fis-gtm/sr_port/gde.hlp

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1 Overview
GDE Overview
The GT.M Global Directory Editor, GDE, is a tool for creating,
examining, and modifying Global Directories (GDs). A Global Directory
is a file that identifies:
o What global variables go to what database files
o The size limits for names and values of global variables
o Other database characteristics
o If and what type of journaling should take place
All MUMPS programs that use the same Global Directory share all the
same global variables, unless the Global Directory uses environment
variables for which users have varying definitions. The local
variables are accessible only among programs executed within a single
process scope.
2 Functions
GDE Functions
The main functions of the Global Directory Editor are to:
o Define the mapping of global variables to database files
o Define the character limitations of global variable names and
records
o Provide the MUMPS Peripheral Interchange Program (MUPIP) with
characteristics (e.g., -ALLOCATION size) used in creating and
extending a database file
o Define whether a database file should be journaled and how
o Define the -ACCESS_METHOD used to access the database files and
other database characteristics
2 Mapping
Mapping
Defining a "map," i.e., where GT.M stores a global variable,
requires defining, not only the NAME of the global variable and the
database FILE in the Global Directory, but also the REGION and
SEGMENT.
A REGION is a logical structure that holds information such as key-
and record-size about a portion of a database. GT.M and the
operating system handle data stored in a REGION together by storing
it in the same place or places, backing it up as a unit, etc. A
REGION must map to a SEGMENT.
A SEGMENT defines additional database storage characteristics not
required for UNIX files. A SEGMENT must map to a FILE. The SEGMENT
exists primarily for future design considerations, when a
one-to-one correspondence between the REGION and SEGMENT will no
longer be required.
The connection in the map between a name and a file is very
important and is used by the run-time system and most GT.M
utilities. Specifying a map requires entering (a) NAME(S) with a
connection to a REGION, a REGION with a connection to a SEGMENT,
and a SEGMENT with a connection to a database file. The commands
may be issued in any order, but the final result must be a complete
logical path from name to file.
NAME(s) ---> REGION ---> SEGMENT ---> FILE
2 Default_GD
Creating a Default Global Directory
The Global Directory Editor creates a quick default Global
Directory for purposes such as development and testing work. A
default Global Directory also serves as a starting point or
template for a custom Global Directory.
To create a default Global Directory structure, invoke and
immediately EXIT GDE. GDE creates a Global Directory mapping of all
NAMEs to the REGION DEFAULT, the default REGION to the SEGMENT
DEFAULT and the default SEGMENT to the default file-name MUMPS with
the default file extension of .DAT.
2 Custom_GD
Creating a Custom Global Directory
When a default Global Directory does not meet your needs, you need
to customize a Global Directory. Usually you customize the Global
Directory when you define your production database file. This
enables you to optimize the sharing and location of your data.
To create a custom Global Directory, invoke GDE and issue the
commands necessary to build the desired Global Directory. For more
information about mapping, refer to the "How to Map Global
Variables" section.
2 GTM$GBLDIR
Defining the gtmgbldir Environment Variable
GT.M identifies the current Global Directory by the environment
variable gtmgbldir. GDE, MUPIP, LKE, DSE and the GT.M run-time
system use this environment variable to identify the file used as
the Global Directory. The run-time system normally uses this
environment variable, but may also access a Global Directory by
setting $ZGBLDIR or the extended global reference ([]) syntax.
If you maintain multiple Global Directories, define gtmgbldir to
the Global Directory you currently want to use. You may want to
define gtmgbldir in your login file.
Example
$ gtmgbldir=prod.gld
$ export gtmgbldir
1 Command_syntax
Command Syntax
The general format for GDE commands is:
command [-object-type] [object-name] [-qualifier...]
ex: -NAME Name-space -region-qualifier...
-REGION Region-name -region-qualifier...
-SEGMENT Segment-name -segment-qualifier...
where:
Object-type Indicates whether the command operates on a
-N[AME],
- R[EGION] or -S[EGMENT].
Object-name Specifies the name of a N[AME] space, R[EGION] or
S[EGMENT]. Object-names of different types may
have the same name.
Name-space Specifies a name or name prefix that maps to a
REGION. Names may include the wildcard operator *
as a suffix.
Region-name Specifies a REGION name.
Segment-name Specifies a SEGMENT name.
Qualifier Indicates a command or object qualifier.
The format for each command specifies required qualifiers for the
command.
The @, EXIT, HELP, LOG, QUIT and SPAWN commands do not use this
general format. For the applicable format, refer to the section
explaining each of these commands.
Comments on the command line may be delimited by an exclamation mark
(!). An exclamation mark not enclosed in quotes (") causes GDE to
ignore the rest of the input line.
1 at-sign
@
The @ command executes a GDE command file. Use the @ command to run
stored GDE command sequences from an interactive session.
The format of the @ command is:
@ file-name
The file-name specifies the command file to execute. GDE provides the
default file extension ".COM" in creating the file-name.
GDE executes each line of the command file as if the line had been
typed at the terminal.
Example
GDE> @standard
This command transfers the GDE input to STANDARD.COM in the current
default directory. STANDARD.COM should contain GDE commands; any
comments should start with an exclamation mark (!).
1 ADD
A[DD]
The ADD command inserts a new NAME, REGION, or SEGMENT into the Global
Directory.
The format of the ADD command is:
A[DD]-N[AME] name-space -R[EGION]=region-name
A[DD]-R[EGION] region-name -D[YNAMIC]=segment-name [-region-qual...]
A[DD]-S[EGMENT] segment-name -F[ILE_NAME]=file-name [-segment-qual...]
The ADD command requires specification of an object-type and
object-name. GDE supplies default values for qualifiers not supplied.
Name-spaces and file namesare case-sensitive while other objects are
not.
1 CHANGE
C[HANGE]
The CHANGE command alters the NAME to REGION or REGION to SEGMENT
mapping and the environment for a REGION or SEGMENT.
The format of the CHANGE command is:
C[HANGE]-N[AME] name-space -R[EGION]=new-region
C[HANGE]-R[EGION] region-name [-region-qualifier...]
C[HANGE]-S[EGMENT] segment-name [-segment-qualifier...]
The CHANGE command requires specification of an object-type and
object-name.
Changes to the database environment characteristics take effect the
next time you create a new file with the MUPIP CREATE command. Mapping
changes take effect for subsequent image activation, for example
following the next RUN or MUMPS-DIRECT command.
1 DELETE
D[ELETE]
The DELETE command removes a NAME, REGION, or SEGMENT from the Global
Directory. The DELETE command does not delete the actual data from the
database but can make the data inaccessible to MUMPS images using the
resulting directory.
The format of the DELETE command is:
D[ELETE]-N[AME] name-space
D[ELETE]-R[EGION] region-name
D[ELETE]-S[EGMENT] segment-name
The DELETE command requires specification of an object-type and
object-name.
Deleting a NAME removes the NAME to REGION mapping. Deleting a REGION
unmaps all NAMES mapped to the REGION. Deleting a SEGMENT unmaps the
REGION mapped to the SEGMENT.
Map the deleted names to another REGION or the deleted REGION to
another SEGMENT using the CHANGE command.
The default name-space (*) can not be deleted.
1 EXIT
E[XIT]
The EXIT command writes all changes made in the current GDE editing
session to the Global Directory.
The format of the EXIT command is:
E[XIT]
GDE performs a full verification test (VERIFY) on the data. If the
verification succeeds, GDE writes the new Global Directory to disk and
issues a verification message.
If the verification fails, GDE displays a listing of all unverifiable
mappings and waits for corrections. Make appropriate corrections or
leave the Global Directory in its original, unedited state by using
the QUIT command.
If you have not made any changes to the Global Directory, GDE does not
create a new Global Directory.
1 HELP
H[ELP]
The HELP command explains the GDE commands. The format of the HELP
command is:
HE[LP] [keyword...]
Specify the GDE command for which you want information at the Topic
prompt. The help facility also provides an "Overview."
Use <RETURN> or <CTRL Z> to return to the GDE prompt.
1 LOCKS
LOC[KS]
The LOCKS command specifies the REGION into which GT.M maps locks on
names not starting with ^. GDE maps locks on global names (starting
with ^) to the region of the database specified for that name.
The format of the LOCKS command is:
LOC[KS] -R[EGION]=region-name
The LOCK -REGION= qualifier allows specification of a region for local
locks. By default, GDE maps local locks to the default region DEFAULT.
Example
GDE> LOCK-REGION=MAIN
This command maps all locks on resource names that don't start with
"^" to region MAIN.
1 LOG
LOG
The LOG command creates a log file of all GDE commands and displays
for the current editing session. Because the system places an
exclamation point (i.e., the comment symbol) before all display lines
in the log, a log can be used with the @ sign as a command procedure.
The format of the LOG command is:
LOG
LOG -ON[=file-name]
LOG -OF[F]
The LOG command without a qualifier reports the current status of GDE
logging. The LOG command displays a message showing whether logging is
in effect and the specification of the current log file for the GDE
session.
The log facility can be turned on and off using the -ON or -OFF
qualifiers any time during a GDE session. However, GDE closes the log
files only when the GDE session ends.
The -ON qualifier has an optional argument of a file-name, which must
identify a legal UNIX file. GDE uses the default file extension
".LOG". If LOG -ON has no file-name argument, GDE uses the previous
log file for the editing session. If no log file has previously been
specified during this editing session, GDE uses the default log file
GDELOG.LOG.
1 QUIT
Q[UIT]
The QUIT command ends the current editing session without saving any
changes to the Global Directory. GDE does not create an updated Global
Directory file.
The format of the QUIT command is:
Q[UIT]
If the session made changes to the Global Directory, GDE issues a
message warning that the Global Directory has not been updated.
1 RENAME
R[ENAME]
The RENAME command allows changes of a NAME, the name of a REGION or
the name of a SEGMENT.
The format of the RENAME command is:
R[ENAME]-N[AME] old-name new-name
R[ENAME]-R[EGION] old-reg-name new-reg-name
R[ENAME]-S[EGMENT] old-seg-name new-seg-name
The RENAME command requires specification of an object-type and two
object-names.
When renaming a REGION, GDE transfers all NAME mappings to the new
REGION. When renaming a SEGMENT, GDE transfers the REGION mappings to
the new SEGMENT.
1 SETGD
SE[TGD]
The SETGD command closes out edits on one Global Directory and opens
edits on another.
The format of the SETGD command is:
SE[TGD] -F[ILE]=file-name [-Q[UIT]]
The -FILE=file-name qualifier identifies the new Global Directory.
When you provide a partial file-name, GDE uses the current default
directory and defaults the type to .GLD.
The -QUIT qualifier specifies that any changes that have been made to
the current Global Directory are not written, i.e., are lost, during
the change of Global Directory.
A SETGD changes the Global Directory on which the GDE edits act. If
the current Global Directory has not been modified or the -QUIT
qualifier appears in the command, the change simply occurs. However,
if the current Global Directory has been modified, GDE verifies the
Global Directory, and if the verification is successful, writes that
Global Directory. If the verification is not successful, the SETGD
fails.
1 SHOW
SH[OW]
The SHOW command displays information about NAMEs, REGIONs and
SEGMENTs.
The format of the SHOW command is:
SH[OW] -N[AME] [name-space]
SH[OW] -R[EGION] [region-name]
SH[OW] -S[EGMENT] [segment-name]
SH[OW] -M[AP] [R[EGION]=region-name]
SH[OW] -T[EMPLATE]
SH[OW] -A[LL]
The object-type is optional. -MAP, -TEMPLATE, and -ALL are special
qualifiers used as follows:
o -MAP - displays the mapping of all NAMES, REGIONs, SEGMENTs, and
files
o -TEMPLATE - displays the current REGION and SEGMENT templates
o -ALL - displays all templates, the map, and information about each
defined NAME, REGION, and SEGMENT
By default, SHOW displays -ALL.
1 SPAWN
SP[AWN]
The SPAWN command creates a child process for access to the shell
without terminating the current GDE environment. Use the SPAWN command
to suspend a session and issue shell commands such as ls or printenv.
The SPAWN command spawns (forks) a child process with an optional
command string. If SPAWN has no command string parameter, the GDE
command leaves the terminal at the prompt for the shell of the spawned
process.
The format of the SPAWN command is:
SP[AWN] [shell command]
Example
GDE> SPAWN "ls *.DAT"
This command invokes a directory listing of all files in the current
default directory with a .DAT extension.
1 TEMPLATE
T[EMPLATE]
The TEMPLATE command maintains a set of REGION and SEGMENT qualifier
values for use as templates when ADDing regions and segments. When an
ADD command omits qualifiers, GDE uses the template values as
defaults. GDE maintains a separate set of SEGMENT qualifier values for
each ACCESS_METHOD. When GDE modifies the ACCESS_METHOD, it activates
the appropriate set of TEMPLATEs and sets all unspecified qualifiers
to the template defaults for the new ACCESS_METHOD. Use the GDE SHOW
command to display qualifier values for all ACCESS_METHODs.
The format of the TEMPLATE command is:
T[EMPLATE]-R[EGION] [-region-qualifier...]
T[EMPLATE]-S[EGMENT] [-segment-qualifier...]
The TEMPLATE command requires specification of an object-type.
1 VERIFY
V[ERIFY]
The VERIFY command checks the NAME to REGION mappings to insure all
NAMES map to a REGION. The VERIFY command checks REGION to SEGMENT
mappings to insure each REGION maps to a SEGMENT, each SEGMENT maps to
only one REGION and the SEGMENT maps to a UNIX file. The EXIT command
implicitly performs a VERIFY -ALL.
The format of the VERIFY command is:
V[ERIFY]
V[ERIFY] -N[AME] [name-space]
V[ERIFY] -R[EGION] [region-name]
V[ERIFY] -S[EGMENT] [segment-name]
V[ERIFY] -M[AP]
V[ERIFY] -T[EMPLATE]
V[ERIFY] -A[LL]
The object-type is optional. -MAP, -TEMPLATE, and -ALL are special
qualifiers used as follows:
o -MAP - checks that all NAMES map to a REGION, all REGIONs map to a
SEGMENT, and all SEGMENTs map to a FILE
o -TEMPLATE - checks that all templates currently are consistent and
useable
o -ALL - checks all map and template data
VERIFY with no qualifier, VERIFY -MAP and VERIFY -ALL each check all
current information.
1 Qualifiers
GDE Command Qualifiers
The -NAME, -REGION, and -SEGMENT qualifiers each have additional
qualifiers used to further define or specify characteristics of a
NAME, REGION, or SEGMENT. This section discusses these additional
qualifiers.
2 Name_Qualifiers
Name Qualifiers
The only -NAME qualifier, used with the commands ADD or CHANGE, is
the -REGION qualifier.
3 -REGION
-R[EGION]=region-name
Specifies the name of a REGION.
The maximum length is 16 alphanumeric characters.
Example
GDE> add-Name a*-Region=areg
This command creates the name "a," if it does not exist and maps
it to the region "areg."
2 Region_Qualifiers
Region Qualifiers
The following -REGION qualifiers can be used with the ADD, CHANGE
or TEMPLATE commands.
3 -DYNAMIC_SEGMENT
-D[YNAMIC_SEGMENT]=segment-name
Specifies the name of a dynamic SEGMENT. A dynamic segment
allows read-write access.
The minimum length is 1 alpha character.
The maximum length is 16 alphanumeric characters.
3 -KEY_SIZE
-K[EY_SIZE]=size in bytes
Specifies the maximum size of keys, in bytes, which can be
stored in the region.
CAUTION: The key size must be less than the record size. GDE
rejects the command if the key size is greater than the record
size.
The minimum key size is 3 bytes.
The maximum key size is 255 bytes.
By default, GDE uses a key size of 64 bytes.
3 -RECORD_SIZE
-R[ECORD_SIZE]=size in bytes
Specifies the maximum record size, in bytes, which can be stored
in the region.
CAUTION: The key size must be less than the record size. GDE
rejects the command if the key size exceeds the record size.
The record size must be less than half the block size of the
segment to which the region maps. If the record size is not less
than half the block size minus 7 bytes, GDE issues an error
message. To VERIFY or EXIT, you must change the record size.
The minimum record size is 7 bytes.
The maximum record size is 32,508 bytes.
By default, GDE uses a record size of 256 bytes.
3 -NULL_SUBSCRIPTS
-[NO]N[ULL_SUBSCRIPTS]
Indicates whether GT.M allows null subscripts for global
variables stored in the region, i.e., whether GT.M permits
reference such as ^aaa("",1).
By default, REGIONS have -NONULL_SUBSCRIPTS.
3 -JOURNAL
-[NO]J[OURNAL][=journal-option-list]
Specifies whether the database file allows journaling and, if it
does, establishes characteristics for the journal file.
-NOJOURNAL specifies that the database file does not allow
journaling. -NOJOURNAL does not accept an argument assignment.
-JOURNAL specifies that journaling is allowed. -JOURNAL takes
one or more arguments in a journal-option-list. The
journal-option-list contains keywords separated with commas (,)
enclosed in parentheses (). When the list contains only one
keyword, the parentheses are optional.
For more information about journaling, refer to the GT.M
Journaling chapter of the GT.M Administration and Operations
Guide.
4 BEFORE_IMAGE
[NO]BE[FORE_IMAGE]
[NO]BEFORE_IMAGE controls whether the journal should capture
before images of information that an update is about to
modify.
A BEFORE_IMAGE journal permits the possibility of performing
"roll-back" recovery (i.e., Backward Recovery) of the
associated database file. BEFORE_IMAGE increases the load on
I/O and CPU resources and therefore may affect performance.
4 FILE_NAME
F[ILE_NAME]=file-name
FILE_NAME=file-name specifies the name of the journal file.
Journal file-name are limited to 255 characters.
By default, GDE derives the file-name from the database file
name.
By default, GDE uses a journal file type of .MJL.
4 ALLOCATION
A[LLOCATION]=blocks
ALLOCATION=blocks specifies the initial size of the journal
file in blocks. Because frequent journal file extensions
degrade run-time performance, make journal file allocation
ample for a production database file.
When you change the ALLOCATION and do not also specify
EXTENSION, the EXTENSION automatically changes to equal the
ALLOCATION.
The minimum allocation is 10 blocks.
The maximum allocation is 16777216 blocks.
By default, GDE uses an allocation of 100 blocks.
4 EXTENSION
E[XTENSION]=blocks
EXTENSION=blocks specifies the size by which a journal file
extends when it becomes full. EXTENSION=0 prevents automatic
journal file extension. Because frequent journal file
extensions degrade run-time performance, make the journal
file extension ample for a production database file.
When you change the ALLOCATION and do not also specify
EXTENSION, the EXTENSION automatically changes to equal the
ALLOCATION.
The minimum EXTENSION is 0 blocks.
The maximum EXTENSION is 65536 blocks.
By default, GDE uses an EXTENSION of 100 blocks.
4 BUFFER_SIZE
BU[FFER_SIZE]=pages
BUFFER_SIZE=pages specifies the amount of memory used to
buffer journal file output. A larger BUFFER_SIZE usually
smooths and improves run-time performance.
A larger BUFFER_SIZE requires more memory resources, which
may be scarce. A larger BUFFER_SIZE provides more room for
journal records in memory on their way to the disk and
therefore increases the number of update records that may be
lost in a system failure.
The minimum BUFFER_SIZE is enough 512-byte pages to hold 2
GDS database blocks.
The maximum BUFFER_SIZE is 2000 pages.
By default, GDE uses a BUFFER_SIZE of 128 pages.
2 Segment_Qualifiers
Segment Qualifiers
The following -SEGMENT qualifiers can be used with the ADD, CHANGE,
or TEMPLATE commands.
3 -FILE_NAME
-F[ILE_NAME]="filename"
Specifies the file name for a SEGMENT. The filename must appear
in quotes to distinguish its slashes from those of the command
qualifiers. GT.M allows the use of environment variables in the
filename.
The maximum filename length is 255 characters.
By default, GDE uses a file name of MUMPS.
By default, GDE uses a file extension of .DAT.
3 -ACCESS_METHOD
-AC[CESS_METHOD]=code
Specifies the access method GT.M uses to store and retrieve data
from the global database file. The two methods are Buffered
Global (BG) and Mapped Memory (MM).
GDE maintains a separate set of SEGMENT qualifier values for
each ACCESS_METHOD. When GDE modifies the ACCESS_METHOD, it
activates the appropriate set of TEMPLATEs and sets all
unspecified qualifiers to the template defaults for the new
ACCESS_METHOD.
By default, GDE uses an access method of BG.
3 -BLOCK_SIZE
-BL[OCK_SIZE]=size
Specifies the size, in bytes, of each database block on disk.
The block-size must be a multiple of 512. If the block-size is
not a multiple of 512, GDE rounds off the block-size to the next
highest multiple of 512 and issues a warning message.
If the specified block-size is less than the minimum, GDE uses
the minimum block-size. If the specified block-size is greater
than the maximum, GDE issues an error message.
A 1024 byte or 2048 byte block-size serves well for most
applications.
The minimum block-size is 512 bytes.
The maximum block-size is 65,024 bytes.
By default, GDE uses a block-size of 1024 bytes for BG and MM
files.
3 -ALLOCATION
-AL[LOCATION]=size
Specifies the number of blocks GT.M allocates to a disk file
when MUPIP creates the file. For GDS files, the number of bytes
allocated is ALLOCATION size times the BLOCK_SIZE.
The default allocation was chosen for small development
projects. Use larger allocations for production files and large
projects. Because file fragmentation impairs performance, make
the initial allocation large enough to hold the anticipated
contents of the file for a length of time consistent with your
UNIX file reorganization schedule.
The minimum ALLOCATION is 10 blocks.
The maximum ALLOCATION is 16777216 blocks.
By default, GDE uses an ALLOCATION of 100 blocks.
3 -EXTENSION_COUNT
-E[XTENSION_COUNT]=size
Specifies the number of extra GDS blocks of disk space by which
the file should extend. The extend amount is interpreted as the
number of usable GDS blocks to create with the extension. To
calculate the number of host operating system blocks added with
each extension, multiply the number of GDS blocks added by (GDS
block size/host block size); to this amount, add one local bit
map block for each 512-byte block added in each extension, plus
one for any remaining bytes.
The default extension amount was chosen for small development
projects. Use larger extensions for larger files. Because many
file extensions adversely affect performance, set up extensions
appropriate to the file allocation.
BG files may extend automatically when the file is full. A zero
extension size prevents a BG file from automatically extending.
BG files may be, and MM files must be, extended with MUPIP
EXTEND. When a MUPIP EXTEND command does not include a -BLOCKS=
qualifier, EXTEND uses the extension size in the database
header. The extension amount may be changed with the MUPIP SET
command. To require explicit expansion for BG files with MUPIP
EXTEND, set -EXTENSION_COUNT to zero.
The minimum EXTENSION is 0 blocks.
The maximum EXTENSION is 65,535 blocks.
By default, GDE uses an EXTENSION of 100 blocks.
3 -GLOBAL_BUFFER_COUNT
-G[LOBAL_BUFFER_COUNT]=size
Specifies the number of global buffers for a file. Global
buffers serve as part of the database caching mechanisms.
Avoid inadequate settings of this factor. However, if your
system is memory constrained and the database file traffic is
not heavy enough to hold the cache in memory, increasing
GLOBAL_BUFFER_COUNT may induce paging. Therefore, do not
increase this factor to a large value without careful
observation.
The proper number of GLOBAL_BUFFERs depends on the application
and the amount of primary memory available on the system. Most
production databases exhibit a direct relationship between the
number of GLOBAL_BUFFERs and performance. However, the
relationship is not linear, but rather more parabolic, so that
increases past some point have progressively less benefit. This
point of diminishing returns depends on the application. For
most applications, Greystone expects the optimum number of
GLOBAL_BUFFERs to be between 512 and 2048.
Generally, you should increase the number of GLOBAL_BUFFERs for
production GDS databases. This is because GT.M uses the shared
memory database cache associated with each GDS file for the vast
majority of caching.
The minimum for BG is 64 blocks.
The maximum for BG is 4096 blocks.
By default, GDE uses a GLOBAL_BUFFER_COUNT of 1024 blocks.
3 -DEFER
-[NO]D[EFER]
Instructs GT.M whether or not to store updates on the disk
immediately.
DEFER has a significant performance benefit for heavily updated
database files. However, DEFER should only be used for files,
such as those containing temporary storage for reports, which
can be recreated if the system crashes.
By default, GDE makes MM database files -DEFER.
3 -LOCK_SPACE
-LOC[K_SPACE]=size
Specifies the number of pages of space to use for the lock
database stored with this segment. If GT.M runs out of space to
store locks, the system becomes slightly less efficient. The
default amount is generous for most MUMPS applications.
The minimum LOCK_SPACE is 10 pages.
The maximum LOCK_SPACE is 1000 pages.
By default, GDE uses a LOCK_SPACE of 20 pages.
1 Guidelines
Mapping Guidelines
Global Directory maps consist of a hierarchy of NAMEs, REGIONs,
SEGMENTs and FILEs. The following section provides guidelines for
defining and using these mapping components.
2 Names
NAME Guidelines
GT.M uses a NAME to place global variables in a physical database
file.
A NAME:
o Maps to only one REGION in the Global Directory
o Can be a discrete "global" name, e.g., aaa is a discrete global
o Can be a partial name ending with a wild card ("*")
o Must begin with an alphabetic character or a % sign
o Can be 1 to 8 alphanumeric characters
o Is case sensitive
A wild card defines all names starting with the characters of the
partial name. For example, abc*, defines the range of all global
names beginning with the three characters "abc."
2 Regions
REGION Guidelines
GT.M uses a REGION to logically define a portion of the database
with the same characteristics, such as key and record-size. A
REGION maps to a SEGMENT. More than one NAME may map to a REGION. A
Global Directory must have at least one REGION.
A region-name:
o Must begin with an alphabetic character, except for DEFAULT
o Can include alphanumerics, a dollar sign and an underscore
o Can be 1 to 15 characters
GDE automatically converts region-names to upper-case.
By default, GDE uses DEFAULT for the default region-name.
2 Segments
SEGMENT Guidelines
GT.M uses a SEGMENT to define a physical file and access method for
the database stored in that file. A SEGMENT maps to only one UNIX
file. A SEGMENT can be mapped by only one REGION.
A segment-name:
o Must begin with an alphabetic character
o Can include alphanumerics, a dollar sign and an underscore
o Can be 1 to 15 characters
GDE automatically converts segment-names to upper-case.
By default, GDE uses the file name MUMPS for the DEFAULT default
segment. By default, GDE uses the file extension .DAT for database
files.