You can use BOUTLOAD to perform the following functions:
copy record types from a database to output files
delete record types from a database
unload record types from a database to output files.
Furthermore, all records of a record type stored in one realm can be copied to an output file.
It is possible to delete the contents of an entire database and then use BOUTLOAD to reformat the database.
When copying and unloading, BOUTLOAD stores the records of each specified record type in one output file each. These output files can at the same time be used as input files for BINILOAD.
BOUTLOAD copies or deletes the records of the specified record types in a single sweep, i.e. it not only handles several record types concurrently, but also fills the output files concurrently. In both cases, the consistency of the database is maintained.
Copying of record types with set information output is also possible parallel to a DBH run with retrieval access or with a shadow database.
Copying without set information output is also possible parallel to the DBH, provided the database is attached and has not been updated since mounting and up to termination of the BOUTLOAD run. You must employ appropriate organizational measures to ensure that this condition is respected. It is not checked by BOUTLOAD.
Copying record types (COPY-RECORD)
One or more, or all record types can be copied from a database in a BOUTLOAD run.
If no output files have been created, they are created by BOUTLOAD: one output file per record type.
The database remains unchanged.
BOUTLOAD reads the records in the physical sequence in which they are stored in thedatabase.
BOUTLOAD copies the user part of the database record. Compressed records are decompressed; records with variable items are filled with blanks to their maximum length; the length item for the variable item is maintained. BINILOAD cannot process a file generated by BOUTLOAD with variable items.
The structure of the output record is described on "Preparing the output files and the BOUTLOAD run".
Copying with SET-INFORMATION=NO is also possible for an inconsistent database.
Copying records of one record type from one realm (COPY-RECORD, REALM-NAME)
It is also possible in a BOUTLOAD run to copy the records of one or more record types from only one realm. When this is done, the area reference is not stored in the output records.
If you have not created any output files, they are created by BOUTLOAD, one output file per record type.
The realm remains unchanged.
Deleting record types (REMOVE-RECORD)
One or more record types can be deleted from a database in a BOUTLOAD run. The record types are deleted together with all pointers to the records in associated tables, owner records and DBTT entries.
When multiple record types are to be deleted, BOUTLOAD deletes them all simultaneously in a single pass through the database. The hierarchy in the database (member-owner relations) must be observed: Member record types must be deleted either before or together with the owner record types.
Unloading record types (EXPORT-RECORD)
One or more record types can be unloaded from a database in a BOUTLOAD run.
This function is a combination of the copy and delete functions. As when deleting, the hierarchy in the database must be observed.
In the case of record types whose records are distributed across several realms, it is not possible to unload records from only one realm.
When unloading all record types the database is reformatted, just as when deleting all record types.
AFIM logging is permitted for the EXPORT-RECORD function if individual record types are specified, but not for EXPORT-RECORD *ALL. If you specify EXPORT-RECORD *ALL, you will need to first turn off AFIM logging with BMEND if required.
Deleting and unloading all record types from a database
(REMOVE/EXPORT-RECORD,RECORD-NAME=*ALL)
It is possible in a BOUTLOAD run to delete or unload all record types from a database. When this is done the database is reformatted. The schema and subschema structures of the database are retained. The FPA pages, DBTTs, CALC pages and anchor records are relocated
(see "BFORMAT", "Formatting user realms with BFORMAT").
A formatting run can be performed only if all realms of the database are available.
Formatting with REMOVE-RECORD,RECORD-NAME=*ALL is also permitted for an inconsistent database (e.g. following abnormal termination of a BOUTLOAD run).
The current setting for the online DBTT extensibility of the record types is retained.
Rights of access with the individual functions
only | RETRIEVAL | EXCLUSIVE | |
copy | - | x | - |
delete | x | - | x |
unload | x | - | x |
Table 25: Rights of access with individual functions
If a database is to be completely unloaded, for reasons of efficiency it is often advisable to first execute multiple BOUTLOAD runs in parallel with the copy function and thereafter to execute a BOUTLOAD run with the delete function.