The current work file can be written to a ISAM file using the old @SAVE statement. This may either exist or can be created before the write operation. The work file is retained after writing.
Existing ISAM files with a fixed record length and/or a key length shorter than that defined as the default can only be overwritten using these same attributes if the divergent file attributes have been stored together with the file name and the fixed file link name EDTISAM in the Task File Table before the @SAVE statement is executed.
Existing ISAM files whose ISAM key has been taken over into the data area can be overwritten if the divergent file attributes have been stored in the Task File Table together with the file name, the fixed file link name EDTSAM and the ISAM access method and are written using the @WRITE '/' statement. In this case, it is not possible to specify the file name in the @WRITE statement.
If a new ISAM file is created before the write operation then the default attributes are generally used.
If the ISAM key is to be formed from the line number when a new file is created then it may be necessary to store the file attributes which differ from the default values in the Task File Table together with the file name and the fixed file link name EDTISAM before the @SAVE statement is executed.
If the ISAM key is to be taken from the data area when a new file is created then it may be necessary to store the file attributes which differ from the default values in the Task File Table together with the file name and the fixed file link name EDTSAM and the ISAM access method. The file is then written in using the @WRITE '/' statement. In this case, it is not possible to specify the file name in the @WRITE statement.
The @ELIM statement can be used to delete the ISAM file either fully or partially.