The following sequence of screen captures lets you see the features of Data Editor at work.
After selecting the file you wish to edit, Data Editor prompts you to provide information about the file. You setup these details by first specifying a COBOL library file that describes the file data. Data Editor analyzes the COBOL record layout so that it can present the data to you field by field.
After analyzing the library, you select the file's organization. Unless you have a special feature in your file, such as the data being in EBCDIC, that's all you need to do as Data Editor can pick up all of the information from the COBOL library and the data file header.
Setting Up Data Edit Sessions
Data Editor then gives you a choice of how to edit the data:
- You can update the file, meaning you can add, delete and change records.
- You can view the file, meaning that no updates are allowed
- You can add to the file, meaning that you can add new records but you cannot change any of the existing data.
When dealing with data files it is important to have these options as you don't want to accidentally change existing data when all you want to do is look at the data, or add some new values.
You also have the option to select what range of records should be loaded from the file, thus speeding up loading and letting you focus on the area of interest.
Editing Using the Record View
The record view lists all the data from a single record. You add and delete records in this view. Notice that the record key is indicated by coloring it in green.
Editing Using the Table View
The table view displays the data in a spread-sheet-like format. This makes it very convenient for comparing values in adjacent or nearby records. You can see in the snapshot below how data editor uses colors to make it clear which records have been updated, deleted or added.
Confirming Updates
Before any changes are saved, Data Editor shows you a summary of the number of updates, additions and deletions so you can confirm that only the changes you intended to make have been made.
Focusing on a Few Fields
Another important feature of Data Editor is the ability for you to display only a few fields - whether or not they are adjacent in the record description. In the snapshot below, two items, RECORD-KEY and RECORD-AMOUNT have been selected.
