Chapter Working with Data at the Project Level introduced the concept of the data layout file, used to describe data files at the project level for the purpose of generating, among other things, file descriptions, SELECT statements, and file handling code. This chapter discusses ways to define data for use at the program level, using the three graphical interfaces: the Data Set Designer, the Working Storage Editor, and the Linkage Editor.
The Data Set Designer is a tool that determines how a data file will be accessed by a given program, and what information from the corresponding data layout file (DLT) will be used by the program. Data sets created with this designer contain a variety of information, including the file open mode, what form of locking to use, and whether AcuBench should generate the code for file operations (such as READ and WRITE).
The Working Storage and Linkage Editors provide graphical tools that you can use to add Working-Storage and Linkage data items to your program. In addition, when you create certain screen and report items in the graphical designers, AcuBench automatically adds needed data items (such as handles) to Working-Storage and displays these in the Working Storage Editor.