   
      then
              
           CDD FILE DESCRIPTOR FACILITY FOR FOCUS/RMS    
                       VAX/RMS VERSION                   
              INFORMATION BUILDERS, INCORPORATED         
          
           THIS PROCEDURE HAS TERMINATED SUCCESSFULLY...

               MASTER FILE DESCRIPTION =  SAMPLE

      ENTER 'Y' TO RUN THIS PROCEDURE AGAIN  >N          (Enter N)

   f. Finally, you may have to do some editing on the resultant *.MAS. 
      Our list looks like this:

        1. Change SUFFIX=ISAM to FILENAME= whatever, SUFFIX=ISAM 

        2. Change ACTUAL=Z%% to ACTUAL=A%%

        3. Change USAGE=D%% to USAGE=A%%

        4. Change SEGNAME=ROOT,$ to SEGNAME=whatever,$

        5. Remove decimal points and places from ACTUAL=P%.*,
           ie. change to ACTUAL=P%

        6. Change FIELDNAME=* to FIELDNAME=whatever is needed (FILLER?),
           wherever it occurs.

        7. Remove DESC field wherever it is not meaningful.

        8. Change SUFFIX=ISAM to SUFFIX=FIX if it still won't work.

Good luck, 

Sim Lee.