Software Product Description ________________________________________________________________ PRODUCT NAME: DEC RdbAccess for VAX RMS on VMS, Version 1.0 SPD 32.88.00 DESCRIPTION DEC RdbAccess for VAX RMS on VMS (RdbAccess for VAX RMS) is a member of the DEC RdbAccess family of database interoperabil- ity products. It permits transparent, read-only access to VAX RMS files via the VAX implementation of the Structured Query Language (VAX Rdb/VMS SQL). It also permits SQL read-only ac- cess to data sets on IBM[R] MVS systems via the DECnet/SNA Data Transfer Facility (DTF). RdbAccess for VAX RMS retrieves the data definitions for the information contained in these files from VAX CDD/Plus. RdbAccess for VAX RMS emulates a relational database, and enables SQL access by combining the source data and its associated definitions. RdbAccess for VAX RMS can be used in conjunction with products such as VAX TEAMDATA, DECdecision, and Rdb/VMS utilities in- cluding interactive SQL. It can also be used in conjunction with VAX Data Distributor and VAX Rdb/VMS SQL/Services as well as 3GL applications with embedded SQL. Components Non-SQL Data Server The Non-SQL Data Server is the component which brings data and their definitions (metadata) together and makes them appear relational. The Non-SQL Data Server enables applications to access this non-relational data in a relational manner using VAX Rdb/VMS SQL. The Non-SQL Data Server supports read-only operations. DIGITAL March 1991 AE-PCL0A-TE DEC RdbAccess for VAX RMS on VMS, Version 1.0 SPD 32.88.00 VAX RMS Driver The VAX RMS driver contains the code specific to accessing VAX RMS files and IBM MVS data sets. It utilizes optimization techniques in accessing the data when appropriate. Features o RdbAccess for VAX RMS provides direct read-only SQL access to VAX RMS files, and to certain IBM MVS data sets (including VSAM) via the DECnet/SNA Data Transfer Facility. For more information, refer to the DECnet/SNA Data Transfer Facility Software Product Description (SPD 27.85.xx). o VAX CDD/Plus is used as the source of data definitions (meta- data). Users either enter the definitions directly into VAX CDD/Plus, or instruct RdbAccess for VAX RMS to use existing definitions that have been created (for example, by products such as VAX DATATRIEVE). o Users can perform relational operations such as joins, se- lects, sorts, and projects. These operations can be done on multiple VAX RMS files, or on multiple IBM MVS data sets. o VAX RMS indexed, sequential and relative files are supported. o VAX RMS record formats (one type per file) are supported as follows: - fixed-length: fully supported - variable-length with fixed length control: ** - variable-length: ** - stream: ** - undefined: not supported ** support for the fixed portion of each record that is defined in VAX CDD/Plus 2 DEC RdbAccess for VAX RMS on VMS, Version 1.0 SPD 32.88.00 o Using RdbAccess for VAX RMS with VAX Data Distributor, VAX RMS data and IBM MVS data sets can be extracted and stored in VAX Rdb/VMS relations. For more information, refer to the VAX Data Distributor Software Product Description (SPD 27.76.xx). o By means of VAX Rdb/VMS SQL/Services application programming interface (API), applications on VMS, ULTRIX, OS/2[R], Mac- intosh[R] and MS-DOS[R] can access VAX RMS files and IBM MVS data sets. For more information, refer to the VAX Rdb/VMS Software Product Description (SPD 25.59.xx). o VAX RMS files and IBM MVS data can be accessed directly from VAX-based third generation language (3GL) programs using the VAX Rdb/VMS data access sublanguages, embedded SQL, SQL module language, or dynamic SQL. These data access sublanguages are the same sublanguages used to access VAX Rdb/VMS data relations and views. The VAX Rdb/VMS development option is required to develop 3GL applications that use RdbAccess for VAX RMS. VAX Rdb/VMS provides SQL precompiler support for languages such as Ada, C, COBOL, FORTRAN, and PL/I. SQL module language can be used with any language that supports the VMS calling standard. Refer to the VAX Rdb/VMS Software Product Description (SPD 25.59.xx) for a complete description of programming language support. o When RdbAccess for VAX RMS is used with VAX TEAMDATA or DECdecision, end users can access VAX RMS and IBM MVS data directly, join it with Rdb/VMS tables, store the results in TEAMDATA, or DECdecision folders, etc. for use in decision support and other personal and departmental applications. o RdbAccess for VAX RMS provides a facility that can trace file access activity, log errors, and help to isolate problems. 3 DEC RdbAccess for VAX RMS on VMS, Version 1.0 SPD 32.88.00 HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS VAX, MicroVAX, VAXstation, or VAXserver configuration as speci- fied in the System Support Addendum (SSA 32.88.00-x). SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS * o VMS Operating System o VAX CDD/Plus o VAX Rdb/VMS * Refer to the System Support Addendum (SSA 32.88.00-x) for availability and required versions of prerequisite/optional software. ORDERING INFORMATION Software Licenses: QL-YQZA*-** Software Media: QA-YQZA*-** Software Documentation: QA-YQZA*-GZ Software Product Services: QT-YQZA*-** * Denotes variant fields. For additional information on avail- able licenses, services, and media, refer to the appropriate price book. SOFTWARE LICENSING This software is furnished under the licensing provisions of Digital Equipment Corporation's Standard Terms and Conditions. For more information about Digital's licensing terms and poli- cies, contact your local Digital office. 4 DEC RdbAccess for VAX RMS on VMS, Version 1.0 SPD 32.88.00 LICENSE MANAGEMENT FACILITY SUPPORT This layered product supports the VMS License Management Fa- cility. License units for this product are allocated on a CPU-capacity basis. For more information on the License Management Facility, refer to the VMS Operating System Software Product Description (SPD 25.01.xx) or the License Management Facility manual of the VMS Operating System documentation set. For more information about Digital's licensing terms and poli- cies, contact your local Digital office. SOFTWARE PRODUCT SERVICES A variety of service options are available from Digital. For more information, contact your local Digital office. SOFTWARE WARRANTY Warranty for this software product is provided by Digital with the purchase of a license for the product as defined in the Software Warranty Addendum of this SPD. [R] IBM and OS/2 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. [R] Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. [R] MS and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corpo- ration. 5 DEC RdbAccess for VAX RMS on VMS, Version 1.0 SPD 32.88.00 [TM] The DIGITAL Logo, CI, DATATRIEVE, DECdecision, DECnet/SNA, MicroVAX Rdb/VMS, RMS, VAX, VAX Ada, VAX BASIC, VAX C, VAX COBOL, VAX CDD/Plus, VAX FORTRAN, VAX Pascal, ULTRIX, VAX TEAMDATA, VMS, VAXcluster, VAXserver, and VAXstation are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. 6