Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome to the world of database and 4th Generations Languages. ACCENT R is a total application development system. It can be used to develop highly sophisticated applications such as the engineering drawing application developed and used at McDonnell Douglas. The 4th GL tools may be used by end users with a little experience to quickly create one time reports. With the command language it can be used to extract adhoc information or do specific Database maintenance operations.
It provides the user with the capability to define procedures in files such as one might do in a OpenVMS command file or a Unix script file.
It also provides a database definition language so flexible there is almost no file or database that it cannot read and write.
The set of direct interactive commands provides the user of the ACCENT R system with quick access to the data based on criteria as well adhoc manipulations for doing such operations as sorts, merges, appends, data entry and system information.
It has a programming language strong enough to reduce any application written in 2nd or 3rd generation languages by as much as a factor of 10.
The applications debugging features include a debugger for step execution of programs, memory tracing, io tracing, statement tracing, simultaneous update traces and execution timing features.
All the 4th Generation Tools provided with ACCENT R are written in the ACCENT R programming language.
ACCENT R documentation is divided into a 2 volume set and several topic manuals. Volumes 1 and 2 cover all the basic structure and features of ACCENT R as outlined below:
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Chapter 1 |
Introduction |
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Chapter 2 |
Naming Conventions |
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Chapter 3 |
Basic ACCENT R Objects |
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Chapter 4 |
Data Definition Language |
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Chapter 5 |
DBL Object Definition Facility |
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Chapter 6 |
Conditional Clauses and Expressions |
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Chapter 7 |
Optional Clauses of the Interactive Commands |
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Chapter 8 |
Interactive Command Language in alphabetic order |
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Chapter 9 |
System Files |
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Chapter 10 |
System Function |
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Chapter 11 |
System Fields |
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Chapter 12 |
Editing in ACCENT R |
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Chapter 13 |
Process Modules |
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Chapter 14 |
Simultaneous Update |
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Chapter 15 |
PM Debug |
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Chapter 16 |
ACCENT R Security |
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Getting Started Manual |
This manual will go through the process of setting up a database and how to use many of the direct command for creating and viewing ACCENT R objects. |
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Simultaneous Update |
This is a guide to developing applications which require multiple users access the database simultaneously. |
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Screen Management Facility |
This manual defines the screen development capabilities available in ACCENT R and how to develop screens and interact with the programming language. |
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A |
Error Detection and Testing |
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B |
Reserved Words |
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C |
ACCENT R Maxima |
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D |
ASCII Character Set |
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E |
Numeric Accuracy |
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F |
String Handling |
This manual describes the 4th Generation Tool, DataPaint which can generate a multi-page screen form program without writing code. There are tutorial and reference sections for the developer who will create forms with DataPaint. There are tutorial and reference sections for users, too. A technical reference section is included for customizing the generated Process Modules (PMs).
This booklet contains the condensed syntax and commands of the four volumes in the Professional Desk Reference Set (along with numerous update pages). It is designed to refresh the proficient user’s memory on syntax or options. The Quick Reference Guide is also an important source for many changes, additions, and clarification of commands over many versions.
This booklet contains an introduction to the 4th Generation Tool, Reporter. Reporter can generate complex reports quickly with a simple fill-in-the-blanks approach. A handy reference for the powerful Reporter features is included.
This booklet contains a brief overview of the 4th Generation Tool, Express. Express is menu/window oriented for creating, updating, and reviewing data. The booklet is very straightforward for the novice user.
This manual describes the ACCENT R interface to Oracle and how ACCENT R can manipulate Oracle data. The capabilities of the Oracle relational data base management system (RDBMS) are covered. The manual also describes how ACCENT R’s Open SQL opens the RDBMS to other data base methodologies. A preface containing a technical survey of ACCENT R is included.
This reference card lists the most used ACCENT R ICL (Interactive Command Language) commands with complete syntax for stand-alone DB-MACH2 RDBMS. Other lists contain: System Fields, System Functions, Operators, Data Types, Data Base Library (DBL) object abbreviations, command clauses. Helpful menu and form layout statements are given. Coding notes are also included.
The Reference Manual is a 2 Volume set which covers basic ACCENT R concepts and terms in detail. Basic utilities and interfaces are also covered.
This booklet contains a brief overview of the 4th Generation Tool, MenuMaker. MenuMaker is menu/window oriented for designing menus and menu-driven applications. The booklet guides users through the various procedures used to design a menu.
This manual lists the set of subroutines which allows a 3GL (3rd Generation Language) program to access data in an ACCENT R Data Base Library (DBL). Each subroutine is explained in detail with examples given in Fortran, COBOL, and C.
Accessing and Leaving ACCENT R
Before ACCENT R can be accessed, users must first log into their computer. The ACCENT R site coordinator or data base administrator can explain the login and logout steps for the particular system being used.
Once logged into the monitor level of the system, an ACCENT R session can be started by typing:
$ACCENT
The dollar sign ($) is usually the prompt symbol for OpenVMS. Some systems may vary slightly so these steps should be verified for the specific system being used.Alternatively, ACCENT R may be accessed through a command or script file.
An asterisk (*) indicates that the ACCENT R command level has been reached. ACCENT R is ready to accept a command.
The next step is to declare a Data Base Library. See the table of contents as to where to find a description of Data Base Library, and how to use it. To exit ACCENT R and return to the system level, type:
*QUITThe prompt symbol will be displayed which indicates control has been returned to the system level. For application developers who wish to control the end users access to the system and programs, ACCENT R provides all the features required to control the entire session from logging in, to leaving the system.
ACCENT R's Guide is a menu-driven system to help novice users move through the many ACCENT R features. Users may run previously defined applications (reports, screen entry systems, etc.), access one of the 4th Generation Tools (DataPaint, Reporter, Express, MenuMaker), run Print, Lister, and other utilities, invoke ACCENT R's Mentor and Tutor tutorial facilities, or exit to the Interactive Command Level (ICL).
To enter Guide, type:
* GUIDE
This tutorial is available to provide information about ACCENT R, the 4th Generation Tools, ACCENT R's stand-alone Relational Data Base Management System, DB-MACH2, as well as a description of the Host Language Interface (HLI), RMS, and the SQLgateway to Oracle. Also available is a screen-based application (including source code) that demonstrates ACCENT R's Screen Management Facility (SMF).
To access Mentor, type:
* MENTOR
Unlike Mentor's informational approach, Tutor allows the user to enter and extract data, execute commands, and actually use many of the commands in ACCENT R's Interactive Command Language (ICL). Through practical application, new users can quickly learn to extract, enter, alter, and manipulate data. Also, simple reports written in ACCENT R's Structured Programming Language (SPL) help introduce new users to ACCENT R programming.
To access Tutor, type:
* TUTOR
Quiz is an ACCENT R sample application involving a fun question and answer game.
To access Quiz, type:
* QUIZ
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EXPLANATION |
EXAMPLE |
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[item] |
Items inside square brackets are optional. |
[USE DOMAIN name] [SHOW clause] |
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[ item; item ] |
Items inside curly brackets are required. |
[ SEARCH; PROCEED;NO ORDER ] |
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{ item; item } |
Items inside a pair of brackets are optional, select one from the list. |
{ QUICK; CLEAN } |
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( item; item ) |
A parentheses means that any number of the listed items may be chosen, but at least one must be chosen. |
( HEADINGS; PAGING; FILL ) |
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\\ \\ |
An item within double backslashes can be repeated multiple times. Commas must separate repetitions. |
SHOW \\fields\\ |
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… |
The item can be repeated multiple times. No commas are used. |
UPDATE WITH ds_name MATCH {BY; ON} clause … |
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/ / |
Clarity word or string that has no effect is placed in slashes. |
SHOW/ING/ |
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<CR> |
Press the carriage return key. |
EXTRACT<CR> |
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"string" |
A literal string; a connected series of characters. Single or double quotes are required. |
"REPORT DATE" |
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Uppercase, bold words must be entered in the command or statement exactly as shown |
USE NO DBL |
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Lowercase, italicized words are user-defined names. |
pm_name |
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[:id] |
Suffix that identifies a master DS (:M), a transaction DS (:T) or an auxiliary DS (:designator) |
@ds_name [:id] |
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ACCENT R OBJECT SYMBOLS |
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CM - Command Module CF* - Control File CS - Code Segment DBL* - Data Base Library DI* - Data Index DS* - Data Set FS* - Find Subset |
GS - Global Storage ID - Index Definition PM - Process Module SD - Schema Definition SF* - System File SI - System Information |
These are the objects which make up the ACCENT R development environment that you will become familiar with as you learn more about the total system.
Items with an asterisk are stored in separate system files.
Commands may be abbreviated to the minimum number of characters needed to uniquely identify them.
Typing an ampersand (&) just before a carriage return allows a command or statement to be continued onto the next line. The ampersand (&) must be the last character on the line before the carriage return in order to indicate that the new line is part of the same command.
ACCENT R accepts both uppercase and lowercase letters throughout. In both commands and statements, ACCENT R uses upper and lower case as equal.
Comments may be used on a command or statement line by entering an exclamation point (!). ACCENT R ignores anything on the line past the exclamation point.
In the event that you require assistance with ACCENT R, please contact technical support as follows:
NIS, INC.
12995 THOMAS CREEK ROAD
RENO, NEVADA 89511775-852-0640
775-852-0677 - FAX